Change of Pace

I can’t believe it’s already September! It feels like yesterday it was January, and I was just beginning the grueling 6 month cross country mountain bike season. It’s crazy how so much has happened in a season that went by in the blink of an eye. I’m so proud of my accomplishments this season, my last season as a junior racer. Next year I’ll be a Cat 2 15-18…and it’s going to be a whole new game. I turn 14 on December 30th…so I’ll race 15-18 for the 2012 season but only be 15 for one day of the year! So, the 2011 Cross country cycling season was over in the blink of an eye, and now cross country running season is in full swing.






There’s actually a lot of good competition in the middle school league. There were almost 50 runners in the 8th grade girls division at my last meet. I’ve had two school meets so far this year, and I’ve came in 4th both times, to a different 3 girls both times. I’m pretty happy with that, but I know I can do better. I know, I know. I say that way too much.
But on the cycling side, Cyclocross season is about to start. With the first Sacramento CX race coming up this Saturday in Clarksburg, California, I’m armed and ready with my new, fully carbon and pinked out Grammo C3CX Cyclocross bike. I’m telling you, this thing is rad. It’s at least 3 pounds lighter than my last cross bike, and it has an awesome SRAM Apex groupo, pink anodized Grammo brakes, Mavic Ksyrium wheels, and amazing pink IRD Crossfire tires. And it rides…so smooth. The stiff frame gives it amazing acceleration, which is essential for Cyclocross, considering it’s a 45 minute sprint. I’ve been practicing on it for about a month, and I absolutely cannot wait to race it.
Speaking of racing, I’m also doing the Tara Llanes Classic at Northstar this Sunday. It will be my first downhill race, in borrowed pads and on a borrowed bike. But I’m still totally stoked. I’ve been bugging my parents to find a downhill race for me to do for a while now. Downhilling itself just makes me so happy. It feels so different to be padded up and have 11 inches of travel to soak up your mistakes. I feel almost invincible, and I’m not afraid to keep on going faster and faster and jumping higher and higher. It’s such a cool feeling.
The days are starting to blur together and I’m sure in the blink of an eye it’ll be time for cross country biking season again. But for now I’ll enjoy a good change of pace.
Keep chasing….