April 24

Robyn is now 27!!! Happy Birthday Robyn!!!












We just got back from our trip to a place called Lari, which is part of the provence of Pisa. Its about 15 km away from pisa where the leaning tower is found. The race was killer and as were the others, difficult. It was fairly hilly with about five small climbs that were 5-7 km long each and about 10 % in steepness. but the last one was the killer one, it was 9 km long and 13%. very steep and i actually fell off the bike at one point. my legs stopped working and i couldnt go any further, so i just unclipped my feet, then took a load off, and lost some fluids... I had no water left in my bottles and the weather was really hot. But I eventually got up the climb. Coming down the other side i was really worried that I had lost the peloton and would never catch up. I said a little prayer and within minute i had this guy that wasnt in the race and must have been 6 foot 3 at least 230 pounds come up behind me flying and i drafted off him till i caught up with the rest of the pack. It was seriously a miracle cause he just disapeared afterwards. after the climb there was about 15 km to the finish line. I broke away from the pack a few times but the wind kept me coming back to them. then at the finish line we sprinted for the line and amazingly i won my first sprint!!! It felt good and I have my coach to thank for the increased power and speed.
Robyn was at the finish line sceaming for me . it was a good race!!
after the race we watched some parachuters jump and land at the finish line.
Next week I race here in bologna The 10 Mountains of Bologna its called.