Chipseal, Cobbles, and Pedals

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It seems the weather has turned and winter is here.  The wind howls outside as I am safe inside on my trainer watching DVD’s and spinning my heart out.  Over the last few weeks, I have ridden on my trainer, doing intense “full gas” intervals to prepare me for my first race in Phoenix, Arizona, Febuary 15^th-17^th. My coach has me on a ‘block’ schedule where I ride two days on and two days off.  The intervals are more beneficial if they are done on a trainer, so I’ve been living it up with the absence of wind in the comfort of my living room.

Last weekend I went home to visit my family in Gillette.  While I was there, I had two short but intense workouts.  As I was heavily breathing in the middle of my first workout, my 8 year old sister Marie said, “Melissa, you can take a break you know!”  But I just shook my head, unable to speak and continued with my workout. Sometimes it’s impossible to explain my situation to the people I love, especially my younger siblings.  I also have a 6 year old brother Morgan, and a 21 month old sister Megan.  At their age they don’t understand why I would leave them for a long time to go overseas and cycle.  Morgan doesn’t even understand the concepts of ‘Europe’ or ‘professional cyclist’!  They would rather I come home to live and play with them.  I hate to break their hearts but I hope that someday when they do understand those words, what I am doing and have done will inspire them to believe in pursuing their own dreams.

As my mind draws blank, the weather is looking warmer for this coming weekend.  I plan to reunite with the outdoors and spend hours working on my passion. Maybe along the way I’ll come across another adventure that can become a post on “Chipseal Cobbles and Pedals.”