Yeah!  I love it here.  It is pouring rain right now, and I have a couple new bruises to add to my summer collection.  I just finished a run and I have to say my legs feel AMAZING.  I think the 10 minutes soaking in the “black hole” swimming spot must have helped.  Now I get to be really really excited all week about the race in Bromont.

Yesterday I started strong and kept the gas on until I ran out.  Somehow there was a bit of feed-zone confusion, so I ended up running out of gas sooner than I would like.  I spent a good part of the day in 3rd place, but faded to 5th by the finish.  No complaints!  This week will be full of massages, easy spins and high-vibe food.  Some wine sounds good too. . . .

Before

During

After

I couldn’t have asked for a better race in Sol Vista.  The air was thin, but my mind was right and my body aligned.  Heather took off from the gun, and she inspired me to do the same.  She crossed the line in first, and I followed her a couple minutes later.  Yeah for us!  JHK also won and Sam Schultz was 4th.

The short track felt a little tougher, but I managed to finished a solid 4th.  I am back in Durango hitting up the sauna and hot springs, and looking around for my next health kick.  I feel energized, enthusiastic and in love with life!  Friday I fly to Mt.St. Anne for the World Cup.  I couldn’t be more ready!

Cruising in for 2nd

Navigating the Short Track

XC podium

Well, my legs are black and blue and I am wearing jeans in 92 degrees.  I did have lots of fun though!  I always love hanging out with the SRAM boys, and this weekend was no exception.  The shuttle runs are my favorite part, as I can hold my own with all the boy banter in the truck.  I even had one Bud Light just to make Greg Herbold proud.  After my run of course.

The XC day was intense, especially since I had not practiced the course.  The climb was straight up for about an hour and I attacked it from the start.  A little too hard probably, because Katarina ended up passing me 3/4 of the way up and continued to build her lead from there.   I ended up 2nd after suffering like crazy to drop Kelli on the last few climbs of the course.

The downhill day was not as good for me.  I had no legs and was feeling a big disconnect between my bike and my body.  I was scared actually, and just tried to ride safe.  The downhill is really just another mini XC, because my time was :52 minutes.  I finished 4th on the day and 4th overall.  I am happy to walk away with most of my skin still intact!

I am back in Durango resting up before I drive to Sol Vista for the National Championships on Thursday.  I have had two Brain TonIQ’s, one Kombucha and a handful of vitamins, so I am well on my way!

Okay, I really like Durango.  In just one week, I have gone on so many sweet rides and met so many great people.  I also keep running into people I already know.  Just last night I was spotted watching the 4th of July parade by some family members. We are everywhere!

Meg Wells has hooked me up with hair appointments and facials and is keeping me busy with girl talk.  Every day there is something fun to do, or not do!  Chilling has been really nice too.

Snoodles is my new favorite riding buddy, we can even talk about hair products since we both rock the curls.

Today I went on a big ride with Todd Wells, Rudy Bear (Troy Wells) Snoodles (Adam Snyder) and Ned Overend.  I hooked them up with some of my new fancy Power/Balance bracelets.  I think they were feeling pretty good!  We started out with a 20 mile climb up the sweetest fire road ever (really), and then did close to 20 miles of single-track on the Colorado Trail.  They took off and did intervals on the road, but every time they were recovering I could at least see them again.  They are all such great guys and so much fun to ride with.  The Colorado Trail was even better than I expected.  I was ahead of Ned through a bit of it, and he told me at the bottom “Willow you are so smooth”.  Needless to say, that made my day.

I just got off the phone with my aunt May who lives right outside of town, and she is simply full of joy that I am happy here.  We are plotting how to get the family from NC to buy a place out here. .. . 

I just want to say a big thank you to everyone here in Durango for making me feel so at home the second I arrived.  I never thought I was an “out west” kind of girl, but I am changing all the time.

I will get some pictures soon, but I have been busy living and enjoying all the moments that come my way.