Finished

I often get words or phrases stuck in my head during races, particularly so on long, and sometimes monotonous stages of a stage race. These words and phrases get tossed back and forth in my head in a repetitive fashion like a hamster in a wheel, and are usually accompanied by a hollow stare at the wheels ahead of me.  Sometimes ten or twenty kilometers will go by, and I hardly remember I have raced. I'll have zoned out.

On the last lap of the World Championships last week, the word bouncing around in my brain was "finished." Halfway through the last lap, I found myself positioned at the back - or more precisely, sitting last wheel. As other riders would inevitably sit up, I was prepared to come around and close the gap, and latch back onto the long, thin line the peloton had become in it's dash to the finish. With seven kilometers to go, I found myself sitting behind two South African riders who had found themselves detached from the back end of the race. This time, I chose not to come around. I knew my usefulness for my compatriots was over at that point, so I sat up, and rode in easy. At first I was riding alone, and the word "finished" was still bouncing back and forth in my brain. At 3k to go, I was joined by my teammate Ian Boswell. We rode in together, watching the jumbo-tron, and listening to the commentators, trying to take in the race that was ahead of us. The French went 1-2. Impressive.

It was a good feeling crossing the line at the top of the hill, and for the last time, I thought to myself "finished." I had just finished my first World Championships, and my 2011 season. Our Trek Livestrong soigneur, Reed McCalvin, had come over to work for the national team for the worlds, and I greeted him with a broad smile as I crossed the line.

It's been a good season. Even better than I could have imagined. I got to stand on podiums, and wear jerseys in the US and Europe, and towards the end, topped it off with a European win.

At the same time, I finished my season with a lot of learning points, takeaways, and areas for improvement. While I felt elated to be finished, I also felt motivated to improve my weaknesses. Now is the time to take it easy, enjoy some time at home, and enjoy whatever bike riding I do. While it was fresh in my mind though, I jotted down a list of my thoughts on 2011, and my goals for 2012. I'm sure I'll revisit that list when I'm looking for motivation to train hard this winter.

Until then, I'll be getting in some good time on VA singletrack, and hitting the local cross scene here and there.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for the support this year. It's been a good one, and hopefully I can start next year right where I left this one off.