A little time off between seasons...

Hi all,
Since mountain biking came to a close for me at the Fat Tire (see my previous post...second overall!), I've been taking things a little easier. The end of the season found me dangerously close to burnout. It's strange to think that the Fat Tire, which once heralded the start of racing for me as Collegiate season began, is now the end.
It was a tough season, without many high points. I did respectably in Super-D, but no wins. Cross country....well, getting on the podium at Nationals was a big victory for me. The loooonnnng climbs of Colorado racing don't favor me one bit. I feel as though something is not quite right with my health, but I haven't been able to figure out the cause yet. Chasing phantoms, I guess.
With the weight of a long racing season weighing on my mind and body, I've taken a well deserved rest. Still riding, but with no particular direction. Commuting to work, running errands, mountain biking with friends on fun trails...conspicuously lacking from that list are intervals, heart rate monitors, or time limits. I'm also letting my mind recover. Balancing a full-on engineering career and racing at a high level leaves me with very little time for myself. So my Mom has come to visit, and I have taken the time I usually devoted to riding and thinking about bikes, and I've spent it exploring Colorado Springs with her.
Cyclocross season is approaching, but I have one more week of freewheelin before I buckle down again. Until then, I apologize for my lack of posts. See you all in 'cross season!
-Lianna