NAMRITA K. O'DEA

I considered my spring break as starting at 9am on Thursday when my exam finished. I still had some meetings on Thurs/Fri but mentally I was done. It has been a rough few weeks at school and I am so in need of this break. My plan for the 10 days "off" is for R&R--not the typical beach vacation R&R (although that sounds pretty darn good right now, too). I am trying to get as many hours in as I can on the bike right now and the weather is cooperating. My legs on the other hand..well, um...let's just say that they are not so used to riding more than 10 hours per week anymore!

It's old news now, but there's a big hole in the race schedule now for all the regular 24 hour racers. While some people (mostly, the powers that be) see it as no big deal to just completely swap venues and seasons for the "most important" 24 hour race in the country...others of us have to completely rearrange race goals, schedules, and such. Unfortunately, Moab in October is not even a remote possibility for me since 1) I'll be back in school at the end of August and 2) There is no way on earth I could afford the entry fee plus the travel expenses to Moab.

That would be a "non-bike-related-injury". This appears to be a minor setback...yesterday morning, while walking around my house in my pajamas in a half-awake/half-asleep daze in an effort to make some coffee, I stubbed my toe on the Kinetic Trainer sitting in the middle of the room. Let me tell you, those things are built strong! So strong that it broke my toe. Walking is proving to be a pain in the butt..especially when I have 180 lb. of dogs to walk at the moment. But, luckily cycling shoes are stiff so hopefully this doesn't impact any training because I was on a roll (good pun, huh!)

Short update..

I definitely did NOT think I was going to have a good race. I was trying to stay positive..but..it really wasn't working. My legs have been fried all week and they weren't any better on my pre-race ride on Friday. I was beginning to think I am anemic or have mono or some other crazy disease. I am going to get my iron tested. My diet includes very little red meat and I haven't been trying to get iron like I should be. Bad dietitian..very bad. Anyway, on to the race.

I just took another look at my 2010 schedule to update it and I am getting pretty excited! It feels good to have real goals that I'm working hard towards. It is different than the fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants racing I've done for nearly the past year. I think having a training plan to focus on is the only way I am (barely) staying sane through school, too. In the very very short term, I can't say I'm too excited about the Snake TT this weekend, I am tired.