033: Just 'cause I'm shallow doesn't mean that I'm heartless

Just 'cause I'm heartless doesn't mean that I'm mean....

Busy weekend.. Played with new camera, so it's Photo Blog Time! :

Friday night we went to Lauri's to hang out, she got dressed for the occasion.
Tom came down to work on my back. He worked my knots, and helped me out greatly. I had to borrow a pair of Brian's shorts:
For some reason Tom wouldn't massage me while I was wearing my boxers?
Saturday morning Diane was off to do some openers before the rain really started to pour.
I got to tag along. I rode my new cross bike. new cross bike, I think I'm falling in love with you...
Saturday Night -Diane, Tom
Jake
and I headed down to the Twenty 20 Cycling Company Grand Opening and Silent Auction.
Auer Power was ring master at this great time :
The party was rad:
Tom surveys the crowd that has lots of teammates and friends!
Norman
Meatball and date
Regan and Wes, and Wes'es hair
Monkey, Breyla-la and Harlow
The Pedersons
John H III
Sweet Johnny and I:
And three important things to see in this picture:
Heidi who looked smashing, Mr. H part of the heart and soul of our team, and Heidi's cupcakes. I don't even like cupcakes, but Heidi's cupcakes are SOOO Good and decadent...

Speaking of cake:
God Damn that DJ Made my day:
Sunday Morning we were up early and headed for the Summer Sizzler put on by the D and Q team. Chris Arterburn and team put on a great show. On the drive over we saw our teammate Kevin Dillard:
Seeing Kevin, we knew it was an omen and we'd have a great day!

This week was a little hectic. I figured out that I wasn't racing, which was the most peaceful of it all. Diane was set to compete for this first time in over a year. She was pretty nervous. Coming back from injury, not racing in over 13 months, all week was pangs of self doubt for her. "is my knee strong enough?" "am I going to get killed?" "Can I still do this?"

I tried to re-assure her, and at the end of the day, I think I was as nervous as she was. It was a truly a blessing that I wasn't racing.

Barry and Fort James were kind enough to take Diane and Anne around for a pre-ride...
Tom said to Diane as we dropped him off last night, "monk, you're a racer once you pin on the number, you'll know what to do." Despite me making some similar comments all week, coming from Tom, I think she found it calming. We had talked about her taking a more conservative start. We talked about pacing.

We then gun went off, Diane started strongly and fast, hitting the single track in 3rd:
Damn cross racers.

I raced from the start finish to the mid point of the lap, making sure monkey had water, and Gatorade... Monkey threw down her best down:
And finished with a strong 4th place.
Better than either of us had expected. I'm not sure who was more relived or ecstatic Monkey or me. I couldn't have been prouder of her, I doubt have the words. Monk walking to the prize table:
after her race, we hung out and fed some of our expert/elite friends:
Okay, we mostly sat around and shot the shit:
Seriously, I think supporting today was tougher on me, than anytime that I've raced the sizzler.
wow. I don't really think words can capture how proud, and happy I was today... It's been a long hard fight for Monkey. Tenacious Monkey indeed.

L-web decided to race with her eyes shut:
Andrew, Slick Rik and Jimmy Rock:
yup, that is a coke can on Jimmy's head:
got to hang with Travis and Blake a bunch today too, great folks...
Monkey relaxing, enjoying some frozen peas after the race.
Full weekend for sure. Great friends, not too much riding, but as blessed as I am, I'm not complaining... Really good.

I will sleep well tonight for sure.

thanks for reading.

respect.
fatmarc