Generosity and Thanks

The past week has been filled with excitement.

Since I last blogged, I have received so much encouragement and good fortune that it’s overwhelming—but the good kind of overwhelming that makes you giddy, jump up and down, grateful, humbled, motivated, inspired and yet a bit scared that you will somehow not meet expecations. But that’s normal. (Wheeler Nugget: I am a strong believer that fear is normal and necessary for improvement. It’s just whether you can acknowledge it, examine it, learn from it, and move forward rather than dismiss it, disguise it with arrogance, or be totally apathetic to the emotion and the events around it.)

Anyway, I wanted to reach out and thank a few people for their help and generosity. (In no particular order)

1) Empower Coaching Systems: I’m so grateful for Dotsie Bausch allowing me to guest ride for her team at Cascade. I received numerous emails detailing out the plan and schedule and cannot wait to not only ride well for her, but also to be a good teammate and a positive force during the ups and downs of the stage race. There’s always ups and downs in stage races, I’m finding out. My goal is to ride, learn, grow and NOT question or doubt myself even if something goes awry—like I miss my turnaround or go the wrong way or whatever.

2) USA Cycling—Recently they loaned me “John Tesch” my new Teschner track bike to use. I’m so excited to get back on the track and get to work. I have a lot to learn and it’s going to more exciting to be learning while riding “J. Tesch.” (On second thought, does John Tesh really deserve a bike named after him? I mean his music may have taken the Midi file world by storm, but I can't see a fierce integration into the track world. I'm thinking maybe Al Capone might be more suitable. I mean, I'm seeing a straight up mobster murder when I bring this bike out to rumble.)  Thank you, too, to BLG and RC for helping me figure out my bike size. I guess I’m “in between” sizes not quite a small and a bit too big for a medium. I guess if I were being fitted for a dress, I’d be a size 7--blech! (Sizes 5,7,9 are so 80’s.)

3) Cherrish: I’m also thankful to have Cherrish supporting me in my cause. Recently, Dan Haggart donated 50 water bottles to take with me to Cascade and he’s done a lot to make sure I have a constant supply of Cherrish and also help out in events as he can.

4) Engleman—The man was cracking jokes left and right with me at nationals, helping me relax and take the pressure off. He works with me through my fears and reassures me that I have what it takes. It’s great to have such a legend in my camp or maybe I should say to be in his camp.

5) Erik Moen—He also donated some water bottles and spiffy visors to Cascade. AND he always answers his phone to field questions like “Um, Erik, is it possible for me to re-break my collarbone by trying on clothes? I mean the dress was REALLY tight in the shoulder.”

6) Matt Oseto—My exercise physiologist and the plastic surgeon of clavicle repair. I can barely see my scar now and I was on the bike pronto. He knows his stuff and is an awesome resource to have.

7) Martha Walsh—Tens for Wheeler. She’s been paying for my entry at Seward lately and she and Mick have been loading me with advice and tips for cycling in their country—Oregon.

8)Phil Spencer--He's been my friend and one of my biggest fans from day one. I was nice to him when I first met him because I thought he was Ian McKissick--former pro who dominated the field earlier in the year. But then after 4-5 meetings later, he confessed he wasn't Ian and we learned to like each other. Joking. None of that is true, except for the biggest fan and friend part. He has provided me with chiropractic care and donations of Standard Process vitamins as well as a plane ticket to my first NRC race. He's awesome and you should support his business.

9) Hagens Berman and Lake Washington Velo —Man, lately they’ve just been showering me with support. Tall Alan has been an awesome resource and helps me keep my head on straight. He listens and validates my thoughts, confirming yes, indeed, I am crazy. Joe Holmes is always around to tell me to toughen up and remember I’m from the Midwest. And my women teammates are always encouraging me and sending kudos my way. Oh and Broadmark, so many people from there, always chiming in and helping out. And Jeff Pyatt, heck, he opened a new business line at Pyatt Lending just so my calls don't overload his system.

10) My Readers, Fans, and Friends—I’ve received numerous donations recently from people I know and others I don’t know. Your comments and encouragement inspire me to be a better athlete and person and show the same generosity towards others in whatever way I can. My current goals are to finish the season and then help others train in the winter, whether it be through clinics or other events. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do—whether it be take someone on a ride or help them in a workout, etc.