Windham NY: XC Flat! (15th). 10th in Short Track.

Wednesday: loooong travel day. I left Vallecito Lake at 6:00am, drove to Albuquerque, flew to Las Vegas (kinda the wrong direction), lost $40 trying to get rich at the slots, flew to Albany, drove a rental to Windham, got into my horrible room at 2:00 am. Thursday: Tried to find another hotel, ended up swapping rooms at the same hotel (to one with an air-conditioner and no giant ants), built bike, Stans'd tires, pre-rode course, washed muddy bike, and tried to find food and ice. Friday: slept. a lot. Pre-rode and washed the bike again then found the awesome Taste Cafe. Sadie and everyone there were so nice and the food was great. Saturday: XC. Third row call-up since I have missed three Pro Tour Races. After slowly making my way through the pack, I was sitting two spots behind Pua, feeling strong and so happy with my legs. We finished the first climb and hit the downhill. I heard the dreaded hiss of a flat tire. My 1st response is always denial, "it isn't my tire"; then pleading "please seal, please seal!". I ended up limping to the start/finish techzone, getting on and off the bike multiple times trying to get the gash to seal and hold air. I slid out any time I leaned the least little bit and nailed the rim on every single rock. Getting passed by the entire field is a horrible feeling. To make it worse, I hadn't aired my spare wheels. As soon as I swapped to the new wheel the rim bottomed out and I thought "oh no"! I got off, filled it with my new BigAir and took off. Motivation lasted an entire 2-minutes then, remembering where I was and not seeing anyone to pass, I just wanted to pull out. All that work for nothing. My goal had been to finish 10th and I was now ~ 30th. It took a bit of persuading but I told myself it was practice for the NY World Cup next year and Todd would kill me if I spent all that money to get out there and quit after only one lap... Plus, if I could finish Sea Otter, I could finish this. I kept going and made it up to 15th by the finish line, 4 seconds behind Judy Freeman. Sunday: ST. I was called up 2nd to last since I have not done a single series ST this year. Legs again felt good and I was able to finish 10th, again behind Judy Freeman. Got back to the hotel to find my door wide open. nice, at least I now had clean towels... Monday: Another long travel day, made it "home" at 1:00am. Tuesday: After 6 hours sleep I was up to get the dogs from the kennel in Durango, unpack, build up bike, have dinner and play cards with Grandma and Aunt and Uncle, then I slept for 10 hours! Expensive trip, but it was worth it to verify my fitness level and to see the course for next year. Plus, I really enjoy seeing and talking to everyone. To make up for it (and the $40 in Vegas) I just bought a $5 Power Ball ticket (the first one of my life) so keep your fingers crossed.