I haven't written in a year for several reasons. My last post received both good and bad comments, but as other bloggers may attest, one really scathing, threatening personal message is all it takes sometimes to make you say "Screw It!" So I did. All CX season. All Road season.
But I'm back. Not because I have anything great to share, but because I miss writing. It is therapeutic and allows me to work things out in black and white. My memory also sucks and so it gives me record to go back to and say "Aha! That's right. That's what was going on."
So here's what's going on...
After many years of watching Mike race at the top elite levels and Ian working his way up from the 10-12 year old category, their roles have changed. Ian now races at the top elite level and Mike is settling into his 45+ age category knowing that next year he ages up to the 50+ category. I think it's a tough pill for Mike, not that Ian is racing at a higher level than him, but that he is old enough to have to move to the side to let Ian pass him. And he has graciously relinquished the elite race, so that he can support Ian. Ian is oblivious to what his dad is going through, but he should be. He has put in the years and where once beating his dad was the goal, he has reached that goal and has to set new ones. Some day he'll pay it forward to his own kids.
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| Mike at Edwardsville CX 2003-2004? |
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| Mike at BloomingCross 2013 |
For an athlete, getting older sucks. Who am I kidding - getting older sucks for everyone. As they say, youth is wasted on the young. My young right now has finally reached the 17-18 category where a UCI license is required and there is the possibility of being selected to race in Europe at EuroCrossCamp and/or to be selected to represent the USA at the CX World Championships. We have mentally prepared for this for a long time. More so than road, we have seen a long line of our friends and former teammates go through these ranks. First it was Clayton Omer and Andrew Llewellyn. Then it was Drew Dillman, John Francisco, Stephen Bassett and Luke Haley. Now it's Ian and former teammate, Gavin Haley's turn to vie for one of those spots. And it won't be easy. The cyclocross talent in this country grows every year.
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| Ian Racing CX in 2006 |
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| Ian Racing in 2009 |
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| Ian Racing in 2013 |
The McShane gang had our first junior UCI race experience in Providence, Rhode Island a few weeks ago. I was injured, Mike was injured and Ian's weekend was full of mechanicals, but we got those UCI nerves out of the way. Now we are headed into the greatest part of the OVCX season here in the midwest. Cincy3 weekend followed by the Mudfund Derby City Cup weekend are coming up the first two weekends in November. Both have junior UCI races, a blessing for all those that live within driving distance. But it all kicks off with the Storm Eva Sunday, October 27th, a cyclocross homecoming of sorts. Less pressure, more fun, complete with Halloween costumes and prizes. It's the calm before the storm and we look forward to kicking back with friends and beers on our home course.
Life is unfurling quickly. Ian is a junior and the rush to college is on. The days are moving faster, the quest for a high ACT score is real. The days left to train to race to one of those selections are dwindling. You are never prepared for all this to start happening. You think you are, but you aren't.
But I'm not going to worry about all that right now. I've got bigger things to think about. What costume AM I going wear for Storm Eva?? I've got some planning to do! I hope to see you all out there.
L
