2012 Year in Review

"Winning doesn't always mean getting first place; it means getting the best out of yourself." Thanks to Walt Hundley for sharing this picture on Facebook. This quote is pretty important for any athlete, as we all know there can only be one winner of every race, and actually winning a race is pretty darn hard. Well, for most of us anyway. I thought I would take a moment and look back on 2012 and note some personal accomplishments and set some new goals for the upcoming year.

In 2012 I raced 15 races, which includes 6 mountain bike races, 3 crits, 2 time trials, and 4 road races. I started racing Expert in mountain biking, and even ventured into the Pro/Elite category for the Peak to Peak race. The biggest change in racing Expert instead of Sport is the longer length of the races and how darn fast everyone is! The course is also a lot more open as Sport Women always start at the very back of all the racers. I requested an upgrade on my USA cycling license to Cat 1 for mountain biking and was granted it at the end of the year, so I will be able to race the Pro category next year at Iceman. I did well this year at Iceman placing 3rd, but was hoping for a better time that didn't happen due to some bike malfunctions. My two best mountain races were the Crybaby Classic, where I placed 2^nd, and in Peak to Peak where I placed 4^th. Peak to Peak will be a race to remember...those were some nasty conditions that I hope to never have to race in again.

I really started to enjoy mountain biking even more as my single track skills are improving, slowly but surely. I also started focusing more on mountain biking, as shoulder pain issues that showed up early on in the road racing season didn't subside, and mountain biking was the only riding I could do relatively pain free.

I moved from Cat 4 to Cat 3 in road racing, after getting 3^rd place at Frankenmuth, and 5^th for the GC at the Cat 3 and 4 women combined West Michigan Stage Race. It is a big jump for women to cat up from 4 to 3, since we are then racing with all Cat 1,2, and 3 women. I struggled to hang on in my first few races and was dropped. For my first Cat 1, 2, 3 crit at BTR my goal was just to hold on, and I was able to and placed 5^th. I was happy that I felt strong and that I was a contender for the 1^st time in this category.

Perhaps my biggest accomplishment was finally making it up Smokey Hollow with the group on Tuesday Night Rides. Here is the ride on Strava. I think I was more pumped about that than any race I have ever done. The farthest I made it on a ride was Seven Hills, hopefully next year I will make a whole ride! Also Strava data shows that I rode about 850 miles on my mountain bike and almost 2000 on my road bike. Not all rides were recorded, so its likely I rode over 3000 miles this year. My biggest year yet!

I was able to lose 23 pounds this year from my heaviest winter weight. I definitely noticed my riding and hill climbing improve as I dropped the weight and hope to keep most of it off this winter. This is my third winter riding at Brockmiller Elite Endurance, where I am able to train with power meters. My power tests have continually been improving, and I have gained 25% more power since starting in 2010.

This year was the first year I have worked full time since becoming a mom in 2001. I am happy that I was able to keep up with cycling and continue to see improvements despite definitely having less time to train and more responsibilities to juggle. At the same time, cycling has become a necessity in my life that helps me alleviate stress and build my self confidence. I continue to meet the best people on the planet through cycling, and I am sure it will always have a place in my life, no matter how busy I get.

In the upcoming year, I hope to try racing a few longer races than I have ever done before to test my endurance. So far, I am entered in the 62 mile Barry Roubaix in March. I am still working on the rest my 2013 race calendar, and am very excited to start a new race season! I also hope to cure my shoulder issues once and for all, it's been pretty annoying and frustrating. Another goal is to be a strong team member and be a solid part of any races that my team enters together this season. It's a long time until summer, but thankfully there is some fun that can be had in the snow, I guess. 

Thank you to everyone, from the women I race against to the people I ride with, to the bike shops that fix my bike and those that read my blog. Thanks to Hagerty Cycling to allow me to be a part of the team and helping so much along the way! You have all made 2012 an incredible year, and I look forward to a great 2013!