So the big day has come and gone. What a day. Lots of impressive racing and athletes out ripping it up at Silvermere (Mol). I must say the World Champs race course is a pretty fun. Starts off with a long straight away on the pavement. 90 degree bend onto the crucial part of the race course – the infamous sand. This is where the first selection is made. Get the hole shot and you are off. Get a late or last row call-up or someone goes down in front of you – and all you get is bottle neck and frustration. So long sand stretch followed by lots of twists and turns. There are some spots in the woods to open up but from what I remember and experienced on Friday, success on this race course has a lot to do with momentum and maintaining it. A few tricky sections – one bump with an exposed root near the pits gave most racers issues. Some deep muddy grooves by the first pit also caused some hang-ups. By the pits more swoops and turns. A little run-up over some log stairs. A really cool and fast sand bowl. More twists and turns and you are back at the pit. Up and over some miniature barriers then it is onto the home stretch.

A great race course for racers and spectators. Speaking of spectators, there were quite a few people out to watch on Saturday. Most impressed with the numbers. So I wasn’t racing on Saturday – my job was to work the pits and to do whatever Marc and Ed needed (mostly stay out of the way and let them focus on racing). I hit the road at around 8:30 and pedaled my little Steven Super-Prestige over to the race course. Nice way for me to start the day and helped me get rid of some the nervous energy I had for my favorite guy. Got there around 10 – hopped in the shower and then it was down to business.

Ed raced at 11:35 so I made my way to the pit with his spare bike and wheels at around 11:00. Last year the pit was so packed I wanted to make sure I had a good spot. We had discussed where I would be in the pit and that I would be ready for a bike change on the first lap if things were jammed up coming by the pit (on Saturday the pit lane was definitely the fastest lane). So standing around the pit watching the earlier race and just soaking things in. When who do I see – none other than Jonathan Page. I starred at him. Thinking is this really JP – in the pits at the Masters World ‘Cross Champs? Yep – he was pitting for a Planet Bike (one of his sponsors) racers. Unfortunately JP’s guy broke his chain on the first lap right by the pit – and he only had spare wheels… So Ed’s race – he was called up last. Yep – dead last. Not cool There were about 4 rows of 10 guys in front of him…. Frustrating as all get out. But Ed did not let him get it down – he simply put his head down and got to business. He rode pretty good and managed to finish in 14th place. The winner of his race simply rode away from the field – we have watched this guy do this in every race. He is a big guy and he just seems to able to power away.

Massive shout out to Kathy Savary for winning her second World Masters Cyclo-Cross Championship title. I didn’t get to see any of her race but Tom S. told me it was an awesome battle between her and a French rider. Kathy was super happy with her race and win. She has had a tough go of it this season – an injury that slowed her start, then a concussion when she was here in Belgium, a calf injury on Wednesday – reasons for anyone not to have a good performance on the day. But Kathy put that all aside and did what she does best. Congrats Kathy!

Marc was up at 1:30. So after Ed’s race I got back to the super van – got the spare bike ready for Marc. Got the spare set of wheels. Gave Marc some sage advice (basically all the things Marc tells me before a race). Made my way back to the pits. Talk about packed. There was no room to move in the pits for Marc’s race. His race had 53 racers. And I think everyone of them had a spare bike! Got a good spot in the pits and got ready for the chaos. Same deal as Ed’s race – be ready for a first lap change. Marc was called up in the third row – so not bad. Admittedly I didn’t get to see much of his race – only what I could see from the pits. But he told me he got a good start and then the chaos in the sand combined with some sharp elbows started. I think Marc rode super well. He never let off the gas. Always digging and working hard. He made his way through a couple of groups – ripping them to shreds in the process. Marc finished 25th. He is disappointed. I’m not – he rode well. He did what he could on the day. It is tough though when so much emphasis is put on one race. It is hard to remember the journey, keep the perspective, and all the rest.

Well, I’m super proud of Marc. He rode well. Really well. Much better than he did last year. He kept his head together and didn’t let things get him down or frustrated. He just kept on truckin’. Good job Marc – awesome ride.

Chilled out for a while after Marc’s race and watched the next couple of races of “young” guys. I cracked and had my first Belgian frites. Oh – they were so good. I normally don’t eat fries but I needed them – really I did! Chatted with Tom S. for a bit and then headed home.

A good day at the races. A tough one as well. Everyone wants to be the best on the big day. This is so hard. The stars really have to align for everything to come together. I’m trying not to get all philosophical here about bike racing but…

Marc and Ed are racing again today. So I’ll be doing the pit work again and cheering them on. Should be another good one.

Thanks for sending all the fast vibes and positive messages to Marc – he and I really appreciate it. Next year we’re going to have to get more of you here to race at Mol and eat some Belgian frites!

Today is the day. The Masters World Cyclo-Cross Championships. Big race day for Marc. I’m super stoked and pumped up for him.

(So this post is about the race today, but I need to get something out of my head first…)

Jonathan Page has been cleared. Yes! I’m happy for him and his family. I’m a big JP fan. This guy has class and character. A lot of American ‘cross fans like to rip JP and actively do not support him. Why? I don’t really understand it. JP represents what we should all aspire to. He found his passion. He set a goal. He determined how best to achieve this goal. And he acted on it. He moved to Europe without any support and set up camp. He raced hard. Learned some tough lessons. But kept on coming back. Digging deeper and never accepting mediocrity. But still American race fans resent him. I just don’t get him. JP is doing it. He took the risks and did the real suffering. It is not easy to do what he does. Yeesh, I find two months hard enough and I don’t have to worry about making money from this bike racing game. Looking forward to more great things from JP.

(This is the end of me getting stuff out of my head, back to the race.)

So it is early still here. Racing action doesn’t start for a few hours yet. I’m riding to Mol and then I’ll take a quick shower and get ready for my first pit job. Ed is racing at 11:35 so I’ll be in the pits and cheering for him.

Marc races at 1:30. Send some fast and positive vibes this way at that time. Marc has got this course nailed. He is super fit right now. His technical skills have improved so much since being here. He is like a sponge – he soaks in everything. He really takes every race and experience for what it is and grabs as much as he can from them. Admirable.

Can’t wait to see him race. Go Marc. Pedal, pedal. Hit it hard!

Just sitting here chilling out. Trying hard to wind down for the day and let my mind clear. This can be a struggle at times. But so far not bad for a Thursday.

Had a great day yesterday in Antwerp. Read all about my day over at Victoria’s Island. If you find yourself in Belgium, definitely check out Antwerp. It will not disappoint.

So what’s happening in cyclo-cross land? Honestly – not much. I’m winding down the training and just enjoying being on my bike. Hopped on the group ride for a bit today. Didn’t do the whole ride – wet and windy today. So I turned back and made a stop at the health food store in Blauberg and then sucked Marc and Ed’s wheels back to Westmeerbeek.

Marc and Ed have the Masters Worlds this Saturday. I’m looking forward to being there and cheering them on. And of course working the pits – hopefully I’ve got all my pit kinks out and everything will run smoothly. I kind of wish I could race at Mol, but rules are rules. And in another way, I’m super happy that I can’t race at Mol – it means I have come a long way.

Well, really not much else for you today. I know I promised some musings on my season, plans for the future, goals, and how I’m going to get there. Well, I won’t be posting anything about this until I have a chance to talk to Coach Steve and Nick. So expect, mid-February. I’ve also got to work out my goals for the road racing season.

This pretty sums up my state of mind right now. Happy.

Happy to be here in Belgium. Happy to be riding my bike outside. Just generally happy. I’ve managed over the last little bit to have some time to think about my season. You know – it was pretty darn good. I improved so much over last year. I went from finishing in the 20s in the New England Verge Series to consistently finishing in the top 12. I was 8th at elite nationals (I was 3rd in the masters category the year before). I won the Ontario Provinicial cyclo-cross elite women’s race. And here in Belgium – I have continued to improve. Last year I was getting lapped in races – so typically I was over 8 minutes off the pace of the winner. This year I got lapped only once (a poor ride at Zolder with a cold and some serious nerves). The rest of the time I finished with no danger of being lapped – beating girls by over two minutes who the previous year were beating me by two minutes.

I’m not trying to brag – but I just need to see this in black and white to remind myself how far I’ve come. It also helps to remind me how much farther I want to go.

A few people have been asking around, wondering why I’m not racing anymore. Well, as I’ve written here before, I’ve hit my limit with ‘cross racing for this season. I struggled with motivation in Surhuisterveen so I didn’t go to Roubaix. I missed a few races due to my flu experience. But really, I only did not complete one race on my schedule – Roubaix. There is no big mystery here.

This season I did much more racing and training than ever. I came here – had some good races, got sick, had some more good races, had a tough race, got sick again, raced well again, and then the wheels finally fell off. This is not failure. This is a learning experience.

Don’t worry, I’m not quitting. I’m simply done for the season. I finished a few days earlier than planned. But I’m already working on a plan for next year. Slowly ticking things off in my brain. I’ll do more when I get home during my rest week. I’ll have a chance to talk to my coach and with my sports psychologist.

This has been a great season. I had a tremendous road season. Transitioned nicely to the cyclo-cross season. Raced a long season and best of all I get to finish it off in the mecca of cyclo-cross. Doesn’t get much better.

Scored two of the best items ever today at Van Eyck in Geel. Full-zip Vermarc tights (yes Shaun – the ones we were searching for last year!). Neils Albert World Champion toque (hat) – so smooth – white with the World Champ stripes and the worlds Neils Albert on it. Who knew I could get so excited over a pair of tights and a hat! Easily pleased I guess.

On the group ride I met a friendly Belgian man who was very interested in my trip here and my racing. I told him I didn’t qualify for the World Champs. His response – “Well, you’re in the prime of your life. Try again for next year!”. I like the way this guy thinks!

Okay, I’m out. I’m taking the day off the bike tomorrow and taking a trip to Antwerp. Some walking. Some sight seeing. Some shopping. Hopefully a nice coffee shop. A visit to the yarn store. Some picture taking. Should be good. Marc and Ed are off to Mol tomorrow to ride the Masters World Champs course. Racing action is this Saturday.

So sorry. Had a super good post mapped out in my brain for today. I wrote it while riding today. But then I got busy. Did some messing around on the computer. Did some yoga. Chillaxed. Made supper – chicken curry with onion, zuchini, peppers, brown rice, quinoa (for me), and salad. Sort of skyped with my parents. Watched an episode of Top Chef. And now here we are. And the super awesome post is gone. Vanished from this brain of mine. Maybe it will come back. (Doubtful…)

So here is what I have for today, a quote I found on Simon Whitfield’s blog:

“The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”
-Michelangelo

I like it. Spot on for me right now. I’m working on the new season. Ruminating. Planning. Thinking. Pulling things together.

Marc has the Masters World Championships this Saturday in Mol, Belgium. It is going to be a good one – I just know it. He was out at Mol today riding the course. Doing some drills. Finding his groove. He is hooked up with some super tires and wheels for the race – thanks to our pal Bart at Van Eyck Sports in Geel.

Rough one it seems for most people in Roubaix yesterday. Hey – it is experience in the bank. It is done. Put it to rest and look forward. The season is still young and the big show is yet to come. Eat some chocolate. Heck – buy a jar of the Cote D’Or chocolate spread (it is so good) and have a nice post-ride chocolate sandwich. Have some fun on the bike. Smile and remember why you race.

(Gee, maybe I should follow my own advice. Eh?)