Confidence

So the last few weekends I have been away stage racing in Texas, Arizona and California! Stage racing is nothing like you would expect it to be, three races in 2-3 days no big deal right? Well after back to back races it starts to pile up.  My first race didn't go as well as I had expected it to, but it was one of my first times out on the road since the fall! After a few races getting dropped pretty hard by the pros, this last weekend at the Tour of Murrieta I finally started preforming like I should! The 2nd day was a 50 minute crit and I was extremely nervous, I kept reminding myself to trust in my training, and after every attack the pace would slow back down.  5 laps or so into the race I noticed we were dropping girls, fast.  Half way through the race pretty much half of the field was gone, and only 3 of my teammates were left in the race with me. I felt amazing, my legs felt great and I wasn't dying… yet.  I ended up finishing on the back of the lead pack, but next race it will be in the front of the lead pack. It was so awesome to be able to hang in the pro123 criterium as a cat 3.  I finally got my confidence back which is what I was waiting for! Now my racing season can officially start! Confidence is a big part of this sport.  If you tell yourself you can do it, you will. If you talk to yourself in a negative way you're going to preform in a negative way.  It may sound crazy but when your only 25 minutes into a 50 minute p123 crit averaging about 25mph nothing is crazy, I totally talk to myself. Not out loud but in my head, I tell myself I can do anything for 25 minutes, how strong I'm feeling, and to trust my training, I practice chasing attacks all the time.  I was so proud of myself for not just hanging in with the big girls, but for hydrating right, believing in myself and not stressing out! I expect to see myself on the podium very soon.