This weekend I felt like a racer. So many little things I wasn't able to physically or mentally grasp at the start of the year are finally starting to come together; things like always being either on the gas or on the brakes. Things like downshifting my bike while braking so hard it feels like I'm doing a massive bench press, also with only half a butt cheek on the seat of my bike. Things like walking away from a race weekend and still feeling strong, in shape and full of vim and vigor. I still have so far to go, but that's what keeps it exciting.

How on earth does one train oneself to not ease back on the throttle when another racer comes into the periphery, with only feet to spare as they pass? How is it possible that I feel like I am racing my ass off, yet I come in with a lap time of 2:18 (placing third out of six in my novice race) and my class winners post 2:08? Where does the confidence to pass come from? Having raced for many years brings this experience, I believe. We were pitted next to Bennie "Bear" Taylor, a 9 or 10 year old little fast guy on little fast bikes, and his mom was telling me that he struggles with having the confidence to pass too. He's learning it at the age of nine, but I'm learning it at the tender age of 33. He's also learning it with his mom, dad and helpers encouraging him and working on his bike for him; meanwhile, I get tough love from the man. What's a girl to do? I do appreciate the tough love, as it will only make me stronger and hopefully not a girl about whom others say, "well of course she's fast, her boyfriend takes care of everything for her..."