Master's Nationals 2006
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Well, silver isn't quite as nice as gold, but such is racing sometimes. It took me a while to settle on that. For the first hour after racing, I kept hearing Ricky Bobby, "If you're not first, your'e last!" Considering I knew little about what to expect when I came to this race, one gold and one silver aren't so bad.

Cari Higgins got a buy first round, since she qualified 1st and there were only 7sprinters. Even the first round was determined best 2 of 3, so I would have at least 6 rides this afternoon.

Round #1 was a good opener, getting used to the track. I won in 2 against Hammer Racing Team's, Jodi Walzer. Round #2 was against Brooke Wilson. I went up against her at nationals last year- she'd gotten faster the past year, but I rode a good race and won in 2 again. So, now I was in the finals

The track was HOT, I was getting tired already. I needed to find some cool shade, which I did in the stands. My first ride against Cari, I wasn't as aggresive as I could be. I couldn't get the position I wanted- something to work on this month. She got the jump on me and we rode together in the last lap. I started to come around, but barely missed catching her at the finish line. I just needed about 2 more feet. It was a photo finish and we didn't know the verdict until we had both rolled off the track.

In the second ride, I rode a little smarter, putting on tighter pressure, but she got under me and this time I was unable to close.

It didn't work out how I had hoped. It's weird that 3rd place is almost easier to take than 2nd. At least with 3rd, you won the last ride. With 2nd place, you lost. You leave the race mad. As you leave the track to the quiet and coolness of the grass outside the fence, you duck away from everyone who either wants to compliment your ride or who you overhear tell the other girl how awesome she did- in the next tent. Hopefully you have a little time to chill and have a laugh before the awards ceremony.

Today, I'm tired. I don't feel motivated to get ready for elite nationals in just 7 weeks. I'll be without my track bike until next Friday when Donna comes down for masters state championships. How funny is that- to do state championships after nationals. That happened last year with elites. I'm tired of race, race, racing every weekend, but I give it about 5 days and I should be ready to go again