Chains.....

So last week I made the last minute decision to hit up practice at the local track. All day I did the dance in my head "should I, shouldn't I?" Well I sure shouldn't have! I got up there feeling a little burnt from the phoenix trip still, but I knew that I had to put in some work so that I could be better for Oregon in April. The night didn't start off well at all either. First I kept hitting the gate, not just a little tap, but full on hitting it. Now I've probably hit the gate less than 10 times the entire 20+ years I've been racing, so this was frustrating me. I take one more and try to slow my timing up even more and hit it again, this time I jammed my wrist. My frustrations were growing so I decide to take a break, then I notice it's not just me, everyone is hitting the gate. So they they finally realize there is an issue...take off the ram to work on it and I decide I'll wait for the gate to be repaired before I ride. After what had to be at least 45 minutes they get going, right after I say to someone " five more minutes and I'm just going home." I go back up, get a decent snap finally, push it at about 70% to the first turn and start to pedal out of the turn when next thing you know I'm laying on the ground....

I was there for awhile, unable to unclip my left foot (which happens to be the side of the ankle I keep reinjuring), my right leg is numb and I can't move it, my shoulder is twitching, and my visor is in my face. Finally with the assistance of 3 other people, I get up and can't put pressure on my right leg....As I roll off the track I realize that my chain is off. I asses the damage to the bike and then myself...Road rash on my knee and shoulder, a dislocated knee cap, and my shoulder is killing me. This seems to be the year of obstacles for me. But I'm going to keep pushing through.

Watched the USAC championships today on go211.com. My boy nick did it up right getting on the podium for his class!!! next stop for him is another podium in Australia when he gets that World 1. I'm calling it out now!!!!! I'm going to do all I can to get myself there as well!!! Oregon in two weeks...gotta do some training

2nd x's three

Last weekend I headed down to sunny Arizona for the ABA Winternationals. I was a little worried that I wouldn't have a class, the track would be longer than my out of shape self could handle, and that there was a chance for rain! We headed out of NorCal Thursday around noon to get on the road. This would have to go down as one of the better road trips I have taken to a national in recent years. It was a lot of fun.

We got in really early in the morning, checked in and got some sleep. Headed out early to check out the track....as always in excellent condition. Was feeling really good in practice and as I looked around saw nobody else in my class =[ Come Saturday morning I was finally able to take a lap on the new 20" and it felt good....except that I needed to tighten up the clips since they were new. So after 1 lap of coasting and 1 actual gate attempt I went and grabbed the cuiser to get some more warm up laps in. We didn't have a 20" class till sunday, but I ended up with total points on my cruiser. I had Miss Shanda from Canada there to compete with....Each race I'm getting a little bit closer and feeling a little more confident. I ended up with a 2nd.

Sunday total points on both bikes....yikes 6 laps....I'm pretty lacking on my enduranace and was worried this was going to kill me, literally LOL. But I rode really well, well by my standards at least. To some I still need lots of work, but I continue to try and improve at each race.

Unfortunately the very 1st practice back from phoenix I crashed pretty hard at the local track practicing and injured myself pretty good. If I could just keep myself healthy well maybe I could do some quality training and get better! Next national is looking to be in Redmond Oregon-I hope!! Hopefully tomorrow I'm feeling better and can finally train again!!

Phoenix....tihs weekend

Phoenix is just a few short days away and I can't wait. Rain is falling here in California snd I'm ready for some sunshine. Hoping that we will have clear skies, no winds, and some warmth. It's looking to be my first attempt at racing both bikeS! I have yet to get used to my class bike, but if I have my own class I'm going for it. Should have a lot of good racing action with black mountain always being a fast track. It's a little long so I better remember to pack some oxygen and endurance. Good Luck everyone who is going....