A Couple Steps in the Right Direction0

About to cross the finish line at National Champs, Buffalo, NY

This season has been complete with its fair share of setbacks. Although there have been moments where I have felt better than ever in training it seems that I have struggled to get myself to the start line ready to show my best performance.  This spring I faced my biggest setback of my career with a serious bout of overtraining syndrome and sickness that found me starting from what felt like scratch to begin the summer.

Thanks to my family, friends and sponsors who rallied around me to weather the rough patch and keep my eye on my goals, I was able to resurrect my season.  After a solid block of training in Vittoria and Mallorca, Spain this summer with top US athletes and coaches, I felt ready to really have another crack at the racecourse.

My amazing support crew in Buffalo. The lovely Jenna B, and Mom

On September 15^th I competed in the Elite US National Championships in Buffalo, NY, and a week later I found myself on the opposite side of the globe competing it the Yilan ITU Asian Cup in Taiwan.  In Buffalo I came 25^th overall (13th American), which although far from my perfect race it was a significant improvement from where I placed at the National Championships last year (23^rd American).  It proved to be a good idea to fly all the way back to Asia when I scored my best result of the season with a 7^thplace finish at the Asian Cup in Taiwan.

Me and the Aussie Boys Checking out the Race Course in Yilan

My sights are always set on improving and of course I cant wait to notch my first professional win one of these days, but I feel like the past couple of weeks have been a solid two steps in the right direction, after many months that felt like I was sliding backward.

This week I have a chance to compete alongside the very best in the sport at the Cancun World Cup. This will be the second World Cup start of my young career. I’m excited and ready to end this season on a high note racing on the World Cup stage.

Thank you to all that continue to believe in me through all of the ups and downs.

The top 10 finishers awards ceremony Yilan ITU Asian Cup

Wandering the night markets in Taiwan post race. Very Cool!

Yeah those are fried chicken feet…Yum!