So... I'm here in the Denver airport waiting for a flight... with nothing better to do than write a fantastic blog about my experiences this past weekend at collegiate nats in Fort Collins.

Saturday was without a doubt my worst, most disappointing race of my life. I flew in Thursday, and raced Saturday, just in time to maximize the effects of the altitude. As it was, I got horrible altitude sickness and within the first twenty miles of the course, I was suffering a massive headache comparable to the one migraine I've ever had (accompanied by nausea and throwing up) my hands, feet, and face were numb, my muscles had a complete lack of strength I knew I had, and when I started seeing black spots and feeling ready to faint I began to wonder if i should call it quits. I'm not one to not finish a race, and although the pack was long gone, I still did not want to "DNF." However, as I was contemplating this, I was "sent home" by an official, who said that if I turned right instead of left at the next intersection I'd be less than 3 miles from the start/finish. I would be scored from that point along with a couple other stragglers behind me, and would not have a DNF. So I did -- I went back to the house I was staying at and spent the remainder of the afternoon resting, eating, drinking, talking to my coach on the phone (who tried to encourage me as best he could and make sure I knew he wasn't disappointed in me), and, ok, a bit of crying too. By the end of the day though, my spirits were as up as they could be, and I was able to enjoy a banquet dinner/awards ceremony at the Hilton with all the other riders.

Today, Sunday, however, went much much better. I think my lungs were a bit more adjusted to the altitude, cause I raced the 60 minute criterium, stayed with the main pack, and ended up 15th overall. Not amazing, but so much better than yesterday that I couldn't help but be happy. I am so thankful that I was able to finish off the trip with something better than my day Saturday. And as my friend texted me today, "Good job today. I'm glad you didn't quit bike racing" (after I told him in tears yesterday, half-joking, half-not, that I was quitting bike racing).

Meanwhile, as I'm writing this, the majority of the racers are getting drunk out of their minds at the Hilton... (believe me... they had kegs in their bathtubs)... I'm not sure if I should be disappointed or glad that my flight left tongiht...