Wow – just feeling some good vibes today. I was riding today and I just really started to feel good. Next thing I knew I had a big grin plastered on my face and I really felt like I was glowing. Incredible.

I realized where these sensations were coming from. My support team. My friends. All of the people who have been supporting me and encouraging me. Marc. Steve (Fearless Leader). Coach Steve. Nick. Rob. Glen. Josee. Vince. Skip. Sheri. Kevin. All of you who have passed on a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a thoughtful smile, a nugget of information. It all adds up. And today I just really got it.

It hit me so hard that I just couldn’t help feeling like that 5 year old who finally gets the training wheels off and is zipping around the street.

I gotta say, this is a great mentality to be taking into my first two ‘cross races of the season. I am committed. Committed to the plan. Committed to the hurt. Confident in my fitness. Confident with my support system. Excited to race. Excited to just be out there watching the Ottawa crew race.

Ya, I’m feeling good. Sorry for being so mushy. I just want you to really know how I’m grooving right now.

Massive shout out to everyone racing this weekend in Ottawa. Have fun – enjoy the first race of the season. I’ll be sending you some fast and speedy vibes on Sunday morning. Here is my one tip for race day:

“Hit It Hard!”

So I wasn’t there so I can’t provide a race report… And most of you know what happened. If you don’t, check out Cyclocross Magazine.

Today is really all about Svein Tuft. He killed it at the World Time Trial Championships today. Silver medal! Amazing. Google Svein Tuft – you’ll be impressed. Enough said!

Good session last night at Britannia Beach. Huge group of people out. Lots of really cool stations/drill sections set up by Glen. As usual – I learned a lot. Thanks Glen and Ride with Rendall. Nice to see some new faces out. Don’t be shy – everyone is welcome.

Excellent training with Marc and Steve this morning. Fun in the sand was had by all.

Okay, short post because I’ve got a crazy busy day. Off to Vermont tomorrow. So stoked.

Not feeling much like cyclo-cross weather today. Very warm and humid here in O-Town. Ah well, we’ll take it for a while. But some rain would be good. Us ‘crossers need Mother Nature’s help to keep the “hard man” image going. Sigh.

Anyway, lots going in the ‘cross world. People are gearing up for Cross Vegas this weekend. From what I’ve seen on the WWW, it sounds like a pretty grassy course. Kinda jealous I’m not racing Cross Vegas. But at the same time – very relieved I’m not racing Cross Vegas. Probably not the best race or locale/scene to kick off the cyclo-cross season. Regardless, I’ll be checking into with Cyclocross Magazine to get the scoop on the race.

Me, I’ll be racing in Vermont this weekend at the first races of the New England Verge Series. Fun times. Looks like I’ll be doing the entire New England Verge Series (except Gloucester…).

Got in a solid tempo work-out this morning. 2 hour ride with 45 minutes of tempo. Smooth. Just what these legs needed – a little bit of burn, a little bit of ache – to remind how I’ll be feeling on the weekend. Tonight I’m heading to Britannia Beach for the Ride with Rendall ‘cross clinic. I’d say this makes for a solid training day.

Picking up my spare bike tomorrow. Thanks Steve! Thanks Vince! I’d be lost without The Cyclery. You dudes rock.

Did I mention how excited I am about going to Belgium? I think so – but if you missed it – well I’m super excited. Can’t wait. Speaking of Belgium – what about you – why don’t you make a trip over? Come for Christmas – keep that form from U.S. Natiionals and race your brains out for two weeks. Or how about coming over for a bit longer? What about Masters World Cyclo-Cross Champs in Mol, Belgium – can’t miss this. Convinced? Cool. Then you need a place to stay. I’ve got just the place. A house in Blauberg, Belgium. Massive garage. Lots of room. Good location. Close to all amenities (bakery two minutes walk from the house). Great training right out the front door. The house filled up pretty quickly last year – so if you’re interested – email me. Just do it – you know you want to.

Last time I checked we only live once.

Came across an interesting post on Laatste Ronde. Read paragraph number 2. See I’m not the only one.

So, on the topic of race reports… There aren’t any yet… Primarily because I haven’t raced yet. But some (a lot) of you have. So why not write a race report – I’ll post it for you. I don’t care where the race was, how you did, etc. I just want people (you) to learn from the experiences of other racers – so write a race report – send it to me – I’ll post it. Easy.

Photos…. The plan is to add some new photos. Basically some links to photos of various races that have happened. I have some links collected. But if you have the inside scoop on a smooth photographer with some slick photos online – hit me with the link.

Okay, enough begging. Time to go. If you’re in Ottawa – hopefully I’ll see you tonight. If you’re racing this weekend in Vermont – stop me and say hello. I’ll be wearing the slick black, red, and white Ottawa Cross kit and riding a Stevens Super-Prestige.

Just booked our flights to Belgium. Can’t hardly wait.

December can’t come soon enough.

Ah, mud, sand, drunk fans, fresh bread, all-bran choco, cecemel, good friends, cow pastures, real yogurt… So sweet. Very very sweet.

Feeling stoked right now. Just finished talking to coach Steve. We talked about everything – my training, form, mindset, the past few weeks, and upcoming races.

Basically everything is looking good. I’m feeling good. Numbers are looking good. Form is on. Skills are right where they need to be. All in all – confident. Confident with the work I’ve done and where it will take me.

Some interesting points that Steve made: “This is a new year. Don’t go into the race thinking you should be here or there – just race as hard as you can.” This is the thing I mentioned to Steve. It seems I hurt so much more in training than I do in racing. Strange. So the big goal this weekend is to hurt. To hurt and to commit to the race. Does this happen to you ever? I don’t know what it is – a little bit of fear perhaps?

Maybe the brain remembers those early racing days where I went so hard and hurt so bad and still got dropped. So deep down there is some kind of block?

Well, I’m going to find the key this weekend and unlock the wall of hurt. I want it.

So this is where I am. Really looking forward to racing. To testing myself and pushing myself to my limits. There is no pressure. Just go out and have fun. The hard part is done – the training is done. Stay smooth. Focused. Pedal hard. Drill it.

Then when all is said and done on Sunday – stop off at Moe’s in Burlington for a big burrito and chai latte at Sbucks for the drive home. Mmm, I love cyclo-cross.

Picked up some hot new wheels and glasses today. Thanks OGC! I’m uber-pumped to be racing on the Mavic Carbones and to be flashing my new Giro Havik glasses. Not only will I be fast but I’ll look good doing it!

P.S. Reminder about the OBC cyclo-cross registration at The Cyclery tonight. 5 – 8 p.m.