Signs of progress

Four from our team drove down to Elma to race in the shadow of a deactivated nuclear power plant (in fact, it's the actual nuclear power plant that inspired Homer Simpson's vocation since Matt Groening went to Evergreen).

None of us had major expectations for the two 13 mile laps; it was being treated as a fun training race, esp after recovering from Walla Walla. I hung with the main pack the whole race during all the attacks, surges, and the first climb up the big hill, which was my one goal. On the second, final trip up the big hill I could feel my lack of hill training as the pack pulled away a few hundred feet from the finish and I had nothing to respond with. That was fine by me, I was getting "on the hill training" and quite satisfied to have hung with the main pack nearly the whole race. I crossed the finish line with a huge grin on my face, completely happy that I felt so good, blessed with putting another spring race under my belt.

My teammates were extremely happy to see me do so well staying with the main pack, pretty much what I did in Walla Walla (ok except for the being dropped in the road race part). They see sure signs of progress in my racing and all important recovery.

This week marks the 2 year anniversary of my battle with chronic fatigue and I really couldn't be happier with where I am. To have made it this far this year is monumental for me. It's one week at a time. Slow, but sure signs of progress.