So much going on right now! Just got over the flu and I'm trying to bounce back endurance-wise. Training for the 6 hours of El Lagarto on January 27th. Riding it solo again and hope to place better than last year. Last year it was my first official race and I managed to pull out 4th place, so this year I think I am in a much better position to place higher. Been training long and hard with my CycleYouth teammates on the trails, with my dad and brother on the road, and at home on the Epic A17U trainer. My brother and I are both privately training with Coach Drew Edsall this Sunday. Totally awesome pro mountain biker! Can't wait to see what he has in store for me. He will make me work long and hard and help me become a much better rider/racer. The 12 Hours of Santos is right around the corner too, February 17th, and I'm teaming up with Cody Burnett and hopefully Adam Cohen. Awesome winning team! Just got my new Niner Air RDO carbon frame in yesterday! So excited to finally build the bike of my dreams. I know my parents say it's not the bike, but the machine behind it....but I think the bike's got a lot to do with it. Qualified for Nationals in Pennsylvania this summer, but I've decided to skip it so that I can train harder for the 2013 FSC season. I'll be racing in the 15-18 class and there is some stiff competition. With hard work and dedication, I know that I will do well this season.

FSC# 9: Santos

This final race was amazing. I had never been to Santos before, so that made the trails twice as fun. The course was very technical with many large rocks. At the take-off, I was right behind the leaders, until a sandy turn caused me to fall. I pushed and pushed and eventually finished third, 2 seconds behind second place. After this race, I finished third for the series. I had an amazing time and plan for a fun season next year in class 15-18.

FSC Make Up Race: Amelia Park, Miami

This race was probably the hardest race for me of the series. The course was extremely difficult. It was made up of several different pump tracks and some technical trails. As we took off I was right behind the leaders going into the trails. As I rounded a tough corner, I slid out. First and second place took off while fourth got ahead. I eventually passed him, but was having trouble with the course. I realized that he was doing much better on this course than me. He passed me again, so I stayed on his tail and followed his lines. About two miles from the finish, I attacked. I opened a gap of about 30 seconds. I placed third in this race and man it was brutal.