Clarity

Arkansas was wonderful. I got shelled on monstrous climbs over and over again until the last day of riding. The last day was blissful. I climbed with strength and confidence. Pictures are up on my Flickr page.

Now I'm back in St. Louis and riding up hills as if a huge tailwind is pushing me from behind. Hillsboro Roubaix this weekend is going to be AWESOME and I'm glad almost all of my teammates will be racing with me. I am awe-struck at how much our team has improved and grown (mentally, physically, and emotionally).

I found God on Easter Sunday. He's been tapping me on the shoulder for quite some time now and I kept brushing him away like a horse tail to a fly. I think being single and happy has a big part to do with it. No more pushing God away and trying to fill the void with unhealthy situations. I found a really cool non-denominational service I can go to on a weekly basis.

I'm doing so well right now and am excited to see just how much better it can get. I'm moving back into my dad's house temporarily until I figure out which career I will choose. April will be my last month living in South City and I hope to make the best of it. On Monday Trek is flying me into Madison where I will then take a rental car to Waterloo to be interviewed at the factory. Usually when someone flies you in for an interview, it means they want you...but I need to stay modest and impress them with 110% energy. If I get the job, this means I will be living in either Madison or Waterloo, Wisconsin. It's sad knowing I will move from friends here in St. Louis, but also exciting for me to make a change and do something different. Trek is an amazing company and it's time for me to settle down and get a career. This would be my first job being paid salary...I'm already 24...I can't believe I am saying this!!

Anyways, I'm training my ars off and feeling pretty incredible.

Tonight - ride-a-long with my city cop friend. Night shift baby. SWEET!

Arkansas, here we come!

I'm waking up tomorrow morning around 5am in order to pick up Nick and Greg to head down to Arkansas. Wow, we are going to have alot of shit in my car! 3 bikes up top, tons of food, gear, wheels, etc.

It seems that the Hell's Kitchen requires the Women's Open field to ride the 20.2 mile course twice. This includes climbing a 15% grade twice. Below is a photo of Pro men cyclists walking up a 20% grade in Italy, just to give you an idea.



Whatever, I'm already on top of this race. I'm excited for this whole trip, I really cannot wait for it to start and don't want it to end. Go big or don't go at all. FTPH!

Keeping Down With the Jones'

What's up with the saying, "keeping up with the Jones'"? Why can't we try harder to have less than our neighbors? In a perfect world, neighbors would be discussing the latest light bulb that uses less electricity, the new solar panels installed throughout their home, the huge organic garden in their backyard, and the new toilet they invested in that uses less water when flushing.

This is just something I thought of on my ride to meet the boys at Kaldi's this morning.

Speaking of riding...I'm getting stronger - physically and mentally. I have more confidence because I am stronger/I am getting stronger because I have more confidence. I'm glad I invested in a coach.

One week until Greg and Nick and I leave for Arkansas. We will be training with Brian and Michelle Jensen and some other fellow female racers. Hell's Kitchen will be a tough race but it will also be good to add some intensity with hills onto my plate. I'm just excited to have a skilled coach, an amazing team, and a great season ahead of me.

Onto more riding, sleeping, eating, and enjoying my friends and free time.