Rolling around on those boards that first day reaffirmed my belief. I belong here. I recognized the feeling of having arrived and am soaking it all in. I am that much closer to my goal and it feels amazing.

Savor this feeling, this moment. For it's definitely a peak. But who knows, it could quite possibly be a false summit. :) and there's a huge mountain range of life to continue savoring.

I await travel across the international time zone on my way to distant southern hemisphere lands. Where indoor velodromes, international competition and new experiences await. I am tickled and excited for the opportunity that is unfolding in front of me.
I am a world champion!

8 steps closer

I really made some leaps and bounds this past week. The huge training block in LA proved invaluable for my preparation for Melbourne. I leave in six days on that adventure and can't believe I'm chasing my dreams. The reality of them becoming true is mind blowing.

I must keep striving. I must keep on course. It is so close and so ripe for the picking. Focus. Determination. Confidence. Belief.

Just do it.

I just read my friend Dan Harm's new blog he created called Chasing After 2012.

Our lives and stories are fairly similar - in that we both started bike racing in Seattle six years ago with lofty aspirations and ambitions, not sure how life's curve balls would be hit. Yet something about being on the bike would continue to point us in the right direction. Something about pedaling with your heart and soul, pounding out the miles in the cold wet rain - would one day materialize into what you dreamed about for so many years.

Dan's blog is extremely inspiring to me. It reaffirms my desire to strive toward my own goals - which are similar to his. And how cool it is to have these big goals - and be able to reach for them.

And now - here we both are. Going to the world cups this winter and taking another big step closer to realizing our dreams. Unreal.

World champions are made a day at a time... and you are the master of your own destiny. Just do it.

Getting there

Well, the first step to winning the lotto is to buy a lotto ticket.

And the first step to winning the world championships is going to the world cups. With that being said - I'm going to Melbourne for the first round and get to experience what international competition will be like.

here we go!!!!

World champ, world champ, world champ...

Despite the screaming leg synodrome I'm having right now, the past week has been several steps in the right direction. Actually, more like quantum leaps. This world cup contender has been something I've always strived for and have had tucked away in may back pocket, yet always there. Little did i know that this year would be the time to whip out that deck of cards and make my dreams become a reality. It's actually happening. I'm making it happen through all of my hard work, dedication, determination and will. How cool is that?

Don't worry - I haven't forgotten! I've just been busy taking steps to get that much closer. Last week was a wonderful realization that I can make my dreams come true. And that hard work and dedication can pay off huge dividends. This week I get to continue working toward my dream and making my world champion become a reality.

Dare to dream.

I'm getting that much closer. Even in a taper phase. No need to panic - just continue what I"m doing and making those strides closer to my main goal everyday. I look forward to demonstrating my ability next week!

Even when I'm busy I'm getting closer....

Swamped! Hope to write more soon.

Must not lose sight of my goals - even if distraction lurks and optimism is squashed.....

Keep on keeping on! I love trainer rides indoors when it's pouring outside. Love them love them love them!

To provide inspiration: Jennie, Sarah, Seabiscuit

To relax: Mountains, ocean, summits, breathing

To reduce stress: breathing, cooking, mountains

To feel good: massage, laughter, sun

To heal: warmth, peaceful spots

To create positive feelings about yourself and your performance: winning cat 3 omnium, talking with Kym.

To dream big dreams: World Cups and world champion.

To see your goals: Each workout gets me that much closer.

To refine skills: seeing the times come down and technique perfected.

To improve relationships: letting those I love know it by voice and actions.

To act and react in helpful ways: helping those in need.

To strengthen your confidence: believing in yourself and knowing anything is possible.

To open the door to higher levels of excellence: continuing my steps toward being a better athlete.

To keep the joyfulness in your life: balance, bikes, laughter.

This morning I held one side of a wishbone with Chris. Right before pulling it apart, we made a wish. Guess what came to my mind easily? Yep. And guess what? I got the bigger portion of the wishbone so you know it's going to come true. Ha!

Some days it feels like an impossible, improbable proposition. But each day I work that much closer to achieving my goal. It's not going to be easy, that's for sure. Especially when life wants to sway my direction... and making those choices is never easy. But I will get there - and have to hold fast to my desire and dedication.

A training day closer...

Yesterday was a good one. A hard one, but a good one nonetheless. Pushing those pedals through quick sand and laboring through, driving through the pain and lactic filled legs. Wow. I'm getting that much closer.

Each practice and experience provides another opportunity to strengthen your weaknesses and sharpen your strengths. Yesterday I got to work on the harder part - the weakness. And although it's humbling and difficult - each pedal stroke is one revolution closer to my goal. We were FLYING yesterday. I'm learning to detach any emotion or thinking to those hard efforts - and just letting the body take over. When the mind and body preform as one - amazing things happen. Let go of any self doubt or worries and just be. And yes, cruising at 34.5 mph will get you there too.

World Champ, World Champ World Champ....

Yesterday had a nice break through. In our 3x 500m sessions, I was able to complete the last one stronger than the first ones. I'm building my lactate threshold and the interval sessions with Jennie are working! Pretty stoked about this.

Even when i didn't feel like getting my body to move today, I did it anyway. Because I have a big goal in front of me - and I felt better after I got the blood going anyway. A champion is made a day at a time!

I spoke with Colin this weekend at a local club team race. We discussed the notion of what kind of mentality he has in prepping for races at the track, as well as what he's used in the past for swimming.

- detached emotion. Just be in the moment, let your body do what comes natural. This is specific to training, competition, performance, etc. Ignore hyping your self up, wigging out, external or internal pressures, etc. Everything else is white noise.

- predetermined actions. thinking about exactly how it will go, and it will be. All of your training up until that point has been done, homework completed - now it's go time. So you just go.

And I just came to the realization - that if you can let go of the ego and put aside any notions that a performance, a training run, a result, etc defines who you are. Instead you just do something for the love of it, the passion of it, the feel of it - then a true harmony will exist. Between mind and body and the ability to move both at the same time.

"The important part in achieving, or even coming close to what you dream of doing, is a retention of purpose. Every day you're going to have a choice to go a little bit closer to where you want to get, every single day. And then there will be some break points in your life where you really fundamentally choose whether you're going to head that direction or not. And if you don't make that choice, if you don't change direction you will end up where you're headed. Guaranteed. So you need to fundamentally choose which direction you want to go and start headed that way and maybe you'll get to where you want to go."

One step, one workout closer.

A new day, a new way to get that much closer to my dreams. Just by having those dreams, I feel like I'm in a dream. Pursuing it with such passion and enjoying every moment.

I love the challenges this brings, the humble pie that comes with it, the successes, the lessons it brings and the commitment it takes.

And I am fortunate to be training with a World Champion and picking up on her cues on how to get there. Pretty stoked about it.

The steps...

Every day is a new opportunity to get that much closer to becoming a world champion. The things we do today can directly affect what we do tomorrow and years from now. Are you doing everything within your capacity to make those right decisions? Are you training right? Eating right? Recovering and resting right? Eliminating unnecessary stress? Staying true to yourself and your dreams?

Mindful actions speak wonders in reaching this goal. I am not only preparing my body for the physical challenges, but also sharpening the mind to get closer to where I want to be. I read books, I think about my goals, I work on the mental aspect of training at my full potential so that I may perform at my potential. I visualize scenarios in my head multiple times a day of success, which in turn gets me that much closer to realizing my hopes and aspirations. And above all, I maintain a positive, can do attitude that reflects in my everyday life and passions.

I have visions of performing well on the world cup circuit. I imagine and believe in myself in having the strength and ability to get there. It puts a smile on my face thinking about getting there and I am enjoying the journey throughout.

I have the engine and ability of a world champion. Yes!

It puts a smile on my face as I visualize myself as a world champion.

Imagine executing the following events perfectly:

Flying Lap
Points Race
Elimination Race
3k Pursuit
Scratch Race
500m TT

Woman's Madison

I know, I know. This seems a little out of hand - but I think you get the point. The mind is a powerful thing and anything is possible.

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Getting Started...

I believe in myself and have what it takes to be a world champion.

My goal is to post this affirmation as much as possible until that belief becomes a reality.

I am a world champion.