Sacrifice

At the young age-range of 21-35 years many distractions and temptations present themselves on a daily basis.  For a cyclist of this age-range trying to make it at the next level, succumbing to these deleterious, devilish, and misguided...also know as FUN...activities may mean the difference between surviving the crucial moments of struggle during a bike race or faltering and being defeated.  

Today is the 4th of July (HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!) and I unfortunately have opted out of the fun partying and debauchery for a phenomenal evening with the parents and grandparents.  I am up in the mountains without any cell service and a complete disconnect exists between the rest of the world and myself, aside from an internet connection allowing me to write this blog post.  My words may seem a bit cynical but I ensure you I have chosen this route for a reason.  You see, in about 4 days we dance toe-to-toe with some of the best professional cyclists in the country and in the world.  Notable names such as Mann, Leipheimer, Horner, Jacques-Maynes, Garcia (FoCo rep!), and Baldwin will be challenged by the force known as Team Legacy Energy.  At this point, nervousness, anxiousness, insomnia, and preparing the physical body are enough to deal with to make any jollification unmanageable.  This means the word fun has to come from a new, different medium.  My grandmother has suggested the Boston Pops (don't worry if you are unaware of its existence), and we can watch a beautiful fireworks display without even leaving the couch.  God bless technology and America!  For my sacrifice, I think I'll have some of that!

-Phil Mann