Wow, what an awesome experience! Thank you to each one of you who made that trip possible for me!
In Sydney we had heard there were record numbers of participants, and it was true. For the women's endurance races there were three heat, with the top eight moving on to the finals. The track can only have 24 riders at a time, so the more riders the more heats needed.
In my heats for the Scratch race, I ended up 9th by a tire! Man oh man, so close! Then in the Points race, (where every 10 laps there are sprints and the first 4 across the line get points) I counter attacked after a sprint and got away with one other rider. Earned 5 points, and came very close to lapping the field, yet another sprint came and they all sped up, and I never caught on. I ended again ninth, tied this time on points. Therefore our finishing position decided who moved on, and the other rider was ahead of me on the final lap, so she moved on. I was very pleased with my racing, felt good about my fitness and tactics.
Beijing was a surprise, the culture and city just blew me away. I loved it, minus the horrible air quality. I so enjoyed walking the streets, perusing the shops, and using the subway or a taxi. I was the first time in all my travels I felt completely unable to communicate. With most western languages there are similar sounds, words, or I know some basic phrase. This was completely not so with Chinese. I have so much respect and admiration for all Asians in our country, which are able to learn both. The Chinese people were so helpful, and laughed kindly at my trivial attempts to communicate. I took time to briefly visit Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall. Both amazing. The wall was just astounding, a massive structure, on such rugged terrain. To imagine what the people who built it went through is mind boggling. In the US we just don't have that kind of history.
The holidays were very special, my sister Abby is staying with us. She and I re-created our family traditional dinner on Christmas. From the cornbread for the stuffing, to the candles and Gregorian chant music, it was just like when we grew up. Mike and I had a smorgasbord on Christmas Eve to honor his tradition. We had herring, Glugg, Julmust and Ris-amalta (rice pudding). My Mom sent a care package of more of our family traditional treats, and my Grandmother sent a fruitcake. I'm still a few pounds heavier, but it was all well worth it.
Last week was the Burnaby 6-day race. My first races since returning from China. I was nervous about my fitness, but soon realized I didn't need to be. I won the first race and was in the top 6 for all other for the first 2 days of racing. I felt fresh, rested, and so happy to be at my home track with all my friends around. It was a great week of racing!
I'm off to LA in 2 days. Excited, anxious, and eager to make improvements. Mike will come to support me, which will be awesome. I get to stay with my favorite LA family, the Anderson's for a few days. Then the team has rented a house, and we will all be together for the racing!
Mid February is the final World Cup, in Copenhagen. I am very excited to race there. My sister in law lives there, and Mike's parents will come. After the racing Mike and I will spend a week in Sweden with his family (it's only a 1.5hr train ride from Copenhagen to Almhult).
Thanks again for all your love and support! Life is good!
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