Time Will Tell
// June 23rd, 2008 // Sup
First, and foremost, thank you to everyone who has sent verbal, visual, and mental support. Either via phone, email or this blog. You have all kept my sprits up in this period of unknown. As you all know, I didn’t win the “Automatic” selection to gain birth to my first Olympic Games. While I did not make it automatically, I still have a legitimate shot at “Coaches selection”. Which means, simply that the coaches put forth what they feel is the best candidate for the job, and a committee will second that notion as to who goes. Everyone had the potential to win the selection and automatically go, and now three of the four guys have an equal shot for the coaches selection. Brad Huff, Colby Pearce, and yours truly. It’s really hard because all of us are friends. All of us have been on the road scampering for points and positions to just qualify our country’s spot in the games, and all of us have made that happen. For it to come this far down the line to coaches selection shows a few things. 1.) We’re all good riders. 2.) None of us had an outstanding performance at worlds to be given an automatic position. 3.) Even though we are friends, it’s still a battle. So, what have I been doing. Well, for starters, I was pretty upset that I didn’t crush it at the trials. Everyone thought that was going to be the case, and had me believing it too. Thus, afterwards, I had this incredible feeling of embarrassment. I felt that I let down my team, my fans, my family, myself and on down the line. I couldn’t face the phone, nor emails from anyone. I was too embarrassed to call home and let my parents know that I didn’t know I was going to the games or not yet because I didn’t win the trials. Day 1, I was the 3rd starter to attempt the time. All week I had been flying, going faster than I had ever gone before. Funny how on game day this can change in the blink of an eye. During my ride I was hitting the times I had aimed for. Bobby had set a blistering time, and I was on par to go faster until I saw 5 laps to go. Rather than it motivating me, I let it get to me and my times dropped. As soon as I heard a 17.0 second lap announced I set anchor. I knew that even though I could still make the time standard I wasn’t going to win Trial #1 and mentally told myself to save it for Trial #2 the next day. So with 4.5 laps to go, I was almost coasting and ended with a 3:24, 4th out of the group. Bobby so far was the only guy making the time standard with a great time. Day 2, I was really focused, even though I had no sleep from the night before due to nerves I was feeling alright. I knew it had to be today or it wouldn’t happen. I was first to go off since I was last overall the day before. I went down a gear to make it easier and started hitting the lap times I needed to equal Lea’s time. It wasn’t to be though, half way through I began to fade slightly, but not too much. I ended doing a 3:20 and that ended up being the 2nd fastest for the trials and 2 seconds from my PR 3:18 which I did 2 years ago! Crazy. I’m slower than I was 2 YEARS AGO! Actually, I just haven’t done enough track to be smooth since then. I was all over the place, fight for every ounce of energy, and wasting more by fighting. That’s the catch 22 when you can’t relax. You fight a losing battle over relaxing vs. aerodynamics. So, here I am. Waiting. I’m in Boulder staying with the Phinney’s getting in some volume as if I made the team. I’ve made a in depth training plan, and have everything in order in case I get the nod. Train as if you made the team. As soon as I know, you will all know. I have an enormous base of miles and racing in, by the time 8 weeks is up between now and Beijing, well…you come to that conclusion.
32 Responses to “Time Will Tell”
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Mike
You are a rock star!
No one is let down by your performance. Hope you make the Olympic team, of course, but you have been amazing all year and have nothing to feel bad about. Well, except losing your license plate. That sucks.
Anyway, it was good meeting you at the Chipotle thing in NYC. Thanks again for coming to the Big Apple to make a Big Burrito in front of some Big Fans. Big big big. I know we were all thrilled to meet the guys. I imagine they’ll have to re-print the stickers for le burrito tho’ what with the new team name.
Mike I so wish you would accept that we would never be disappointed in you – ever. A year ago you were in such a different place and now look at you! Sporting a chance for the Olympics!!! Proud… very proud! All fingers and toes are staying crossed and many more good lucks will be on there way to you!!!
Mike, those watermelons on huffy blog make your butt look big.
best of luck for the rest of ‘08, whatever it may bring!
wanna go for a ride tmr? i live in boulder now. not sure if ya remember me, i grew up ridin with ya doin the thurs rides and all. email me morojp82@yahoo.com if your available.
-jon
You’ve developed into a fantastic rider and have kept your humility. You are true class man, true class.
Everything works out in the end, if it’s not worked out than it’s not the end. – anonymous
Dude, make it or not, I’m still rooting for you. There is no reason to be embarrassed about, Mike. Do your best and do it clean. That’s all we want.
I have faith man. Its going to be you and Bobby at Beijing. Keep going hard, like you always do.
Andy
No matter what happens you’re still Number 1 in my book. Stay strong and keep kicking ass! GO MEATBALL!
Your rides aren’t suspect… oompa-loompa lookalike nites raving out… that could be another story. I could see where you’d not call your p’s about those pics hitting the internet.
Keep on pushin the pedals. As you push yourself – you push those other punks… and the watermelon power is showing.
Hey Superman ~ It was a pleasure cheering for you at the OT’s! You have everything to be proud of!! Please send me an email and I’ll give you our mailing address as you requested.
All 3 kids have their spokes crossed for you to go to Beijing!!
Keep on working man! We are all behind you! I hope it all pans out for you!!Good luck Mike!
BEST of good fortune, I hope will be your draw. NOW, show em all MEATBALL means business.
Lots of people are rooting for you. Me too. And here’s hope that if you are selected, that both Bobby’s and your legs will resemble the legs of the Road Runner Bird Cartoon. Beep Beep! MOUSEPOWER RULES (the world!)
Mike I am SOOOOOO Happy for you!!!!!
Here’s a link to the VeloNews article.
CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!!!!!
I just read about your nomination!!!
YESSSSS!
Congrats on your ride in Beijing! Give it a good shot and have fun with your chance.
So proud of your “comeback” (some think your rest did you more good than harm) from injury…. we think there is still more “comeback” to go….
can’t wait for August.
Congrats Mike!!! I just read the news on Velonews!! Way to go and good luck!!!
Congratulations! Just read Velo News. I am proud to be an American cyclist today, thanks in no small part to your efforts.
Spin On
Mike; Congratulations on your selection to the Olympic team. When Jim Young called me and told me that you were racing with Bobby I was really excited and happy for both of you.You cannot imagine how excited and proud all of us Penn Staters are. Give ‘em Tiger. You will do great. Take care. Joe F.
Great Job Mike!!!!! We knew it had to be you!!! Jennie Reed told us yesterday!!
We are super proud of you!!
Now hurry up and update your blog! xo xo xo
Congratulations Mike!
Peters Township will be cheering for you.
Remember “Science Rules!”
Your old science teacher, Mr. Wagner.
Congratulations Mike! You really are a refreshing and inspiring guy. When I watch the Olympics with my 5 year old, I’ll say to sir: “see that guy right there, he’s doing it right.”
-Chris
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! 10 years of watching, waiting, & hoping for all of us who love you and are so proud of you. We are so happy for you. You did it. You really did it.
I read this morning that you got it! Congratulations!
Congrats F’man. You made it dude. Marks and I are still out on the A.T. but we will definitely have to take a few days off to watch you race. Good luck! I don’t have a phone anymore, but you can give me a shout at dwilliams224@gmail.com if you get a chance. Later.
hi mike! congratulations! i heard the great news! i will watching and cheering you on! best of luck!!
Time will tell, it has told now update to inform your fans how your prep is going. Best of luck, I’ll be cheering you on from the little hills in Missouri,
What else can a proud Dad say that all of your friends haven’t already said, except MOUSEPOWER RULES!!! GO MIKE
Hey Mike -
I read this the other night and thought I’d put it out here for others to take a read.
Racing warm-ups and then dinner with the President? Cool! I hope you share your experiences!
WOW! How about that old-new team mate Frishy!! Wouldn’t Trueheart just have a great expression today!
Mike, what a shame of you, brain washed moron to wear a mask inside an international airport. Are you really that stupid to be so easily brain washed? Your only have a muscle like a monkey, but IQ? zero points!
Chin Kim
Edison, NJ