3 July 2008 | Misc
Going to the Olympics
Well, it’s finally official: in August I will get the opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics in Beijing, China. At this point I think it hasn’t really sunk in- maybe it won’t until I get there. This has been one of my goals for the past two years, and it is a great feeling to see hard work pay off. I am very honored to be selected to compete, and I will do my very best to win a medal!
As I look forward to the next couple of months, I have also been reflecting a bit. This has been a tough season: lots of racing combined with suffering heat stroke in Santa Barbara has made for some challenges. But I am up for it. I was so lucky last year to have so much success, that this year, when it hasn’t come as easily I got a little frustrated. Trying to stay motivated and sharp has been challenging at times, and I am lucky to have such a supportive husband, coach and team- not to mention all the other family and friends who have helped me along the way. At the end of the day: I love my job. I love the travel, I love riding my bike, I love racing! I also love being at home and getting a little time to recharge (emphasis on little) which is what I have been doing since getting back from Deer Valley.
Ben’s folks were in town for a few days so last night we had a BBQ- a good excuse to use our new grill- and for me to “cook up a storm” as Dusty likes to say. I tried cooking a whole chicken cut in half, but it got a little charred (ok, A LOT charred- still figuring out the hot spots on the grill). We also had some delicious buffalo burgers (try this- mix a little pepper, fresh thyme and cholula into the meat before making the patties- you won’t regret it). I also made some roasted rosemary potatoes, a green salad with red pepper, avocado, dried figs and goat cheese, a tomato-mozzarella-basil salad, some grilled veggies (yellow squash, zucchini, asparagus, red pepper), and a REALLY good blueberry pie (with lemon sauce of course). It was a feast! And I had fun trying out some new recipes- like the pie. I think everyone left well-fed.
So today Ben and I went for an awesome ride up north- it was cool and foggy the whole time which was pretty much the perfect riding temperature. The dirt roads were in great shape too- not too much wash-board. Everything is so green up there, and all the wildflowers were out- it was really beautiful.