How boring would life be without a bit of ‘over-the-top(less)ness’ from time to time See the revealing story behind the Calendar. The Cyclepassion crew has given us exclusive access to their photo shoots to produce a fun little DVD about the elite women cyclists of Cyclepassion 2011.

I guess I have been a bit spoiled lately. … I forgot how bad racing can hurt when you just are not “on”.  I really hope that is the last bad day for a while!  Still second overall, with plenty of time for a recharged second half of the season.

Monday after the race I spent the day at the Roomers hotel in Frankfurt shooting the 2011 Cyclepassion calendar.  12 hours of work later it was a wrap at 1:30 am.  Modeling IS hard!  I feel like I had a 12 hour pilates session from all the flexing, twisting and posing.  It is going to be great though, and so worth it!

I just woke up and overdosed on caffeine, so that should give me enough energy to do the laundry, shop for food, pay the bills, finish some real estate business and maybe get a ride in.  Then Friday I am off to Texas for the last race before I take two weeks off the bike.  The sun is out in Durango, and an afternoon on the patio might be in order!  Thanks for the support through the not so great weekends, that actually matters the most!

My Dad would always say, “what do you get when you take the “ill” out of Willow?  Wow!”  Guess what, he’s right.  I have never felt happier, calmer, more focused and full of love. That’s not to say I don’t battle my mind every day, I still do.  It’s just now I KNOW that those negative thoughts aren’t “mine” and my power runs deeper than I ever thought it did.

I may not have won the race, but a second place was enough to put me in the World Cup Leaders jersey.  Woohoo!!  Someone is going to have to rip that one off of me if they want it. .. .

I was so in the zone in Houffalize I don’t really even know what happened.  I do know that on the 2nd to last climb I hit Eva’s wheel and had to get off and run. .. . there goes 5 seconds!

there goes 5 seconds. ...

I also know that I was hunting out there, and it was fun.  I was paying attention to how everyone was riding.  Pushing at times, following at times, looking back at times, being smart.

checking out the prey

I am so excited to have the leader’s jersey and so motivated to really seal the deal.  Thanks for watching, thanks for cheering, thanks for believing!

beer for my awesome mechanics