Well, I am racing again!  It has been sixth months since my last race.  Lucky for me, my last race was the World Championships, so I finished ’09 with lots of good feelings and motivation.  Regardless, the first race is still always a surprise. This year, the surprise happened to be a good one!  I finished 3rd in the XC and 1st in the STXC, my first ever short track win.

loved this section of trail in the XC

I am super excited about my form at the present moment.  I started riding my bike the 2nd week of February, so I am really fresh mentally and physically.  Except for five rides in Sedona, my winter rides were all on the road bike.  Two great benefits of that plan are 1) I have an extra gear or two on the mountain bike and 2) I LOVE riding my mountain bike!  I was so excited to race just because it was warm and there was a trail in front of me.  Looks like Winter might just be my secret weapon. ..

I am back in Durango and doing a little recovery from the racing, pollution, and a cold (what?! I never get sick!!) I picked up on the weekend.  Good timing again, as I need a few days rest before some good hard workouts on the weekend.  Next weekend begins a full month of racing in a row.  Guatemala for the Pan Ams, Sea Otter and then two World Cups in London and Belgium.  As good as Winter was to me, it is pretty sweet to see my front yard again!

first short track win!

I am so lucky to be doing what I love!  I have spent 4 months off the mountain bike in Durango.  Cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and road biking have been great for my fitness, but nothing compares to the mountain bike for pure fun.  I have been training in Sedona Arizona with Myles, and I have never felt better.  I have such an appreciation for snow-less singletrack and the company of my favorite person and training partner.  Myles and I had enormous success training together before the Worlds last year, so I feel extra calm going into this season with my secret weapon pushing me to be my best every day.

Some of my favorite things are sunshine, trails, health food, healing, love and experiences.  I am getting it all and more!  I race in two weeks, and I know for sure that being able to wear shorts and no booties will be all the motivation I need to get back to the hurting I love.  I hope March is getting warmer for all of you!