A Weekend of Highs and Lows

Well, NORBA #3 Mt Snow is complete, but didn't pan out as I had planned. In the end, it was a fun weekend, got to see family and friends and had a great time with Teri and Joy. In the end, my performance had nothing to do with family and friends being present over the weekend. Race-wise, it was a terrible weekend for me. I guess I forgot how bad allergy season is out here! I got hit HARD with allergies and asthma.

Here is a short list of the BAD THINGS that happened to me this past weekend:

1. Back wheel BROKE at the hub during 2nd pre-ride (good thing I pre-rode 2x, however in the end it wouldn't even matter). Thanks to Joy for sharing her wheel with me.

2. Shifting problems (thanks to SRAM for sorting those out for me and thanks to Shimano for trueing Joy's wheel for me before the XC race!)

3. Leg cramps (i actually had to get off my bike during the race! that has NEVER HAPPENED TO ME). Who knows!

4. Crashed on lap 1 and handlebar was caught in my frame. That was really the start of the end for me in the XC race. Threw off my mojo completely.

5. The final straw: Asthma attack on the final lap of XC did me in. It was the worst attack I have had in years. I had to pull the plug on the race at that point. Wasn't sure if it would happen again, and I still had a while to go. It was emotional and hard to decide to pull out of the race. My family and friends in attendance, I had wanted them to see me do well. They still love me and are still just a proud. I think it was fun for them to see what this racing thing is all about. I know they all have a new appreciation for everything goes into it.

6. Allergies were terrible as soon as I arrived in Vermont. it carried into the Short track on Sunday, sore throat like when I have strep throat! Raced anyways, and at least I got some points for the series in STXC. Wasn't a good race for me, but at least I tried.

The GOOD THINGs that happened this past weekend:

1. Family and friends came to see me race: Mom, Dad, Marsha, Lydia, David, Noble, Liz, Mike, Jen, Drew, Seth, Karen, Mandy, Dan and Joey! Quite a turnout!

2. Joy took one for the team and gave me her wheel during pre-ride and walked all the way down the mountain with my broken wheel. In return, her wheel is going to be racing with me at the Mt St Anne World Cup this weekend ( as long as my allergies will CHILL OUT).

3. LOVED the XC course at VT. Prob the best XC course I have ever been on . Loved the technical roots, rocks, mud, etc! the hardtail did just fine and I was pleased with how I handled the tech sections. It was really really fun.

4. During the XC race, Adam Craig passed by me and said "Hey.. is James here?". it took me a second to figure out what he meant and that he was talking to me. Adam is roommates with my teammate James Williams and recognized our team kits. I was so excited and so tired all I could say was "James... here.... yes". hahaha.

Greg and I are still in NY (back home with family) until tomorrow. Tomorrow we will drive up to Quebec and shift gears towards another race weekend (WORLD CUP... eeek!). My goal, get over these allergies, pre-ride as much as possible and just do my best during Sunday's XC race. It's going to be a different race altogehter, even faster and possibly even more technical.