I Need An Air-Conditioned Helmet

The hardest part of today, was not the 85 degree heat, the feeling of your cramped toes curling inside your shoes, or the attack Kris Sneddon threw down that finally popped me.... it was knowing that I was going to have to write about it later.

After two solid laps in the lead group of 5, I was feeling like a million bucks and actually believing I was going to be on my first NORBA podium as a Pro. Unfortunately that thought is quickly followed by an "however". In one moment, I went from all systems go, to the "check engine soon" light blaring in my face.

The heat had cracked me and within seconds I was one giant cramp, I DNF'd... that won't happen again this year, I promise. Lesson learned: When you are from the cold and your first race is a Marathon in the blaring heat...Take it easy.



The entire Marathon looked like a war zone. If your stomach is queasy, I apologize, but the tough guy of the day award goes to Yuri Hauswald who rode 2 laps like this. Hardcore....



On the side of the course lied a set of gloves and a bike jersey littered in cactus. The entire race I was wondering who that poor soul was.... I found my answer.



Mad props to Jenny Smith for thowing down and winning her first Pro NORBA. Keep your eye on her this season, big things are still to come from this woman.



Tomorrow is another day and another lesson....