When road racing season began back on March, I was unsure how it would end. The previous year had been rough on her.
Between sickness, injury and her emotional life being dumped on her head, she had developed a case of burn out. I knew it could go either way. I don't know what kept her going into this season. Was it tradition, a sense of duty or a desire to keep fit? Perhaps some mixture of those.
She placed a lot of limits. She would only do the BAR/BAT (Best All-Around Rider/Team award) races and she would not train. She would only ride at practice and when racing. Previously she had done almost every race for road and cross seasons. I trusted her instinct and did not push her. I respect her need for a more balanced life.
Over the course of the season her attitude changed. She went from riding her bike because she "had to", to liking to race, but not liking practice, to being excited to be on her bike again. The sparkle had returned. You could see it in her recent races. Others remarked on it, too.
She ended the road season on a high note. On Saturday she placed second in the JW 13-14 Look Out Mountain Hill Climb and on Sunday she placed second in the 2011 Colorado Criterium Championship at Bannock street.
Now she can't wait to shift her groupo onto her cross frame and begin doing the dirt trails.
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