It is Wednesday. Hump day. Just have to get through Wednesday and the weekend is that much closer. Funny day Wednesday. Anything you wanted to get done during the week, well if it isn’t done now – don’t count on it being done before the weekend. (At least this is what happens at my house…)

Excellent ride this morning. Well, excellent for the trainer. 5 x 10 minute intervals with 1 minute rest between. Yes, my legs hurt. But my brain was happy. It said “remember this feeling” “store this feeling”. I realized as I was pedaling away watching Canada AM, that in one month I’ll be racing in a World Cup.

Dudes – how cool is this? In fact in four weeks from now, I’ll have already raced on World Cup. Again – dudes – is this not cool? To think that three years ago I was racing at the master’s level and was way way off the pace of the leader in my category. And now I’ve got an elite license and I’m going to race in three World Cups (Nommay, Zolder, and Roubaix).

It just goes to show – that really anything is possible. Do you have a goal or dream? Does it seem crazy? Perfect – write it down. Put the piece of paper in your pocket – look at it every day. Feel that dream every time you reach into your pocket for change or your cell phone. Remember it. Live it. I’m serious about this.

Took the trusty bikes into The Cyclery today. They need an overhaul before making it into the bike bags and onto the plane. Thanks to Steve and Vince for taking care of me so well this season and for really looking out for me. Much appreciated. I would really be lost without their support.

Not much else going on. Looking forward to racing at home this weekend. Last race of the OBC series. Thanks to the snow, it will be epic. At least it won’t be really cold. Snow I can handle but I find the cold more difficult to take.

Saw that Barry Wicks and Adam McGrath are racing over in Japan right now. Very cool. A few summers ago I was in Belgium racing on the road and I met a very helpful man – Harry. He helps the Japanese cyclo-cross team when they come to Europe to race. So amazing this sport of ours. Brings out the best.

Have a good one. Time to get back to some of my other writing.

Not the fairy tale. No the great outdoors. It is so snowy and white out there. Beautiful really. Though I doubt the Belgians found it beautiful… But to us hardy Canadians, this pure fresh white snow is something else. It is so clean. So bright. A true sign that the seasons are changing. Can’t fight it so might as well embrace it. Looks like it will be a final snowy race at Mooney’s Bay this Sunday.

That’s right – last race of the OBC cyclo-cross series. I can’t speak enough about this local cyclo-cross series. Run on a not-for-profit basis with tireless volunteers, this Ottawa cyclo-cross series has done a lot for cyclo-cross in Canada. Many a national champion has gotten their start with the OBC series. The series has blossomed to now host two races a day – with large numbers and lots of smiling faces. I haven’t been out to many OBC races this season – but the ones I was at were some of my most favorite races of the season. The best part for me is watching the success and accomplishments of the “beginners”. These guys and gals are out there on all types of bikes slogging it up, down, around, and over barriers with a lot of heart and passion. Seeing this simply inspires me to race harder and to improve everyday (on and off the bike). I was a “beginner” only a few years ago (gosh some days I still feel like one) – it is the hardest spot to be. But also the best. Massive thanks to Ian, Bob, Cheryl, Bryan, and the countless other volunteers who set up, score keep, tear down, and put up with the complaints and questions every week.

Just finished an excellent training ride. On the trainer. But it was the perfect trainer ride – 3 x 12 sweet spot intervals. Tough. Blood pumping. Reminds me that I’m alive and kicking. I watched Charlie Wilson’s War during my ride. Excellent film. Watch it – you won’t regret it. Also perfect length for the trainer: 1:42 minutes long.

Really, not much else going on. We are here in Ottawa for only two more weeks. That’s right two weeks for now we’ll be doing the last minute packing and making our way to the airport. Ottawa-Frankfurt-Brussels. Sweet. Amazing how quickly the time passes. I’m looking forward to a week at home – no traveling, a local race, and time to chillax and recharge.

Don’t forget the OBC cyclo-cross awards and wrap-up night on Dec. 3. The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. at the Rideau Curling Club. Come out and have some laughs and share some stories with your racing buddies. There are typically big bowls of unhealthy snacks (think orange cheese puff things and those ring-a-los) – perfect way to get ready for the off-season. I’ll see you there.

Thanks so much for the emails, comments and positive vibes over the last couple of days. It means a lot to me to read your emails and comments. Sunday was a great day on the bike. But the last two days have been just as rewarding when I read the kind words you’ve sent me. Thanks.

A most excellent weekend was had in Toronto. Made it into the big city by the early evening – after a pretty much uneventful drive. The hotel was pretty nice – crazy valet parking situation but other than that definitely one of the nicest places we’ve stayed at this year. Went out for dinner with Steve and Josee. Had a good meal – tasty food and a quick stop at Sbucks for some warm drinks.

Steve loaned us 9 Ball Diaries so Marc and I chilled out and watched the Tim Johnson flic. Pretty good film – really great race footage. Interesting to hear Johnson talk and nice to know that even the top guys have doubts once in a while.

Excellent breakfast in the morning. And then we were out to Riverdale Park East for the day of racing. I raced first at 11:30 so we arrived a little after 9:00 – I got in 3 laps of the course and then had plenty of time to get kitted up and do some more riding on the road. I’ve written a race report.

Suffice it to say – it was a good day on the bike! After my race I hung out with Gregory and Liz as we dashed all over the course cheering on Marc, Steve and all the other Ottawa racers. A great day. I got to relax and watch Marc race and the added bonus of hanging out with Gregory and Liz. These two are awesome cyclo-cross fans – they run all over the course cheering and shouting encouragement. Thanks for coming out to cheer.

We left the city pretty quickly – after a quick stop at a Chinese bakery for some sweet Chinese buns for the drive home. Smooth drive with a stop for supper in Kingston and we were home by 8:00. Marc got to work quickly on cleaning the bikes and I got us unpacked and got the messy race clothes in the wash. By 9:00 we were flaked out on the couch watching Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.

An excellent weekend. Easy travel. Great racing. Good race courses. Lots of fans out cheering. Extra bonus of hanging out with my brother and sister-in-law. Good times spent with Marc traveling and chilling out. Doesn’t get much better. So lucky to be living this life.

This is a rare moment for us – Saturday morning at home. That’s right – we’re not in a hotel or on the way to a race venue. Even better was we had a Friday night in our town – we did crazy stuff like going out for dinner, browsing in some shops, and just chilled out at home. The travel is getting to be a lot right now – as I’m sure most of you can attest to.

This being said, we are taking off in a few hours for the Big Smoke. The big city of Toronto is on our travel plans today. Racing at Riverdale East Park tomorrow for the Ontario Cyclo-Cross Provincials. By the sounds of it we’ll be sliding around in the snow. I was going to pack to a short-sleeve skinsuit – but common sense got the better of me – long-sleeve it is.

Just finished an opening work-out on the trainer. Don’t like doing openers on the trainer. Oh well, such is life when I’m not willing to go out and brave the elements like the hardy young guns. I watched an episode of Entourage. Not bad for the trainer. I also watched part of Taxicab Confessions – this is both enlightening and disturbing.

Sorry I didn’t post yesterday – the day kind of got away from me. Work was busy and then I met up with the CEO of Kingsbridge Disaster Recovery. We had a super smooth chat and catch-up – the support from this company has just been awesome this year. The enthusiasm for cycling is contagious – well really the enthusiasm for life and making the most of it, just flows from Skip. One of the best things an athlete can do is surround herself with positive and supportive people. Thanks Skip and Kingsbridge for the support this year.

Well, I best blast. Got a few little errands to do before we can hit the road. Currently debating if we can get all four bikes, plus wheels, bags, and people inside the Matrix. Don’t know – could be tricky. But the effort might be worth it – don’t want the go-fast bikes to get snowed on while we zoom down the 401.

See you in Toronto. Good luck if you’re racing in Southampton this weekend. Some serious start lists there – should be some great racing. Pedal hard! Remember to “Move Yourself”.

It is that time. The time in the season when things are getting a bit routine. You know what I mean. You’ve got more than a few races under your belt now. So the bike is dialed in. You’ve figured out where the seams are on the new skinsuits. The shoes are permanently damp and a bit musty smelling. The helmet has a little bit of mud in it that you just can’t get out. The travel is becoming more simple each weekend – unpack bag, wash, repack bag. The training has moved onto the next phase – probably a race and recover system.

For a lot of Canadians, the season is winding down. There are a few local races left in the respective “local” series, maybe a provincial title race coming up, and maybe just maybe a dash down across the border for that one last “big” race.

For the Americans, well the season is just hitting its mid-point. ‘Cross nationals aren’t until December so there is lots of racing, tweaking, and resting still to be done. Maybe a little more fitness can be gained. Time to get in some extra practice riding on frozen in mud and snow. Maybe a chance to take a weekend off to let the bruises and bumps heal.

I was thinking about the season this morning as I pedaled in place. It is a long one. My ‘cross season started in September and will end in January. We’ve traveled more weekends this fall than we’ve been home. Soon we’re jetting off to Belgium for a packed racing schedule. Then before we know it we’ll be home and thinking of the road season. Pretty all consuming. Not a bad thing. A good thing really. Though in the early morning when there is nothing on television and it is too cold and icy to ride outside – the season sure does seem long. My mind drifted to wondering what I would be doing if I wasn’t chasing my cyclo-cross dreams?

Would I still be riding the trainer at 6 a.m.? Would I still be keeping close tabs on my diet, recovery, stretching etc.? What if I was in an off-season right now? I started to dream wistfully of not riding and enjoying some kind of rest period. Ha ha – funny and foolish brain. This would never happen. Not my style.

I’m sure that if I wasn’t messing around in the mud and muck on my ‘cross bike, I’d still be training. Probably even a bit harder than I am now. I’d be thinking of the road season and on getting ready for the early spring races. Maybe even planning a trip to somewhere warm to get in some training and early racing.

So what’s my point here? Well, I just wanted to remind you and myself that there is method to our madness. That even though you might not feel like getting up and training right now, that you might be a bit tired of cleaning your ‘cross bike and you might think you need a break – you probably wouldn’t be doing much differently if you weren’t racing ‘cross. When you’re a bike racer, you are on your bike – training, racing, recovering, thinking about racing – living it and breathing it. Garmin started their camp this week – need I say more?

It is tough to train right now. It is cold and dark. The racing is tough – it is probably cold and wet where you are racing. But remember why you do it. You are a cyclo-cross racer. A true hard man/woman of the bike racing game. Besides, think of the cool stories you can tell your co-workers on Monday after another epic weekend of racing in the mud. Appreciate what you’re doing right now.

Had a solid interval work-out yesterday. My legs were screaming. But my brain was saying – bring it on. I needed to feel those legs and to see the wattage numbers. I’m getting stronger each week. The legs, heart and brain are back. Fully onboard and stoked. Today was a hard endurance ride – another solid ride to keep my blood pumping fast and a silly grin plastered on my face. I tell you, life is good. After watching the morning news program (Canada AM), I can tell you I really don’t have much to complain about.

Simple travel this weekend. Off to Toronto for the Ontario Cyclo-Cross Provincials. Cool. It has been a while since I’ve raced the Ontario provincials. Looking forward to it. This time the schedule is a bit different for me and the boys. I race first. Nice. I’ll race and then get to yell at my training partners from the pit. My little bro is coming out to catch the racing action as well. He is one of the best cheerers out there. If he knows your name – he’ll cheer for you. Many moons ago I ran a marathon and in the last kilometer, Gregory jumped on the course to run with me – he started yelling at the silent crowd – he yelled “Hey – her name is Vicki and she is finishing her first marathon – cheer for her!” Yeesh, gotta love having this kind of support.

Okay, I’m out. Have a good one. Best of luck in your races this weekend. Some of you are in Southampton this weekend – good luck and safe travel. For those of you racing in Toronto – get ready for some snow action and take care on the 401.