Wow,
THANK YOU all for your kind comments--on this thread and at the track. I had so much fun in Reno; I don't think that I have ever been to a more exciting race in my career! Thanks to all the Utahns in attendance for their support during the race.
What I was really impressed with was how well our Utah riders did. Fall Reno has always been a very tough race for everyone. Yet, we had several riders who did very well--even if they did not make their main--considering the competition we all were facing. The nice thing about the arena is Reno is that you get to actually watch most, if not all, of the races. Great job everyone! Be sure to wish TP and Matt Baisley a speedy recovery from the carnage this weekend. Matt went to the hospital to get checked out (he was having a hard time breathing) but fortunately it was only a separated shoulder. Todd got his front tire nearly ripped off in the first main on Saturday down the second straight, and had to put his foot down to avoid falling. He jammed his heel into the ground really hard. While he was able to finish the last two mains on Saturday, his foot did not farewell the following morning and was barely able to ride (or even walk). Get well guys.
Some of you may be wondering what is going on here. You might remember a thread that was started at the end of June last year about how I had decided to quit racing. Let me just say this, during that time I was becoming quite frustrated with BMX. It seemed like I was unable to get fast enough to not just be competitive in my class, but to be successful. Since that time last year, I decided to occupy my time with playing basketball. This actually turned out to be one of the most valuable experiences in my (short by some) lifetime. Because I learned something very valuable.
Take a look into this example. I have raced since I was just a young kid (6). As I became older, my parents and I decided that I should commit my time to BMX, passing on other sports I had participated in--soccer, basketball, karate, etc--to dedicate my life to BMX. By the time I was in my mid teens, I was fast and talented on a bicycle.
Now let me jump ahead back to the basketball for a moment. I played Jr. Jazz when I was younger (8 or 10ish?--idk) but that was the extent of my basketball career. So imagine me, last summer/winter playing basketball purely out of observation from what I saw on the television when I watched the Jazz play. My understanding of the sport was, to say the least, very limited. After fighting through some frustrations and finally sitting back to analyze the situation I had put myself into, I realized something. The people I was playing basketball with have dedicated their lives to basketball, like I did with BMX. So I thought, what would happen if they came and tried BMX? I decided that they would be riding--worse than a novice--like I was playing. And that was when it hit me, like a ton of bricks.
What I discovered was, with that new perspective I had acquired, that I became extremely
grateful for the talents and abilities I am already able to do on a bike rather than my old way of thinking which was probably something like, "Yeah, I'm great on a bike, what's it to ya? I earned it." Now I feel totally different about BMX. I feel at peace with myself, so to say. Actually, the next time I rode, it was actually fun, rather than feeling jaded about it or having it be my "job", my "mantra", my "life".
Sorry if I bored you with my little anecdote or if it was confusing. It is difficult to put feelings into words. I just really wanted to get that out there and share it with the rest of you who may or may not be experiencing what I had been earlier in my life. I suppose this was something I was meant to learn...
Thanks again to everyone. A super special thanks goes to Heather and Ian for helping me out this year and letting me go with them to Reno. Mike Kelley, the gates in the backyard did wonders for last weekend. TP, Arielle, Mont Allen, and of course my parents for their constant support and love, everyday of my life.
Diesel wrote:...
Now I just hope you'll start going to the races!
Diesel
Me too, especially after how much fun Reno was! I have my eye on a few of the up and coming races, but we'll have to see how it goes with school. And what I can do after I graduate from SLCC this semester.
bnd wrote:...
I think T.P. will be turning AA before Travis just on the time he's put in this year alone unless Travis goes on a tear.
I hope TP can do it this year! How cool would that be, a 40 y/o AA!
