My Apologies

Alright, alright....so I know I haven't updated in awhile, and I'm sorry. My sister has given me enough grief about it to account for everyone who has ever been upset about my infrequent blog posts - alright, maybe that's not so many people - but still. I guess it was just a surprise to me that my sister actually reads my blog enough to get upset when I haven't updated it. Maybe the problem here is I don't talk to my sister enough. Sometimes my frequent blog posts and the Team Type 1 Twitter updates are they only way she can be sure I'm still alive! How tragic! Actually, just today my mom was telling me a story that'll give you an idea of how the family copes with my constant traveling.

Before today, I hadn't called home in a few days because I was busy traveling and preparing for collegiate nationals. Wednesday morning, my parents dropped me off at the Orlando (MCO) airport, and that was the last they heard. Of course they'd asked me to call when I got here, but there was so much going on that I didn't have time! It isn't that uncommon for me to forget to call them so they didn't freak out, but I'm sure they couldn't help but imagine the wreckage of my airplane or the wreckage of my rental car or the wreckage of the airport shuttle! But as my dad always says, if they don't hear from the highway patrol men or the news guy, they just assume I made it there safely. They hadn't heard from either, and I DID get here safely, so their assumption was correct, as always.

This morning, they go on a bike ride with one of their friends who informed them that not only was I safe and sound in Colorado, but that my legs were also "feeling good." How did she know this when my parents didn't? We can all thank Sean Weide, the TT1 media superman, for keeping the fans updated on the status of my legs via our team Twitter. So yes, my parents sometimes hear about my doings from other people first, but I think of it as a blessing that they can be so laid back (or at least pretend to be) while I'm off roaming the country and potentially breaking bones.

ANYWAY...

I got 3rd today in the Division 1 road race behind Carla Swart (Lees McRae) and Anna McLoon (Harvard), both whom I race against on the professional circuit. They're both very strong riders, Carla especially, and I suppose if I have to lose to someone I guess I'm glad it's her. The three major factors we had to cope with in this race were the wind, altitude, and hills. It was windiest race I'd ever done (I found myself practically coasting on an uphill we had such a strong tail wind - of course this meant that the head wind was absolutely brutal). On the decent toward the finish, I thought it was going to pick me up and throw me over the guard rail (something that actually happened to a girl in one of the chase groups). The altitude was rough on me, but I coped better than I did last year. At the end, it came down to a group of four. Carla and Anna came in a bit ahead of Melanie and me.

Now I am "home" at the host house. We're staying with a really nice couple. I've been lucky with host families so far this year. Will post pictures from South East Crit Series when I get back!