Mexican Oro
So, you’d think that since it’s the “off-season” I should have plenty of time to share a post….yeah, well, hmmmm.
I’m getting back into the swing of sharing my thoughts and experiences racing and this past weekend at the Pan American Games seems like a perfect place to start. Before I get into it, I have to give a HUGE thanks to everyone…yes, you and you and you. I had such an awesome experience representing Team USA – my teammates were fun and relaxed, the staff was unbelievable, and all the fans – whether they were in Mexico, on Twitter or facebook – all made the experience better than I could have imagined. Smiles and love to all!
Since returning September 5th from our month long trip in Europe (I’d still like to share some about that…maybe next post, out of order I know) that wrapped up the bulk of the season, I’ve had a bit of fun but was very much looking forward to the Pan Am Games. For those of you don’t know or may be confused, the Pan American Games is NOT the same as the Pan American or Continental Championships. The Continental MTB Cycling Championships are held annually at various locations in Pan America – it’s mountain bike specific, awards a great deal of UCI points and can be compared to the Oceanic Championships and European Championships. The Pan Am Games, in contrast, are like a mini-Olympics. They are only held every 4 years in the year preceeding the Olympic Games. Similar to the Olympics, it is an event where mountain biking AND other Olympic Sports like swimming, softball, soccer, volleyball (you get the idea) form the Pan Americas gather to compete. I qualified for a spot on the team when I placed 2nd at the Continental (Pan Am) Championships earlier this year in Bogota, Colombia. Dig?
Being a mini-Olympics, last week was very special because I got to experience some of the things you experience when going to the Olympic Games. I departed for Houston, TX on Tuesday where myself and the other athletes and staff from all the other sports converged to go through team processing. This was very cool – I loved seeing the different builds, personalities, and characters of the other athletes and sports. It was neat to chat with swimmers, sailers, equestrians (yeah, they flew the horses down there and they fly them to every event!!) and others. It was here that we also received our team-issued clothing and bags along with the guideline sheet outlining which outfit was to be worn for various activities: travel, podium, etc.
Glad there were models to display the outfits...
After a short night’s sleep, we were off to Gudalajara the next day. All the athletes hopped on chartered buses and the USOC made travel and check in a complete breeze – I wish our travels with the bikes and bags were always this easy, but at least I wasn’t trying to figure out how to travel with my horse or javelin pole.
Upon arrival to Guadalajara, the mountain bike team parted ways with the other athletes. This was perhaps one of the only disappointments of the trip. Because the mountain bike venue was nearly a 2hr drive from the athlete village, we did not stay there and also missed the opening ceremonies. On the upside, we were whisked away to the “magical” mountain pueblo of Tapalpa and stayed at a beautiful country club about 15min. ride time from the town. I am definitely coming back…on my motorcycle…
Team arrival to a rainy Tapalpa - the effects of hurrican Jova brough heavy rain, fallen trees & mudslides which closed roads and delayed our arrival by half a day, but the magical city eventually let us in!
The view from our beautiful accommodations just outside of Tapalpa
On Thursday, Team USA and Canada met up and did a brief warm-up into town. We met many excited residents, state police and Pan Am Games personnel. It was fun pausing for some photos before we hit the course…even if there was a machine gun inches away.
Before our pre-ride: Team USA (Stephen Ettinger-R, Jeremiah Bishop-L), Un Federale, and TJ the man who kept the bikes race ready!
Though it all, Team USA staff took excellent care of us. Everyone was so much fun – I couldn’t have picked a better place or group to hang out with in the days before the race. Of course, being fed freshly made corn tortilla chips, salsas, papayas, and pineapple juice in this setting didn’t suck either!
The hotel courtyard near the dining area.
Team USA staff - John and Bernard....the man with the most magical, healing hands! Not pictured, but equally as awesome: Marc "Gully", Ken, and the "secret" agents from the State Department
Getting ready for a muddy course pre-ride with our neighbors to the North
The course ended up being really, really great. We wound through rough cobbled streets in town (we decided that the local suspension-repair shop probably also had a hand in laying the cobbles) and then began a 12-15 minute climb up a steep singletrack which eventually gave way to single track winding through a pine forest. The course was just muddy enough on the rocky descents to add a little pucker factor. For a better idea, here is a spectator’s clip from the women’s race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42_LiectwZg
Happily, the course was not only fun, but the skies cleared, the sun warmed the town, and my legs felt good for race day. From the gun, I charged up the first climb and never looked back. Fans lined the course throughout and words of encouragement helped me to push harder. As I crossed the finish line, I found out that my gold was the first US medal of the games – what an exciting victory! The Pan Am Games is something I’ve always wanted to take part in and I couldn’t have imagined a better experience. To all who made it happen and for all the wonderful congratulatory words – you all make me better and I thank you for that.
Are these things real? One thing is for sure...they're really friggin' heavy!
Victory lunch of freshly made Fajitas, corn tortillas, chips, and a spread of salsas one could charge $8 a jar for in the US
America was proud of us...so much that we were tracked down by the border police at the Houston airport during our travels home. As I came down the escalator to answer the page from a United employee I saw these two officers. "Are you Heather Irmiger"..."Yes" (& uh-oh, what did I do wrong...I swear I didn't smuggle a parrot!). "We are so sorry we missed you at your gate, we had hoped to great you! Can we get a picture of you with the medal?"