I started and finished my first race yesterday! (My goal was to just finish the locally held cyclocross race).
I was the only participant in the Woman's B group, so I guess I "technically" won...but I feel like a winner in other ways:

1. I was the only girl with enough guts to come out and race in the B division!

2. I have been battling asthma as long as I can remember, which had seriously hindered any strenuous exercise (and at times, any exercise at all)...over the past few years I have been able to use medications that have helped in getting my asthma under control, and so I have been able to exercise regularly and more intensely that I ever imagined...

3. Last summer I started cycling and I haven't looked back...cycling has been great for me and hasn't seemed to aggravate my asthma (perhaps because the forward leaning position causes my diaphragm to stay relaxed and my lungs to inflate fully)...

4. I can now ride a 30 mile round trip commute to work, which ends with a climb only Satan could have designed...but I do it and I love it and I'm not wasted when I'm finished!

5. My boyfriend used to race MTB professionally and so I can share this amazing sport with the man I love. He keeps challenging me and is eternally supportive and cheerful.

6. Cycling has been the biggest self-esteem booster I have ever experienced and I'm more fit than I ever thought I could be…

7. And I love my shapely musclely thighs!