Mike is headed to Bend, Oregon this afternoon to compete in the last stop of the USGP of Cyclocross this weekend. He is in the lead of the 45+ Category by a mere 2 points over Tim Butler. Real life sometimes just gets in the way of the things we do for fun - We've all seen Mike's results and riding recently and we know he'll be lucky to pull out the series win.
But Mike was lucky already. Mike was lucky to hold onto that 2 point lead going into Bend. Mike is lucky that he is able to get off a few days work to even go to Bend. Mike is lucky that he has an understanding wife that will let him jet off to Oregon to race his bike. Mike is lucky to have had a really successful early season to set him up with enough points to be competing at the end. Mike is lucky enough to race for a great team that has set him up with equipment and support. Mike is lucky enough to have had 6 great moments on the podium this season putting that leaders jersey on. Mike's luck goes on and on and in my heart and mind, he has won already.
As you've read several times this season, our family has been in major transition. After 10 months on the market, we sold our house in June and moved into an apartment for what we thought would be a short time. We were primed and ready to pull the trigger on our next dream house. Well the months went by and nothing. It was an adventure at first and we thought it wouldn't be hard because we had done it before when the kids were 3 and 5. Not so much.
I'll spare you the gory details, but 4 grown people, 2 dogs and 5 cyclocross bikes, 2 mountain bikes and 3 road bikes in 1000 square feet that was also serving as Mike's office was either going to make us or break us. And it nearly has broken us a few times, I will admit.
This week we were lucky enough to find our next house. Working out of this apartment while dealing with all of the issues, weather and bikes involved with cyclocross has been hard. Our life has been like that sliding piece game where you have 9 slots with one empty and you have to slide the pieces around until you get them all in the right order. You have to move this bike to open the front door, you have to move this bike to open the sliding glass door, you have to climb over this bike to get to the table, etc. It has added an extra layer of stress on the season.
But again, layers of lucky. We were lucky to have a roof over our heads these past few months. I know our problems in comparison to so many others are miniscule, so I am not complaining at all, but am very thankful for the outcome.
So, here we are back at the series finale. And it doesn't matter how it all comes out in the wash, Mike has been very lucky this season. Please don't tell him that I am proud of him already. I can type it here because I know Mike doesn't read my blog. And you can't tell him yet because I am Mike's biggest critic as well as biggest fan. On the one hand, I very proud of him. On the other, I expect the most out of him (and Ian) every time they get on the bike. Some may perceive this as anger as I'm yelling at them in the race, but I know what they are both capable of and I expect 100% effort every time. If I just told them "Oh, it's okay. Just go out there and see how it goes", it's like giving them permission to go at 70%. And that wouldn't be fair to them. When I expect 100% out of them, I in turn give them 100%. This includes being hard on them when it is needed. So what I'll tell Mike when he leaves today is that I expect him to come home the USGP series winner. I know he can do it!! That if he doesn't win he'll have to find another ride home from the airport...Just Kidding!!
After the USGP finale I can't say what will happen for my racer. Right now he is fighting for days off from work for Nationals. It may happen for him, it may not. And if it doesn't happen, Worlds may not happen either. A major deadline at work and thus a paycheck and health insurance ranks above cycling. Some may think this is sad, but how lucky are we? A job! A paycheck! Health Insurance!
Predicting Mike's work schedule has been like listening to the weather 10 days in advance, we won't count him out until he's out. If his luck continues, we'll see him on the start line for both!
NOTE: Ian and I are headed to Wisconsin with Ray Smith for Badger Cross. I'm itching to get my eyes and Ian's tires on that Natz venue. I'm breaking the winter coat and heavy boots for the first time this season. It's put up or shut up time!
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