why not update the blog?". What a fine idea, I say to myself. You may think this post way back in January which told the fascinating story of the Cyclocross Nationals Championship race. Bend, Oregon hosted the 2010 Cyclocross National Championships so once again Rich and I packed up the car and headed out of town for 10 days. First stop- Portland, OR to rush in the Portland USGP Cross race. I raced but Rich didn't (in fact, he opted not to run at all this go around but rather to have a real vacation and just chill). My speed was at 8:30- way too early for me. It was cold and I haven't been feeling really fit or fast so I was a bit down before starting. But, I wanted to race. The line was awesome- one of the best Cross courses ever. I was totally surprised and that made the race much better. I didn't get that big of a first and felt like I was last. I made a couple technical mistakes and seriously thinking about quitting about 5 minutes into the race. But, somehow, I kept going. I ended up picking off some gals and thinking I finished about 15 out of 17. I didn't even need to determine the results- why bother? At about 2 or 3pm I decided to lead a glance at the results. I ended up in 10th out of 17- way better than I thought (but with dozens of way for improvement). Not a bad way to end the day! Rich and I were fortunate to remain in his brother's position in Lake Oswego for the first few years of our vacation. We went out to dinner in Portland, I bummed into an old college friend (random meeting at Deschutes Brewery) and headed back to see the races on Sunday. Our pal Russell had an amazing race on Sunday - one of the highlights of the whole vacation. We ate out Sunday with some pals but pretty much took it easily in Portland on Sunday. Rich's brother was out of township until Monday but Monday we had a big breakfast with him and spent some time chit chatting before heading to Bend. The wrap-up of Turn is best down by flying bullet points:
- Stayed in a home within walking distance to DT. A lot of our friends shared the house- highlight was the hot tub!
- Bend was much, much warmer than last year. We arrived with blow on the land but temps never seemed to dip below freezing. As the week went on, the weather warmed up which meant alot of mud and partly frozen ground to run on.
- I raced on Thursday- didn't do so well. I was crashed out on the first lap, knocked head over handle-bars, dropped my range and my adrenalin went pfft. I put the string back on, shook my head a bit and then jumped back on my bike. I was pretty much last at this point. I tried to get back as many spots as I could but didn't get to close my last lap (leaders caught me). I was pretty upset about having such a pitiful performance in my last run of the season. After a bit of a die by myself, a hot shower and a hot buttered rum- I was better!
- I went skate skiing with my friend Lisa and I was a disaster! I loved it but couldn't get more than an hour or so out of my legs. It is tough!
- Lisa, myselfand some gals from the Group Health race team went skate skiing a pair of years later- I did much better on day 2. I yet take a lot to see but I believe I'd like skate skiing if I had time to complete the sport.
- Rich and I went to multiple post-race fiesta's with our friends and fatigued a lot of time watching some AWESOME cross races. Highlights included watching our teammates and friends race, watching our pal Courtenay place 3rd in the Divsion 2 Collegiate Nationals Women race (representing WWU), watching two local racers duke it out for 1st and 2nd in the Division 2 Collegiate Nationals Mens race (also representing WWU), watching WWU take 1st in the Division 2 team competition, watching our friend Russell lay everything on the job to take 2nd by only a few feet in the very competitve Masters 35-39 age group and generally surrounding ourselves with all things Cyclocross for at least 5 days.
- My birthday was spent watching many of the races I outlined highlighted by watching the pro men and women races. The crew was Amazing and the racing was fast. Those athletes are impressive!
- I spent 2 nights out tearing up the dance floor, ate amazing food, drank amazing beer and felt lucky to be surrounded by friends that I consider family.
- We headed back to reality on December 13 and since then have enjoyed some Olympia local adventures. Once home, I realised I completely messed up my neck on the crash. After passing to the doctor and later over a week of constant pain, was diagnosed with slight whip lash. Am on the doctor now but it'll require some time.
Russell takes 1st in Portland!
Nikole and Rich
Skate Skiing Day 1
Molly and I right before our race- she did awesome out there!
Head down, trying to end the race
Skate skiing day 2 
Rich, Me and Joe celebrating
Spectators 
Final day of racing- sun was out! Beers in the beer garden (also my birthday!). 
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