"We have to go for what we think we're fully capable of, not limit ourselves by what we've been in the past." -Vivek Paul

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Collegiate Track Nationals

500m Podium

Italian Pursuit
Points Race

Match Sprint Podium
What a complete switch of style.
Last year...2nd place in the points race. This year, i got lapped in the points, came back the next day, and was the 1st 200m qualifier, and got 2nd in the match sprints.
Outstanding. Complete change, switch around.

As I sit here in the Indianapolis airport, i can't begin to explain the week I've had. It's been so much fun. The Fort Lewis Team that we brought to nationals was outstanding. Such a great group dynamic, and this year, we had our coach Matt Shriver join us, for his first track nationals ever.

The crew consisted of: Coaches Matt Shriver and Ian Burnett, Dana Alia, Cody Stephenson, Griffin Easter, Andrew Llewellyn, Brian Morra, Ryan Cleveland, Allie Johnson, Sarah Sturm, Lauren Taylor, and myself. We also had David Llewellyn there, driving the Uhaul truck around with our bikes, bags, rollers, and everything you can name. We couldn't have done it without him.

The first day, we had the 3k, 4k, 500m, and 1k. This year, i placed 4th in the 500m with a time of 39.3, which is a whole 1.6 seconds faster than my time last year, which gave me 7th place.

We placed 5th in the Italian Pursuit this year, but we also had to do it twice because of a mechanical on the first lap of our first race.

Our girls team pursuit finished 3rd place.

And the most important race of all was the match sprint, where i placed 2nd. It was awesome. My first real match sprint experience, and i am extremely happy with that result. I qualified first for the 200m with a time of 13.06 which was .3 seconds faster than the next qualifier. And as the rounds went, i won the first and second round. Then we had an evening break, which then resulted in the semis and finals, which were both a possibility of 3 rides.

In my semi, i was matched against Stephanie Torres. She won the first ride, and i won the next two, sending my onto the finals. Then in the final round, i was paired against Jennifer Purcell, resulting in her winning the first two rounds. But it was a great ride, against a really fast and accomplished rider.

I finished up 4th in the individual omnium, which consisted of my 4th place 500m, absolutely horrible points race, and 2nd place match sprint.

So, now, my parents keep asking me, where are you now? What are you doing? Where are you heading? What exactly are you going to do about school? haha. Well, to answer those questions...I am in Indianapolis, i am heading to LA for elite nationals, and I'm going to work my butt off when i get back to Durango, just so i can start riding that cx bike :)
Italian Pursuit Team

Match Sprint Final

Individual Omnium Final
Not a bad nationals :)
(500m, team pursuit, italian pursuit, individual omnium, team omnium, and match sprint)

FLC Girls Pursuit Team

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Never Hesitate

Recently, as far as going to school, driving, racing...the whole shebang...I've discovered, no matter what it is in life, never hesitate.
Well, if you are going to say something stupid, please hesitate.
But if it's passing a car on the highway, if you want to pass, just do it. Don't hesitate. When you hesitate, that's when the oncoming car appears, and it's too late.
When you're racing and someone goes for it, go! Don't wait, don't ponder that one last second. That last second is what is going to cost you the win.

So, now that i am less than a week away from heading to my third collegiate track nationals, i go in with this mindset. Never hesitate. I have more confidence in myself this year than i have ever had in anything else. I have the same feeling I've had going to the line in my junior dragster as a teenager, knowing that my car is so dialed, i know exactly what it is going to run, and i can cut the best light on the tree. That confidence has been instilled in me, from being on the track, from achieving so many of my goals this summer.

Never hesitate.
Never stop dreaming.
Never, never, never give up.


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Way to much stuff i have nothing to do with

So, this post is all about getting rid of stuff i do NOT need.
I have everything listed on facebook...here's a link if you are a friend of mine.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=178091374722

And if not, check out geartrade and see if there's is anything you need that is posted.
Here's a quick list:

Nike Altea Li Carbon Road Shoe Size 39
FSA RD 400 Wheelset 700c : Brand New
Shimano DuraAce Shoe-Size 38
Salomon Skate 9 Pilot Boot
Timbuk 2 Messenger Bag
WTB Deva Thinline
Giant Gateway Comp Carbon Bottle Cage
Mavic Avenir Road Pedals and Cleats
Mavic Race Road Pedals and Cleats
Bontrager Race Lite Wheelset

There will be more later on as well, once i get everything moved in and everything.

So, I am back in Durango, going to classes, getting ready for a tough semester. Classes are going to be interesting, but seeing that it's my third year, i think i've figured out how to balance everything. I'm ready to take the dive and become a track sprinter, so it starts now, and my eyes are on Rio 2016.
So, help me out, and buy something. Or if there is anything you need, let me know. Cause i probably have something you would want. I just haven't unburied it yet :)