Juxtaposition: 2011 Year-in-Review
20 Dec
[juhk-stuh-puh-zish-uh n] noun
1. an act or instance of placing close together or side by side,especially for comparison or contrast.
2. the state of being close together or side by side.
There is so much I could compare and contrast side by side.
2010 2011:
So similar, yet so different.
Here I sit, writing, December 2011 nearing a close (we are, afterall, only 11 days away from 2012), thinking back on all of the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2011.
How do I sum it all up? How much has happened, how little happened, the juxtaposition between the shining achievements in 2010 for me and the sunken lows of not racing or training the majority of 2011, but the joy of watching Justin shine.
January in the pool:
February high frequency low duration on the rollers:
March Justin wins for the first time:
April my foot is mostly healed, though the scar remains:
May no Europe trip means a Euro car:
June camping in the mountains:
July the best of the best:
Sweet, sweet, July… How do I choose just one? By making my own rules of course.
Utah -
Idaho (race) -
Idaho (vacation) -
Colorado (vacation) -
August on the cross bike:
September Elite racing at its finest:
October winning:
November 4 years in the making:
December closes it out:
Well, as they say, ’tis the season. For athletes that often means it’s time (or just past time) to look back on your previous season and evaluate, re-evaluate, and move forward.
Do I think I have black death foot solved? By no means do I think it’s gone forever. I am hopeful that Justin’s theory is correct, and that with his support we are doing what we can.
Between electric heated socks and winter shoes, I should be ready for January in Wisconsin, much less Southern California.
What can I take from my lessons this year?
No one is immune from injury or setback. I had wrongly thought that my lack of athletic background meant I didn’t have any previous-sport injuries or odd physical limitations. Wrong! Who knew the structure of my foot plus a somewhat questionable “phenomenon” would lead to so much misfortune and gloom? It’s a foot, afterall. Who even pays that much attention to their feet?
I’ve learned some sitting on the sidelines. There’s joy to be had in watching others battle and succeed, and in being the cheerleader, the photographer. Athletics and sport are fickle. When one day we think we’re on a solid path of progression suddenly we can wind up hitting the deck, with little warning, and be back at square one, not unlike a rank beginner, but one that has tasted some success, and then the bitter taste of being so far from it. Photography, while not my first choice for major hobby, is one I’ve taken up before, and like riding a bike – it will always be a part of my life. My camera purchase this past March will definitely keep me occupied and happy for years to come. I’ve taken over 10,000 photographs in less than a year. While I hope to take far less in 2012 (it’s hard to take as many photos when you are racing!), I love having it for races and events.
My ultimate destination in cycling hasn’t changed. I still want to compete with the best and race internationally. I’m doing what I can to keep myself healthier this winter, and I know I have a solid core team of support members that are helping me get through to March actively, healthy, warm, and on the bike. Between Justin helping me dress for success, keeping me in check, and dealing with my electric battery cords and wires, and a coach that is keeping my volume in check, keeping me indoors when I need it, and making sure I’m pushing plenty hard for December, I know as long as I keep myself on a clean slate, recover, rest, and reduce my stress levels, I’ll be ready to go in 2012.
My journey is continuing similarly to 2010 and 2011, with Justin as my partner in crime and main supporter. Behind him (and Visa, of course), we’ll be riding for Bikes4Boobs (benefiting Mammograms in Action) powered by Rock N’ Road.
For now, as December 2011 comes to a close, I look forward to the day, in 2012, sometime in March, April, or May, when I can honestly say that I’m past the winter and the cold, and my foot is fine. I know that day will come, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Here’s to the flip side -
After a successful 2010 that led Allison to her 1st international competition, at the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, she succumed to an injury that kept her off the bike and out of training for 2011. Missing out valuable training time, race experience, and needed results in 2011, Allison has ensured 2012 will be a solid year of training, racing, and new experiences across the country and internationally where she plans to race and promote Bikes for Boobs benefitting Mammograms in Action. She continues to ride and race with mutual support from Rock N' Road Cyclery in Orange County, as well as with her husband, Justin.
I love this post!! Truthful to the challenges you have had but ever optimistic about the future. THAT is part of what makes you an excellent athlete!
Hi Allison,
Always enjoy your posts and it’s been a pleasure getting to know this cross season. Thanks for being a part of it all from racing to clinics to supporting women in cycling! Happy Holidays
Good stuff Allison! Way to stay positive and turn 2011 into another great year! Looking forward to seeing you and Justin at more races.
Good luck keeping that foot healthy! While my broken collarbone does NOT compare to your foot woes at all, I will say the coolest thing about being on the sidelines was how impressed I was watching the women we race against! I got warm fuzzies seeing how strong, fast, happy, friendly and genuinely kind everyone was. It is a different perspective watching instead of racing. It made it that much sweeter to get back to it. Here’s to a strong, healthy 2012!
See you at Temecula in March!
Hi Allison. I wish you and Justin a nice Christmas and a successful 2012 season.
Steph hit it on the head. I’ll just add that your honesty, intensity and passion are evident on the bike and in your words. Thanks for sharing your story and best of luck in 2012!