First time in Japan: can’t wait to go back

Japan: loved the food, and the people were incredibly polite. I ate rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and was always trying new treats (salad, miso soup, and curry for breakfast? Yes please!) Yokohama was my first race post London and it felt great to be racing again.  I was mentally itching to race, however I was a little flat.  The swim was slower than normal.  We started biking and it basically all came together.  I rode timid, even though I had more confidence than ever on the bike –I think I just forgot how to race? Got to the run, and I finished as strong as I could.  I ended up getting 8^th behind teammate Sarah Groff.

The day after the race Sarah Groff, Vicky Holland and I went on an excursion to downtown Tokyo.  We found an Olympic Games 2020 festival.  We attempted to tell them we were Olympians, but I don’t think they could understand us.  Nonetheless, they welcomed us with open arms, teaching us how to make green tea and giving us chocolate treats.  It was an incredible experience and the green tea was delicious – we whipped it until frothy and drank up (picture)!

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After we went to a park with a shrine.  It was beautiful (picture).  We were famished by this time, so we went to find food, which was difficult as Vicky has a food allergy: Fish (so we tried to find something that wouldn’t have fish, fish sauce, etc. which is like trying to find something without cheese in WI). We ended up going into a packed restaurant downtown where you used an ATM-like machine to order your food and pay (picture).  You then sat down, and your meal was delivered shortly.  It was something I’d never experienced before.

On the way home I was craving a bubble tea.  Sarah thought she knew a place that served it.  We walked up to the window to order, but the man behind the counter had no idea what I was saying.  I was pointing at pictures and trying to show him what I wanted.  Five minutes later he was back in the kitchen whipping something up as I prayed he knew what I wanted (picture).  Thankfully I had paid for a bubble tea and was happily ready to pack my bags and head to Wollongong, Australia.

I spent the past few weeks in Wollongong training.  It was beautiful and great weather (picture).  I flew to New Zealand on Wednesday for the World Champs in Auckland this Saturday, October 20^th.  I’m excited to race.  It’s a tough, hilly course where no one can hide on the bike.  Excited for a tough race to end the season.

Off Road

I’ve never been so unprepared.  I showed up at Tuesday Night Cross (TNC) in Minneapolis, MN with my cyclocross bike.  The bike was perfect, and I felt like my fitness was great.  But I lacked essentials: mental will and skills.

I had ridden my cross bike a few times at the river bottoms in MN (my favorite place to ride – it’s beauty is unbelievable - See Picture To Left), however I hadn’t worked on CX skills.  And TNC is all skills.  The course is wide open with no place to hide.  There were two straight sections, lots of technical switchbacks, and a few barriers.  ITU’s use of the word “technical” made this course seem impossible.

Pre-race I rode two laps of the course and was almost in tears.  I’m a bit clumsy and had fallen down a flight of stairs earlier that week causing a huge bruise on my hip.  I was scared of falling on the bruise and was having trouble with the switchbacks. I knew I wasn’t prepared and knew this would be an embarrassment.  I had a conversation with myself – I kept saying I couldn’t do it, however I knew it was more that I wouldn’t.  I had to make a choice: swallow my pride and race, or walk away.

I decided to race, however, I wasn’t mentally in it.  I was scared of falling, and weary. The race started and I killed the straight sections.  Then the technical sections started.  I’d dismount, hop the barrier, and attempt to mount….minutes later the field was ahead of me.  I’d sprint only to get passed again.  It was humiliating.  I finished the race reluctant, knowing I need more work.  The only way I would improve my bike handling skills and power was to continue CX.

A few days later, I headed to Cable, WI, to watch Chequamegon.  It was an awesome experience.  The serenity in Cable reset and rejuvenated my mind and body.  My boyfriend, Patrick, his dad, and I stayed with Denis Kruse (in the yellow jersey below).  His cabin is incredible, and his generosity remarkable.  His house was full of entertaining, fun personalities.  I could listen to Steve Tilford and Denis talk all night!

gwen Cheq

Almost everyone in the house raced; but I was a spectator.  The athletes were incredible – fellow Olympian Lea Davison was racing in the women’s field.  We met after the race and were having a great time with the Little Bellas, until she asked me about my CX experience.  Apparently word travels fast!

Heading back to MN, I know I need to do things I don’t want to, such as CX.  It’s not going to be an easy journey, but I’m excited to improve.  Next, I will be racing the WTS race in Yokohama and the WTS finale in Auckland.

Olympic Rewind

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Leading up the race I was calm, nervous, confident, and ready.  I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be, and this was only possible because of the loved ones I had surrounding me.  My mom, dad, sister, boyfriend Patrick Lemieux, and coach Cindi Bannink were there before the race.  Pat and Cindi were there for the week leading up to the race.  It was a huge blessing to have them in London before my race.  They kept me calm throughout the excitement of the Olympics.  During the race I had tons of friends who joined: Maggie Lach, Kate Fahje, Hannah McDougal, Sara McKinley, Sarah Hurely, Sarah Burd, Kelly Fillnow, Dave Anderson, and more! USAT also made sure we had everything we needed: Dr. Alex Keith chiro, Kim Kirkland massage therapist, Joe Santos bike mechanic, Jono Hall team leader, and Andy Schmitz high performance director.  These are the people who make it possible for us to succeed.  They keep our bodies ready and minds at ease.  Andy Schmitz organized the trip; he had everything we could ever need in his back pocket – I’m still trying to figure out how he does it!  I’d request an open water swim, and the next day we drove to a lake in Guildford that had buoys and multiple people swimming on the man-made open water course; I’d request almond or peanut butter which I couldn’t find in the stores, and it’d magically appear the next day; I’d ask for directions and would instantly be given turn by turn instructions with landmarks I’d know…Andy knows all!

Race morning was like any other race day.  I woke up and went through my routine of eating, putting on my numbers, and warming up.  We were called out to the pontoon and everything was like a normal WTS event (except for the crowd which was something I've never experienced before! It was amazing!)

The gun went off and I swam as fast as I could.  I wasn’t happy with my position and got caught around the buoys, but was able to move up on the straights.  Coming out of the water, I was in shock when I saw who I was coming out of the water with.  I knew I was going to have to go for it on my bike.

I got on my bike and started hammering.  Less than two laps later, I knew something was wrong and had to stop at the pit to fix a mechanical issue.  At the time, I was in a strong chase group and we were closing the gap.

I had never had a mechanical problem before and was shaky and nervous.  I got to the pit and was a bit frantic.  The volunteers just kind of looked at me and I had to think quickly.  I grabbed what I needed, made sure my bike was working and after what seemed like minutes, I was on my way, back on the course.

I saw a small group in front of me and hammered to latch on.  A half of a lap later, I had bridged up and started trying to close the gap on the leaders.  The rest of the bike I tried my best, and did what I could given the situation.  I started the run and was determined to run hard.  Although I didn’t have my best run, I am satisfied with my effort.

I’ve received emails, tweets, posts, calls…and everyone was either congratulating me or motivating me to continue by saying I had a tough break.

To be honest, I didn’t have my best day, and the flat was unfortunate. But it’s part of racing.  I was determined to race hard to the end.  Being in the Olympics is an honor and something I will never forget.

london sara sarah

London 2012 was about “inspiring a generation.”  I finished my race and realized I inspired myself.  I inspired myself to come up with a four-year plan for Rio.  A lot can happen in four years, and I know my plan will change, but for the next four years, I’ll have one main, long-term goal: qualify for Rio.

I’m fortunate to have sponsors, friends, family, and fans supporting my journey.  It’s often hard in non-Olympic years, but I’m lucky because I have support.  There is no way I can achieve my goals without the support of others.  I am thankful for not only the support, but also the experience of representing the USA as an Olympian. And I am looking forward to the next four years.