Philly Phlyer

So, the Philly Phyler is this weekend, and I think I'm actually going to give it a shot. It's a women's 2/3/4 race, so that's probably better than 1/2/3 and it's a 40 min circuit compared to the other 44 mile road race going off on Saturday. So, wish me luck!
I got on the track for the first time last week. It didn't hurt as bad the next day as I thought it would. I had so much fun! It made me love to ride again, I forgot how fun it is. I'm thinking that I'm going to put more focus onto the track and crits than the road.
So that's my quick update! =)

P.S. Happy Birthday Evannnnnnn!

SATs kicked my butt.

The weather had been so nice lately, I got in alot of miles last week, so that's good. Wednesday at physical therapy, Jay did something different with my back, and it kind of messed me up for the week, but it feels a little better now.
I had my SAT on Saturday. Oh my god! I hate math, it's offical. The reading and essay were a piece of cake, but I had so much trouble with the math. Sitting in a desk for four hours didn't really agree with my back either. I totally crashed afterwards. I ate a Panera sandwich in like, four seconds, and preceeded to sleep for the next 4 1/2 hours, and missed my training. Not good. Sunday I thought I would attempt the derby. I was out in Topton when I saw Juan going the other way, so I turned around and rode with him over to the crit. Juan always tell me to stop worrying about where other people are and just worry about myself, and I think this time he is really right. I can't control what happened to me, or what happened to other people. This season is going to be all about me doing the best I can do.
Other than just more outdoor riding, the weather brings about something else, the end of ski season! I went to work on Sunday night, and it turned out it was my last night for the season! I'll probably go back next year unless I find a job in the Fall. I just dont see how I could work year round and still ride. When I'm in season I have nooo time.
Prom is May 22nd. I'm planning on going with my boyfriend, Evan. He just hasn't asked me yet, but I'm really hoping he comes up with a super cute way to ask me. Prom would make me feel alot better, I think. My scars on my face really bother me, everyone says they aren't even that noticable, but they are to me. I think getting dressed up and everything would feel so good. We want to go to the beach afterwards and stay over at his grandparents house. My mom isn't too into that though....
At school the other day we were talking about hosptials and we started talking about bathrooms. I had to tell everyone how I had to use a bedpan for three days. That was probably one of the worst parts of the whole ordeal. Of all things, you dont expect to lose your ability to get up and use the bathroom by yourself.
Alot of my friends got their papers for the National Honor Society, but since I had to drop trig because of the accident, I won't be able to particpate. I'm really really upset about this. I would've made the cut for sure if I hadn't had a W/F in trig. There was no way I would've been able to get through with missing so much and then all of my appointments.

Summer sun in March!

It's March, and it was 70 degrees today! How crazy is that? Monday I was all bundled up with a hat, gloves, and a coat, and today I got to go riding in shorts and a jersey! It felt so great. When the weather is this good, you can't help but be more motivated.
I had an off day on Friday, but there was no way I was going to stay inside! My friend, Ed, met me at my house and we went out for a pretty decent 2 hour ride. He's such a good riding partner, right now especially, because he's always keeping an eye on how I'm doing when we ride. He made sure we didn't push it too hard. Ed's going to Lehigh to be an engineer, and he let me look at one of his textbooks. I don't know why anyone would put themselves through that! It's all numbers and letters and words and crazy ideas, it made no sense! I'll take my business classes over that anyday! That evening, I went out shopping with my mom. You know your legs aren't as muscular as they were when you can find jeans that fit you in less than an hour...which is probably the only upside.
Today was ridiculously nice. The boys were all in Conneticut with Moonbeam at a training camp for the weekend, Dana's in California, and Toni has mono, so I wasn't sure who to ride with. Juan is sick so he didn't go, and I was hoping to ride with him, but we never seemed to be able to get in contact... I ended up calling my old coach and good friend, Bob Biese and went on a ride with him and his team. I time trialed over to K-town to meet up with the ride, and boy, was I in for a day. The longest/farthest I had ridden up until today was 25 miles in two hours. Today I did 53 miles in 3 hours. I also hadn't really done hills up until this point, but I did that today. I got my butt kicked. I should be in such good form right now, and I'm not. I'm getting constantly getting dropped up hills! I've never been a super climber, but I've never really been this bad before. It was a bit demoralizing, but it was still good to go out and get the miles in. The more I suck, the better I'll get, I guess. The weather made it worth it though, riding without 23487 layers is amazing. It's hard to watch other people get better when I'm not, but I must say, Bailey is looking very strong, as is Katie, but she always is!
I've decideded not to race at all this month and only a little next month. At the end of April, I'm going to decide what I'm going to make my goals for the season. Until then, I'm stil going to be very busy with my cycling, next week will be my biggest volume week since the accident, and I have the SAT next Saturday. Woohoo!

Snow Day, and some rethinking.

Monday was a snowday! I feel like we've barely had any this year, and I could sure use the break. Since my appointments all got canceled due to the weather, I decided it was time to attempt my rollers. In all honesty, I love the rollers. I have no idea why, but all I need is a good playlist and my track bike and I'm set for hours. While I was on I actually felt pretty good, but once I was done my back was in so much pain. I guess you use more back when you ride the rollers than when you ride on the road, especially because I ride without hands most of the time. I could barely fall asleep at night because it hurt so bad, and I had to call off my lifting session on Tuesday. I hadn't expected it hurt so bad after something so little.

Lately, I've been rethinking my season. I want to go to road and track nationals, but I'm not sure if I want to go under these circumstances. I feel as though I've lost so much of my fitness that I will not be able to outdo my achievements from last year, and that I will be good for getting hit by a car. I want to be good period, with no exceptions. I'm thinking about taking this year as a down year, or just staying around here and maybe trying to do some NRC races instead. I guess I'll just wait until the weather warms up, because maybe I'll be suprised with my fitness...

First Group Ride

Saturday, was my third time on my new Orbea on the road, and my first time riding with the team. I was a little apprehensive because my bike handling skills aren't exactly up to par and I'm easily scared, I guess.
In general, the ride wasn't too bad. We rode from our gym in T-town to Topton to do time trial efforts. My heart rate was 190+ the entire time, but I didn't get dropped! By the time we got to Topton I was exhausted. Dana and I just cruised around as the boys did their efforts. We rode from there to the repeat hill, which I wasn't going to do because of my back. Juan was kind enough to not let me pull this week because I got hit by a car. He's so sympathetic. I attempted Dogwood for the first time and made it up with very few issues!
I was exhausted after the ride and fell asleep right after I ate and almost didn't make it to work on time. I was so happy to be back with the group. Since the team is practically my family, to see them so rarely was really hard, it feels good to be back in the loop.
The Training crits started on Sunday, I don't think I'm going to be doing them this year. I might be doing Millport on the 28th, but my fitness isn't really where I would like it to be.

The Accident

To understand what I'm recovering from, I guess you'd have to know what happened, but first a little background on me:

I'm 17 years old and a Junior in High School. I've been racing my bike since I was 14. I'm an 8 time national medalist. I love racing my bike and have set high goals for myself. I am hoping to compete in Junior Track/Road Worlds in Moscow, Russia this summer. I would like to have a career as a professional racer and become a business major.

The story:

On January 4th, 2009, I met Toni for a training ride and we headed into the hills. As we were riding on Dryville Road, I think, I was talking to her about what colleges I wanted to attend. I was saying how Fort Lewis is so far away, but I love Colorado. The next thing I knew I was on the ground and I heard Toni say "Oh my god, Els!". I had no idea what happened, I asked Toni and she said I was hit by a car. I couldn't really believe it. I hadn't heard any brakes, or seen anything. The woman would later go on to say that she didn't see me because the sun was in her eyes (there wasn't any sun). I was conscious the entire time. I had bitten of part of my lip and all I could taste was blood. My hip and my back were in a lot of pain and I was worried that I had broken my hip or back. I didn't really cry because of the pain, but I did cry when I realized what effect the accident would have on my season. After what felt like forever my dad arrived and started to take care of the situation.

The ambulance came and I was put in. I had all of my winter clothes on that day because I had been so cold the day before. In fact, that morning I told my dad I was going to wear all my winter clothes. They cut everything off, that was one of the worst parts! In the ambulance I asked my dad about the bike, and the people in the ambulance told me it didn't matter, but my dad knew how much it meant to me. He told me that my bike was done, but he had already ordered an Orbea Orca as a surprise for me. Then I said "Daddy, I'm not gonna go to worlds" and once again the people in the ambulance said it didn't matter, but it mattered more than anything. My dad really didn't have anything to say to that, other than don't worry about that right now. Judging by my appearance, I'm sure they wondered if I would even be able to walk. I was flown out in a helicopter and rushed into the emergency room.
After countless tests, I was put into a room and finally had my face cleaned off. My lip was HUGE. I asked my mom to call Zach and Evan. Zach had already heard, and Evan was completly speechless. I don't know how I would react upon hearing that one of my friend's was in the hospital after being hit by a car. It took a few days until I was aware of the full extent of my injuries. The final total was 10 stitches in my lip and 2 chipped teeth, a broken left arm and right hand (which wasn't found out for a few weeks), two compression fractures in my vertebrae, and a bone bruise on my left ankle. All in all I was a very lucky girl.

Toni and Hannah visited me my first night in the hospital. I was so grateful to see them. Toni saved my life, she called 911 and my dad and handled the situation so well. In the end, it really brought us closer. If I could go back in time, I would never have her see that. It must have been horrible to see your best friend be hit by a car.
I know that I've already thanked everyone, but having people come and visit me made my days so much better. I know that everyone has busy lives and the fact that they could take time out to come and see me meant so much.
I missed two weeks of school, including mid-terms, and a total of 7 weeks of training. My whole life was put on hold because this woman couldn't pay attention for 2 seconds.
I was in a backbrace for 4 weeks. Let me tell you, it sucks. You can't really move and it makes you look weird, and its uncomfortable! The back injury was the scariest part. Everyone knows how vital your back is and how easily it can be ruined, I was very worried that it would happen to me.
I currently am in Rehab and have started training again. All I want to do is race my bike the way I know I can.