HUGE sigh! I am finally on the plane back to Durango. I am totally exhausted but I am happy! That was the greatest fight of my bike racing career. My goal since last year was to win the World Championships. I started that race not wanting to leave anything out on the track. For me, that included riding the knarly rock section so there would be no question in my mind that I did everything I could to ride as fast as possible.
Myles was a huge help in my line choice. I had a crash on that section practicing the day before the race. I am what you would call “fiery” so I threw quite a temper tantrum. He calmed me down and helped me see a better way to ride. He also walked up to check out the section the morning of the race and came back to let me know it was good to go. I trusted him, and went to the start line with no fear. No fear AT ALL. This already was a victory for me, because this year I have been scared alot. I am a great technical rider, but somehow I had been doubting myself all year. I found myself in alot of lose-lose situations becuase I was too scared to ride a section, and also too hard on myself to ride a B line without beating myself up about it. It is impossible to ride “in the zone” when you are constantly fast forwarding to the “dreaded” section up ahead!
Knight in shining armor
Fear conquered, I led out the start lap and hit the first big climb. A couple girls sneaked in front on the singletrack and I got balled up on the first descent. I crashed into a swiss rider running down the A line and hit the rocks hard. Once I hit the climb I made some passes pretty quick, and was in 3rd behind Catharine before I knew it. The pressure was always on with Maja not far in front and Irina not far behind. I pulled away from Catharine on lap 4 and headed in to the final lap :38 seconds from first with a :15 second gap on 3rd and 4th. I could see Maja up the climb and put my head down to chase. Heading into the rock section my tire slipped and I crashed into the fencing. There goes my :15 seconds. It felt like I was stuck for 5 minutes. When I finally got up Catharine was right behind me with Irina on her wheel. I could not get into my pedal and had to take the B line so I could find a chance to clip in. All 3 of us hit the bottom of the switchback climb together, and just like that I slipped from 2nd to 4th.
I was heartbroken, but only for a second. My Dad was running up the hill on the left and Myles was to my right. He yelled “do NOT give up on a medal!” I looked into his eyes and I swear, I absorbed some of the “red mist” he always saw before his downhill runs. I charged up the climb after them and follwed them into the last piece of singletrack. One more time through the feed zone, a few grass turns and then it was the finish line. I did not think about danger or strategy, in fact, I didn’t think at all. I just stood up and hammered. I passed Catharine on the left before the fly-over bridge and just kept sprinting. I won the bronze! After all that drama in the last 10 minutes, that felt like gold to me.
It was so great to see Myles and my Mom and Dad from the podium! Thank you all so much for believing and supporting me! I really can feel your energy and I really do use it! The 2010 race season has come to a close and now I need to seriously decompress. However, I am already thinking about how great it is going to feel to ride the gap jumps in Champery! 2011 will be sweet. 11 is my favorite number and right now I am sitting in seat 11 A!
Mom and Dad
These pictures say it all. You are loved more than you could ever know. You have your pot of gold!
Comment by Nancy and Johnny — September 7, 2010 @ 12:27 am
Willow, that is a great blog, got me amped just reading it, but to have lived it must have been most awesome. Congrats to you and your family and i look forward to following your racing next year, hooyaa!
Comment by pete — September 7, 2010 @ 12:39 am
Awesome write-up. Congratulations!
Comment by Krista Park — September 7, 2010 @ 1:02 am
That is the best family picture ever! What an exciting end to the season. Love you!
Comment by Sarah and Mickey — September 7, 2010 @ 1:31 am
Much humilty and honor within your feelings about podium. Your father knows his girl! Congrats, looking forward to following your racin in 2011.
Comment by j a c k — September 7, 2010 @ 1:57 am
wow, great race.
we love you Willow, from Chile!
Comment by Gabriel Salazar — September 7, 2010 @ 2:09 am
That was one amazing race, Willow! I have never seen so much spunk and determination in all my life. Inspiring isn’t the right word but it is all that comes to mind. I know your Mom, Dad and Myles are proud of you just as the entire country is proud of you for reaching the podium and never giving up. You’re my hero!
Comment by Richard — September 7, 2010 @ 3:40 am
Congrats on a great year. Here’s to kickin’ some major butt and making next race season even better. Enjoy the time off, you deserve it!
Comment by Damian — September 7, 2010 @ 3:40 am
Great job yesterday! My wife and I watched it online and yelled as loud as if we were there. HUGE accomplishment going from 4th to the podium!!!
Comment by Al & Jill — September 7, 2010 @ 4:41 am
Your perseverence and focus are amazing. You are a wonderful inspiration for women mountain bikers in the U.S. and around the world. Be proud of your accomplishments and let your confidence continue to carry you forward.
Comment by Cissy — September 7, 2010 @ 2:08 pm
w 111 ow—great courage and spunk–congrats
Comment by john koerber — September 7, 2010 @ 3:04 pm
Damn, that is a hot picture of you and Myles kissing. We will post it on our Brain Toniq Facebook page.
Congratulations, Willow.
Scott
Comment by Scott — September 7, 2010 @ 6:16 pm
Good deal Willow! Glad to see you do so well!
Comment by Peter R — September 7, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
awesome job willow….not just for this race, but the whole season. wishing nothing but success and happiness for you for the remaining year and in 2011.
your fans,
danny & shalin b
Comment by danny baggett — September 7, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
I get chills reading that, and reliving it. Definitely one of the coolest last lap battles I’ve ever had.
Comment by Catharine — September 7, 2010 @ 11:15 pm
Great race, Willow!
We had the chance to cheer for you (along with you wonderful family) two weekends in a row.
You put the USA on the World Podium! Congratulations!
Have a great time decompressing, and good luck in 2011. We’ll be there cheering you on!
Rali and Dane
Comment by Rali Larsen — September 9, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
Willow,
You are amazing. I saw you and Catherine battling it out in the later laps. My parents and I made the drive from NH and were cheering from the trail between the rock descent and winding climb. Then at the top of the climb. I saw you coming up that climb the last time and you looked so determined! When I saw the results I couldn’t help but think that it must have been quite a battle between you and Catherine. Great job, you are quite an inspiration. Enjoy the time off and I’ll be cheering for you next year!
Comment by Jeff C. — September 11, 2010 @ 3:23 am
Great Job Willow. Your the BOMB. When the going got tough, the tough got going. Way to put your head down and hammer to the finish. Congrat’s.
Time to SKI. Have a ggreat off season.
Rob Stine
Comment by Robert Stine — September 11, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
Congratulations, you are a true champion. I see they used your picture in the USAC Annual Report!
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/media/2009-USA-Cycling-Annual-Report.pdf
Comment by Randy — September 16, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
Great job! I really appreciate your detailed account. You are on such a high level and are an inspiration. I hope I can channel just a fraction of your focus to help me in upcoming races.
Comment by Alan — September 29, 2010 @ 9:51 pm
Awww-some effort & camaraderie in the family..!
So Sweet of Myles & your dear Parents to have been there fer you, egging you on..! That’s what counts…in addition to our efforts..!
Kudos to YOU, & i really wish you God-Speed in the year-11 ( a Lucky number fer me too..since 11 is a Prime, as I joke to my friends..! )…!!
As of now, just Relax, Breathe easy, n Let Go..!
Love & Best Wishes,
Rags…
Comment by Raghu Ugare — October 1, 2010 @ 10:07 am
Hello Willow! We have plans so that you can be filmed in a 2 day MTB race. Please give us a call. 619-955-7774 With Rogelio Serrano. Congrats on that 2nd place on 2010 on that 29′r! founder@rosendaadventurerace.com
Comment by Rogelio — December 6, 2010 @ 4:54 am