Over the last couple of days all I’ve been able to think about is racing my bike again. I’ve been thinking about the spring and summer races I’ll be doing. I’ve been thinking about what I’ll do in these races (yes, a bit crazy but I can’t help it!).

In short – I’m itching to race my bike again. When I’m riding my bike in the basement watching another episode of Damages (pretty good for the trainer..) and grunting through another set of intervals, I’m thinking about racing. I’m think of goals left unsettled, of new goals, and of simply getting out on the open road.

This is a good thing. I think I’ve finally reached a point where I’m back to full health – my nasty ulcerative colitis flare of 2010-2011 is well-behind me, my body has rebounded from the medication side effects, my back is fully healed from my 2011-2012 season-ending injury, my confidence is back, and I’m feeling good.

I finally feel like myself again. The self that really just wants to get out and have some fun on the bike. I have no outcome goals for the spring/summer racing. My goal for each and every race is to go as hard as I can – to push myself, to be engaged in the race, and see what I can do. I fully expect this approach to racing to end with some surprises – likely some blow-ups on the bike, some lucky moves that put me in a successful break, and others that simply show me what I still need to learn.

I don’t know how other cyclo-cross racers approach their spring/summer racing campaigns (so tell me!) – but this is what I aim to do. I’ll be building fitness and strength during this time so I’m excited to see what does happen.

Yes, I’m excited. I wish I could get out and race today! It is hard to believe that I’m turning 40 in a few months – I have a feeling this will be a good year.

(My good friend Nikoline Hansen emailed me this photo today – it was taken of us at the 2009 Treviso, Italy World Cup – this race seems like a lifetime ago. It was the start of a dream season. Nikoline and I met that day during the pre-ride and have been friends ever since. Amazing what the bike gives you.)

Today is a very good day! This morning I had an appointment with my sports medicine doctor and I received some excellent news about my fractured L3…

Well, it has healed – two weeks ahead of schedule. After some tests and movement analysis, my doctor has given me the all-clear. So this means I can get back to yoga and really go full-steam ahead with training for the upcoming spring and early summer racing season.

Even better news is that my bone density scan revealed very positive results regarding my bone strength. There was some concern that I might have osteoporosis – but the bone density scan has revealed that my bones are actually stronger than average.

All of this news gives much some extreme confidence in my body and overall health. There will be no lingering thoughts in my head when I start the cyclo-cross season in September that my back is not ready for the impacts of cyclo-cross racing.

A good day indeed! 2012 is looking better and better each week.

Like most Canadian cyclists, I am getting very well-acquainted with my trainer. I’m doing lots of pedaling in place and watching a lot of television programs and movies to help pass the time. No complaints here – I’m super happy to be back to regular training and most importantly to seeing my fitness come around.

It is amazing what a short break can do to your fitness! We’re still taking things fairly moderately this first month since I’m not 100% recovered from my back injury but I’m making steady progress every week. I had an encouraging appointment with my physiotherapist last week – she said that I am getting stronger and now I’m allowed to stretch. I have missed stretching so much – my hamstrings, calves and quads were starting to get super tight. So now I’m getting super friendly with my foam roller and doing some gentle yoga moves in my basement after each trainer ride.

Really other than this, there isn’t too much to tell you about. I am not going to spend any time commenting on the recent “big news” in the cycling world. What is there to say?

I’m simply looking forward to getting my bike out on the open road again! It is tempting to plan a spring training camp somewhere but I have to remember that my focus is cyclo-cross and I don’t need to go away in the spring to prep for a race season that starts in September. I have taken a good long look at the 2012-2013 cyclo-cross calendar and I’m super excited about the upcoming season.

I’m very happy to be racing in Plzen and Tabor again to kick off my European season. There is also a World Cup in Rome so this will be a new course for me. The North American schedule is chock full of races so it is going to be a busy month and a bit before I take off for Europe.

But for shorter term goals, I’m looking forward to the spring and early summer racing season. I’ll be out at likely all of the local and area racing events. Back out at the Tuesday night crits as well. And something new for this year, I’m going to be helping out with the OBC program set up for younger kids – I think this will be a great experience – I’m sure I’ll learn a thing or two from these young kids as well (hint – I need to learn how to hop a curb!).

If you’re in Ottawa and are looking for something to do on Friday night – how about coming out to Empower Me yoga studio for a free yoga class? This class is sponsored by Lolë and is a great way for you to kick off the weekend. I’ll be there so let me know if you’re coming out.

This video is super powerful. It is 16 minutes long. You have 16 minutes to listen to an athlete and person who is living to the max.

So what are you going to do now?

For cyclo-cross fans everywhere this was a huge weekend. It was the weekend of the World Cyclo-Cross Championships. It doesn’t get any bigger or better than this for our sport – this is our Olympics. The best from each country line-up and lay it all out there in one race.

For some the goal is to get to the line and have the opportunity to represent their country. For others the goal is have a top-20, top-10 or top-3 result. For others the goal is to win. Regardless of the goal and the actuality of this goal – the process of setting this goal and going for it is huge.

The passion on display out there in the sand dune of Koksijde, Belgium these past two days has been remarkable. At times, I felt myself tearing up when I watched the delighted winners cross the line. The punching of the air, the pointing to the sky, the chest slapping, the face grabbing, the ear-to-ear smiles – beyond words really – just pure emotion. Perhaps even better was seeing the elation of young Wout van Aert when he crossed the line taking second in the junior men’s race. I met Wout last season – a very pleasant young guy – it was awesome to see him having such a fantastic race and seeing his joy with his accomplishment. In the women’s race – well Sanne Cant was as equally ecstatic with her third place podium finish.

The fans were incredible. It must have been amazing to race in front of 61,000 people. Really, I can’t even fathom how large and loud this crowd must have been. Definitely a top life experience to get to race your bike in front of such a crowd.

To my friends who raced today – congratulations. I’m proud of you. Regardless of your result, be proud of yourself. You just raced in the World Cyclo-Cross Championships and no one can ever take that away from you. To be honest, I’m jealous. I’ve had this same chance but once in my racing career and it is still my top racing experience. There is nothing quite like wearing your nation’s colours and racing in the biggest race on the calendar. Savour today and remember these emotions. Don’t shoulda coulda woulda – you did it. One race doesn’t define you but it sure can motivate you and encourage others to set some big goals and get busy achieving them.

Counting the days to the first race of the 2012-2013 season and happily planning a very long stay in Europe for 2012-2013. A big thanks to the fast women who raced today and reminded me that there are no limits – only possibilities.