I’m in that glorious phase of training and racing. The almighty rest week. Okay, well longer than a week. More like two weeks. (Though I did squeeze in a couple of rides last week in Belgium.) But for all intents and purposes, I’m not training right now. Letting the batteries recharge. I’ve got to say I’m really struggling with jet lag. Normally I don’t have any issues. But this time I’m pretty much wiped out. Last night Marc and I watched the women’s World Champs race and I could barely keep my eyes open (it was 7 p.m.). Suppose this is normal considering I’ve just come off an intense season of racing, training, and traveling.

One thing about the rest period is the free time. I’ve got time on my hands. Loving it. Catching up on reading. Taking long leisurely baths. Getting the house organized. And really just generally enjoying the down time.

Had a super talk with Coach Steve yesterday. We hadn’t talked in a while so we had so much to catch up on. We talked a lot about my experiences in Europe. We both came to the same conclusion – although it was super tough at times – it was the best thing that could have happened to me. We’re going to be mixing things up this season with some different types of training and a switch in racing focus. (No, I’m not going to tell you everything. Not that I can – since we are still getting the plans sorted out.) Needless to say, I’m stoked. My fire is re-ignited. I want to go back to Europe and conquer the courses that gave me stress and headaches this past season.

Heading back to yoga on Saturday morning. So looking forward to it. I am missing the heat of the hot power yoga class. I need to feel that clarifying sweat and warming heat. I’m also looking forward to catching up with my yoga pals.

Okay, not much else really going on. Pretty much in that phase of just letting things roll and see how they play out. I do have to say this cold and snow is a brutal shock to the system. Funny to think that last week, I considered -1 to be a bit chilly!

It really is all about perspective.

I was in the bath, relaxing with a cup of tea and the latest issue of Cyclocross Magazine, when I realized that I neglected to post to this little site. Sorry about that. Lucky for you the best ‘cross magazine in the land sparked my memory.

So I’m back home. Back in Ottawa. There is snow. A lot of snow. And it is cold. No, Tim – I can’t ride outside. It is way too cold for that. So now what? 2008 – 2009 is in the books. Well, I’m looking forward. Planning. Thinking. Rejuvenating. Recovering.

Getting ready for an even better season of training and racing. Last year, I did a lot of road racing. Basically I tried to race every weekend. This might not sound challenging if you live in Belgium where there are two races every weekend for women less than two hours drive away. But here in Ottawa, it can be a challenge to find a race and get to it. Luckily the Quebec racing scene is very strong and there are races pretty much every Sunday. I love road racing. But this year I think I’ll be doing less. My big goals are with cyclo-cross, so if I have to sacrifice some road racing to achieve the ‘cross goals, so be it.

This being said, I’m hoping to find a team to race the Tour de PEI with (hint, hint, hint). I’d even be up for the Montreal-based stage race the week before Tour de PEI (hint, hint, hint). I had listed some road goals and sent them to my coach. But now, I think I need to re-evaluate the road goals and make sure they still fit in with my ‘cross goals.

Cyclo-cross goals. So what are they for 2009 – 2010? Well, the big one is: qualify for the Canadian National team and race at the Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic. I’m working on a list of smaller, intermediary goals as well. I learned the hard way that the “all or nothing” goal system for me does not work – I set one big goal last season and then spent a lot of time floundering on the bike trying to find another goal. Already in this list of intermediary goals: win the Ontario Provincial Cyclo-Cross Championship title again and consistently place in the top 10 at every New England Verge Series race. I’ve got to work out some additional goals – these will come after speaking with coach Steve and with Nick from Summit Consulting.

I’m on a rest/recovery week. So far so good. Struggling a bit with fatigue today (we flew home on Tuesday). I’m feeling refreshed mentally and I’m looking forward to Monday and getting on the trainer. I’ve got my new yoga schedule worked out. I’m reviewing the Precision Nutrition material and will start the program fully on Monday.

I had a dream about cyclo-cross last night. It was so real and vivid, it was actually a bit disturbing. I won’t go into the nitty-gritty but the emotions I experienced in the dream I think were symoblic of the emotions I experienced this cyclo-cross season. I hit super highs and some very low points in my dream. To the point where when I woke up I actually thought I had been crying.

Not sure what this dream means. Never had a dream about cyclo-cross before. But I’m taking it as a positive sign: a sign that the lessons from last season are stored and recorded and that I’m ready. Ready for more hard work, challenges, success, and improvement.

We are at the end. The end of our stay here in Belgium. We arrived here on Dec. 10. And now a fast two months later, we’re leaving. This has been a solid trip. It tested my will and desire. It tested my ambitions. In the end, I came out on top. My will and desire are stronger than ever. My ambition is just the same – still there with a big goal for 2009-2010 cyclo-cross season.

The racing and training here are top notch. Can’t beat the quiet country roads and bicycle paths. The best ride was perhaps a three hour jaunt along the canal. The Tues/Thurs group ride can’t be missed. The ‘cross training is the best – choose a spot: Langdorp, Kasterlee, or Averbode – each location gives you something different.

We’ve made some good friends here. At first the other races are a bit “cool” but after a few races, smiles and conversations are exchanged. By the end you’re having a coffee/warm cecemel/coke after the race and telling “race stories”. The fans – well what can I say about the Belgian fans? They cheer you, the jeer you – in the end, we are racing for them. Without the fans we couldn’t do what we do.

Going to miss this place. If we could get Murphy here, we’d stay. But “real life” beckons.

Stopped by a couple bike stores today to say our good-byes. Everyone said the same thing: “Come earlier next year. Do more racing here.” Sigh. Maybe. Hopefully.

We’ve got everything packed up. Picked up the last gifts and souvenirs. The bikes are safely stowed away in their bike boxes. We managed to cram everything into our baggage.

We’ll miss our Belgian friends. We’ve had some great times. Massive thanks to Jos and Tim for their hospitality. They opened their home to us and we’ve been in their way for the past two months. I subjected Tim to some crazy food – quinoa, scrambled eggs with dijon mustard, natural peanut butter, and a few creative chicken and beef dishes. I learned to really appreciate home made hummus – thanks to Jos. We went on some good rides. I learned some new insights from Tim about training and how to become one of the greats. I’m stoked to come back next year and hear more great stories, learn more lessons, have some more delicious meals. And most importantly share some more laughs.

I’ll be back next year – stronger, faster, smarter, and really hungry for it.

For any of you interested in nutrition and sport, check out these two articles by John Berardi: Lean Eatin’ Part I and Lean Eatin’ Part II.

John Berardi is the man behind Precision Nutrition. I’ve signed up for Precision Nutrition and will be starting on this program when I get home. From the research I’ve done about this way of eating and my own personal experience this past year with clean-eating, I think the Precision Nutrition program takes things a step further ahead.

On this site, I’ll keep you updated with my progress on the Precision Nutrition program. My goals are to loose a bit more weight and to really learn and understand how best to fuel my body for training, racing, and recovery. I’ve come along way in the past season, but there is still some fine-tuning to be done.

(By the way, I’m getting pretty excited for the 2009 – 2010 ‘cross season. My brain is refreshed and recharged and I’m really starting to want to get back training and really getting on track for my season goals.) So much better to be in this present headspace than the one I was in a while ago.

Marc finished the season in fine form – capturing 2nd place in a very hard front race. He and the leader were away from the beginning of the race putting a solid gap behind them. The course featured a couple of steep descents, some twists and turns on the bottom and a hard head section on the pavement.

It was cold and windy. But it was worth it to see Marc race so well. Super proud of him.

Marc has come a long way since our first trip to Belgium last year. Definitely an inspiration and a model for me.

Congrats Marc on an awesome ride today and a very solid 2008 – 2009 cyclo-cross season. More great things are to come for you.