Motivation

hi here is my introduction ... now i want a sticker

The first cross race of the season always hurts more than I remember. I was a little late to the start line and had to start in the third row. At least the two people in front of me were really fast and I still got a good start. After two brutal laps, six of us (Pete Lopinto, Danny Sommerhill, Wil Frishcorn, Colby Pierce, Brady Capeous and I) had a big gap on the rest of the field. Brady was bunny hopping the barriers and putting some time on us during the first half of the race but eventually ran out of steam and ran like the rest of us.

Check out my little man completely lost in the free ride video he begged me to play. I was grilling some Salmon and while I was outside he would come out and ride circles in the driveway. When I’d go back into the house he’d follow me in and watch the free ride video until I went back outside again. He kept saying “I can do that, right?” and I would say “Of course you can. You just need to keep practicing.” The best part is that I can totally relate to how he’s feeling when he says that. Every time I watch a race on TV or a cool snowboard video.

I'm in Minneapolis right now for Nick Martin's wedding. The grooms-men have been chillin out all day while the girls have been busy getting their nails and hair done. Just about all the guys are mountain bikers who are enjoying the off season while I'm in the middle of my training for cross. My legs are freakin out from the lack of exercise. My right leg twitched for over an hour this morning in bed. It was really annoying. Well, the bride just called wondering why we're not there yet. Guess her schedule said 3:00 and we thought it was 3:30. Got to go.

I have been so busy working lately that my training has taken a huge hit. When I ride, I feel good but I’m afraid the lack of volume is going to be a problem. With tickets booked and race entry paid, I need to get my butt in shape before Cross Vegas. It’s probably going to be the biggest and most exciting cross race in the history of this country.

I had a bad day yesterday, and while on my way to the fridge to grab a beer, I saw an empty water bottle on the counter. Normally filling it up and drinking water would do nothing, but when you put that water in your cage and go ride it’s better than all the drugs in the world. If you ride hard enough, it’s impossible to think or feel anything other than what’s happening at that moment. And at that moment, the entire world is reduced to nothing more than filling your lungs with air and pushing through the pain in your legs. Pedal stroke by pedal stroke everything is washed away.

I am sponsoring a table at the Challenged Athletes Foundation's "Celebration of Heroes, Heart & Hope" in New York City the night of July 18th. I have FIVE seats to fill.

Individual seats are being sold for $500, but for any "Enthusiasts" out there, one of my seats can be yours for what should be a pretty amazing night!