Mountain Biking Picture of Me, Tongue Out, Elbow Bloodied, Wins Award

Thanks to Conner Jay, photojournalist at The Salinas Californian, I will be immortalized with lolling tongue and crimson elbow. The dramatic photo he took of me after I crashed my mountain bike and skinned my arm on the pavement captures my determination to cross the finish line despite my injury at the Monterey County race in February. I was delighted that he submitted the picture of me, titled "Hardcore" for recognition.  Conner wrote me on April 19, 2010 at 10:41 p.m.

"I thought you might like to know my photo of you won a few awards recently. The National Press Photographers Association and San Francisco Press Photographers Association both gave it first place in their monthly clip contest. Check it out."

Thanks, Conner! Let's hope your next photo of me will be standing proud on the podium!

Judges’ comments for the category

First Place..A different kind of react from a sports event. Kinda of a "pride in the pain" shot. Second Place..Great contrast from victory to defeat in this photo. Third Place..Falling to your knees emotion is hard to find at golf tourneys, and that's what makes this a winner too.

Photographers Leslie Renken, Matt Dayhoff, Ron Johnson, Fred Zwicky of the Peoria Journal Star

Sea Otter Classic Bike Festival: Bad News, Good News & Wise Friends

The 2010 Sea Otter Classic wrapped up its 20th anniversary one week ago today in Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, California. On Saturday, April 17, I raced the cross country mountain bike event,  a very hilly loop of 20 miles, in the women's sport class. Here's my previous post on other fun stuff at the event.

THE BAD NEWS: I came in 22nd out of 24 in my age group. That's the slowest time ever for me at that race. I struggled during the race with feeling bad about my lack of fitness. I battled, not with other racers, in this case, but with my own effort to stay positive and enjoy the strength of my body and the beauty of the spring days and wildflowers. I realized that this is my top priority - mental training! In the end, it's what really matters to me. And I have great friends whose words of wisdom help keep me focused! See below.

THE GOOD NEWS: Mental training is key, but I want a stronger body, too. So, thanks to my result at Sea Otter, I have also been inspired to build my endurance and strength.  I have enjoyed four daily rides in a row, all with friends - three mountain bike rides, Thursday through Saturday. Then today, to top it off, I got out the road bike and toodled up the scenic Highway 1 to Davenport.

On Apr 19, 2010, at 11:43 AM
Andrew Murray wrote:
"Ya know, you showed a lot of guts and heart out there on Saturday. I know how sick you were earlier and how little training you got in before SOC.  That’s a tough ride to jump into."

 
On Apr 18, 2010, at 5:20 PM
Jim Langley commented:

"It was nice seeing you down there and I'm impressed that you're such an accomplished racer. Don't take any guff from those wannabes. Keep getting out there and having fun. That's what it's all about."

On Apr 18, 2010, at 10:41 PM
Henrietta Stern wrote:
"That sense of personal pride for hanging in there and doing your best when bailing would have been so easy is "winning" just as much as coming in first place-- You rock!"

 • Henrietta Stern, right, captured FIRST PLACE in her cross country mountain bike race! 

• Andrew Murray, far left, battled to the podium finish in 5th place in cross country.

• Jim Langley both raced and stayed busy as a bike industry/media insider.