Buddy System

Recently, I joined a running group.  It happened by pure accident.  My son found a car magnet at the carwash where he works and gave it to me as a joke.  It said “moms RUN this town”….that was the joke.  Apparently, as it was explained to me by my son, moms can’t have the attitude that they can run anything, especially a town.  That was the inspiration….the inspiration I needed to look into this further.   Turns out it is a group of women that just like to run together.  It is a free running club and there are chapters all over the country.  The one in my town has nearly 300 members and we communicate mostly on Facebook.  It’s awesome!  So many endorphin junkies with at least one common interest….running.

Many people think that running is a lonely sport.  Au contraire!  It is the biggest team sport I have ever encountered.   I also belong to another local running club.  It is quite a big one, a few thousand members.  It is co-ed and is responsible for organizing many of the races in our area.  We recognize each other around town and events by the club stickers on our vehicles or club gear on our bodies.  We do the “whatsup” head nod to each other.  More endorphin junkies.

Whatever your passion….whether it is running, bicycling, pumping iron, shooting hoops, etc….it is important to have a buddy system.   For one thing, it creates a safer environment.  Exercising as a pack, especially when running or bicycling, helps avoid accidents or mishaps from inconsiderate or unaware drivers, or just bad people.  For another, we motivate each other to push ourselves beyond our perceived limits.  I depend on my family and friends to pat me on the back, embarrass me, piss me off, or whatever it takes to make me go the distance.  When it is over I feel proud and accomplished, and I want to share that motivation with others.

A buddy system does not always have to include humans.  It can be your dog.  I take mine on all my runs when I do not have a human.  Oscar loves it!  Sometimes I inspire him, and other times he inspires me….especially on the homestretch!

My running buddy, Oscar

Keep moving people!  No matter what your pace, you are still lapping everybody on the couch.  Peace out until next time!

Up and Running

It’s been over a year since I’ve written anything on my blog. A lot has happened since then. I guess the biggest is the decision we made to not race motocross any longer. Whew, that was a tough one to make too. As much as we loved it, and as well as Desmond was doing, we knew it was time to change our focus.  So, we packed up and moved to the big city – leaving the dust clouds and racing fuel vapors behind. Desmond started his senior year at Florida High and Wilder started his freshman year at University of West Florida. Me….well, I started racing. Foot racing! Our last motocross race was June 2013 and my first foot race was August 2013.

Tina’s First Race

Having managed my sons’ motorcross team for 6 years, it was hard for me to stop scheduling, organizing, establishing goals and competing. Running filled that void. I am not completely sure what convinced me to start running, but I think it was pent up stress and lack of money. One day I decided to go for a run. A lot of huffing and puffing later the endorphins kicked in, and I loved the feeling. So I did it again and again….each time loving the feeling of joyous exhaustion.

Team Mud Slugs – Avago Mud Run 2013

I was never a runner, by any stretch of the imagination, but I had always tried to be fit – walking, riding bicycles, and hitting the gym. All that fell by the wayside at some point, and when I started running in August, I was out of shape and overweight. But the more miles I racked up, the more weight I lost. Things stopped jiggling, my heart stopped racing, and the need to vomit subsided (a little). Most importantly, I didn’t cringe when I looked at my body in the mirror. This running stuff is cool!

Tallahassee Turkey Trot 2013

As long as my knees hold out, I’m going to keep running. It helps keep me calm and happy, gives me purpose and an edge over the zombies should the apocalypse come.

God Bless all my friends and family….peace out til next time!

“C” is for Closure

I just spent a week on the outskirts of West Gainesville, Florida, attending the Winter Olympics of Motocross.  Also known as Mini O’s, it is a big national race held every year during the week of Thanksgiving.  This year marked 41 years.  I don’t remember how many times we have attended this event….three maybe….but this was the first time in 2 years we have competed.  Injuries or lack of money have prevented us from attending the last couple years.  It is an expensive event, probably the most expensive motocross event in the amateur scene.  The reason is because it is really two events – the first 3 days are a supercross competition and the last 3 days are a motocross competition.  What’s the difference?  Supercross is a shorter, more condensed track – the distance between the jumps is compressed and the height of them increases slightly.  Imagine when two continents collide and a craggy mountain range is formed….similar concept.  Supercross is a major part of this sport, especially in the pro ranks, as it can be held indoors or in a stadium and spectators can easily watch.  When people come, they bring lots of money.  It’s all about the money.

2012 Mini O’s aerial

Okay, let’s cut to the important stuff.  How did Desmond do?  He did freakin’ great!  In supercross, he finished 5^th in both his classes and holeshotted 3 times.  A holeshot happens at the start, when all the riders leave the gate at the same time going like bats outta hell.  The first rider to make it to the first turn is said to have the holeshot.  Desmond was the holeshot king in supercross!  He is now considered the top 5 in the nation in his classes:  450 C Stock and 450 C Modified.  In motocross, things didn’t go as planned, but he still did very well.  He ended up 11^th overall in 450 C Stock.  There were 81 riders in his motocross class, so being in the top 11 in the nation is impressive.

Starting gate at Gatorback

Most of the riders in his classes at Mini O’s were not strangers.  He raced a good many of them at Loretta’s.  They came from every corner of the country to get a piece of the action at the famous Gatorback track.  This will be the last time he races them in the C class though, a.k.a. the novice class.  On January 1, he will move up to the B class, the intermediate class.  Not sure how long he will race B class….probably a couple years.  There is no prescribed time to race the B class, but it will be important that he races it until he’s in the top 5 because the next step is the A class, the pro class.

Gatorback sign

I wish I had some pictures and videos of Desmond to share, but since the event just ended last evening, not too many of either are ready and available from the professional folks that were out on the track.  I used to take pictures, but don’t have time anymore.  I am the pit crew and help Desmond at the gate, and just can’t manage both.  As pictures and videos come available, I will post them.

It was a great Thanksgiving week and we are grateful we can do what we love!  We are also very appreciative of all the encouragement and support we get from our family and friends…..whether it be trackside or remotely.  We love you all very much!!!

Gold Rush

Yesterday marked the final race in a series called the Florida Gold Cup.  As the name suggests, a gold cup was the prize awarded to the first place winner of each class.  This wasn’t some cheesy plastic gold cup glued to a particle board base.  It was a heavy duty metal cup, approximately 14 inches high with two beautifully ornate handles protruding from each side, thickly painted with gleaming gold paint, and solidly bolted to a sturdy solid wood base.  A “FIRST PLACE” brass plate added the final touch to this brilliant symbol of success.  Desmond was determined to get one.

He raced harder and faster than I’d ever seen him race.  He beat some of the fastest guys in his classes and crossed the finish line in first place a few times.  People figured out who he was right away and started to keep an eye on him, wanting to see how he ended up each race.  It got down to the final race yesterday and the points spread was not much of a spread at all.  The gleam from that gold trophy was so close it was shining on Desmond’s face.  Just one more race….only four laps around the famous old national track called Gatorback.

By the end of the forth lap, I had paced all the grass off my little area of the hill where I watched him battle it out with three other guys.  The previous race he had taken a pretty gnarly crash, so wasn’t riding as aggressively this last race as he had been and as a result ended up in 3^rd place.  He needed to finish at least 2^nd to win the gold cup.  The gleam quickly faded from Desmond and shone on another rider….the rider that had beat him by one point.

It’s hard to see your kid brought to his knees in disappointment.  Of course, his disappointment was only shown to me in the privacy of his camper.  No tears, just defeat.  As hard as I tried to remind him that 2^nd place is a noble place and he should be very proud – I was – he did not want to hear it.  We quietly packed up and headed home.

In time the sting will subside, but the embers will remain….the embers needed to keep him focused on trying to win the next championship.  There are many more trophies out there waiting to be won.  He’ll win some and add them to his healthy collection.  But the rush for the gold cup will have to wait another year.

Learning Curve

Our first National Championship race at Loretta’s has come to an end….and so has another season.  Loretta’s is the pinnacle of the year, and when that race wraps up so does the season.  Now we get another fresh start.

Banner made by Roost MX, Desmond’s graphics sponsor

How was Loretta’s?  It some ways it was not what I expected and in others it was more.  I expected to be more nervous than any other race we have ever done…..but I was not.  I was the LEAST nervous of any other race.  Maybe it was because we were there to get some big business done, so I focused on that rather than all the “what ifs”.  Maybe it was because I was the only motocross mom going up to the gate with their rider and “girl-power” overshadowed my nerves.  Most likely it was because I knew Desmond was racing on a wing and a prayer – his guardian angel’s wing and a prayer (or two!) to God.

Des going out for his second moto

Though Desmond left all he had on the track in Tennessee, it was not enough to earn him a trophy.  Nerves were one of his biggest obstacles, and he worked through them with each race.  He had three races in total for his class.  In the first one, he fell twice in the 10 commandments (big whoop section).  The second race was much better, and by his last race he had the lap times to be a winner.  It was just unfortunate that he was involved in a pile up at the start and had to work up from nearly dead last to 21^st.  His overall was 26^th place out of 42 racers.  Sure, he was disappointed, but not overly.  He felt he did his best and knows he has some things to work on.  All in all, it was a successful trip.  My son came home healthy and we have some wonderful memories.  He gained valuable experience that will only help him in the future.

Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – Des at the gate waiting for his last moto to start

They say a race can be won or lost in a turn.  Maybe, but sometimes it can be won or lost in a curve….a learning curve.

We would like to thank our family and friends who have supported us during this journey – we couldn’t pull this off without your help.  We would also like to thank all of Desmond’s sponsors – you guys rock!  All glory goes to God, who continues to bless us beyond our expectations. 

All Roads Lead to Loretta’s

In two days, we will be cruising along America’s highways to the heart of Tennessee.  Hurricane Mills is the ultimate destination, and in this small Tennessean town you can find Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.  You will also find the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship.  Ms. Loretta has been kind enough to offer her ranch to the AMA for this prestigious event for the last 30 years.  I am not sure why she has been so generous, but I am hoping she will tell us when she talks to us there.  I do know that Loretta’s track is not open to ride except for the National Championship, which ensures a fair race since no one has a chance to race it before the rest of the competition arrives.

Getting to “Loretta’s” (no one calls it by its official name) is an arduous road.  There are many qualifying events over several months across the country.  Nearly 20,000 racers attempt to qualify in 36 classes for the 1,446 available positions at the National.  Being in the best condition of your life and honing all your skills are not always enough to get you there.  Many obstacles stand in the way – mechanical issues, injuries, and money are just a few of them.  Sometimes you can do everything right and lady luck shows up holding your golden ticket to Loretta’s, then out of nowhere cancer swoops in and snatches it out of your hands.  That just happened to one of the young men Desmond trains with at MTF.

 

Over the last year and a half alone, we have put around 20,000 miles on the truck and traveled nearly half the country attending motocross races.  In a couple days, we will again start adding to that total.   We have experienced such memorable times, met many incredible people, and seen truly amazing things.  It has been quite a journey so far.  One thing I’ve learned is, in the world of amateur motocross, whether you travel North, South, East or West….all roads lead to Loretta’s.   

 

Broken Spokes

The wheel on my son’s dirt bike has two broken spokes.  They’re not broken in the sense that they are reduced to fragments, but instead the threads are worn and they will no longer tighten to the wheel.  Replacing the spokes is somewhat time and labor intensive.  No one I know likes to change the spokes, but if you don’t do it you can’t ride on the wheel – it will collapse at the point of weakness.  You see, the spokes are what strengthens the wheel.  Without the spokes, the wheel is useless.

spokes on a wheel

This recent spoke dilemma encouraged my mind to wonder.  I began to imagine my life as a dirt bike wheel, and the spokes were people.  This past year, I’ve had a few broken spokes on my wheel of life.  My life’s spokes, too, wore at the threads and no longer strengthened the wheel.  Unlike the dirt bike wheel, though, life’s spokes do not always need to be replaced with the exact part.  In my case, some of the people spokes were replaced with confidence, self-sufficiency, and respect – and, actually, these turned out to be stronger than the original part.  That doesn’t work in all instances, and it is sometimes required to replace the spoke with a similar part.

poppin' wheelies

Yes, we got a little wheel whobble in 2011, but we recovered and we still have the throttle pulled back.  Now, here it is, the first day of a new year.  I would like to wish a happy 2012 to my friends and family.  May God continue to bless all of us with what only He knows is right for us.  I wish for you a peaceful heart, a healthy body, and a prosperous life.

 

And still my mind wonders……to Tina Turner singing “Proud Mary” in that distinctive and powerful voice.  “Big wheel keep on turning”, says Tina.  That’s exactly how we roll here in the Winners Circle.

The End of a Great Season

The 2010-2011 amateur motocross season is one day from coming to an end.  All the weary, battle scarred riders are looking forward to taking a month or so off to recover and rejuvenate.  For the R2D team, this year has seen its share of victories and defeats.  Though going into the year strong, both Desmond and Wilder Ruffin suffered major set backs due to severe injuries in November – Wilder with a back injury and Desmond with a broken tib, fib and ankle.  Recovery went very well and training started up again in February. 

Des with 2nd and 5th place trophies from LL area qualifiers

Both Desmond and Wilder competed for the first time in Loretta’s qualifers, trying to gain entry into the most prestigous amateur motocross championship race in the nation put on by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and held at Loretta Lynn’s ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.  Desmond placed 2nd and 5th respectively in the 250cc novice stock and modified classes at the area qualifiers held at Dutch Sports Park in Michigan, which earned him a chance to race the regional qualifer at Redbud national track in Michigan.  Wilder also raced at Redbud as an alternate.  No luck for either at Redbud, so Desmond tried again racing the regional at High Point national track in Pennsylvania as an alternate.  The weather was not a friend at High Point and the seemingly endless rain created several feet of thick mud on this famous track built atop a mountain.  Desmond fought hard and was within a couple positions of making it to the national event, but it just wasn’t the year to race Loretta’s. 

Paul wins Schoolboy 2 moto 1

For R2D rider Paul Coates of Bishop Auckland, England, it was definitely the year to race Loretta’s.  Paul is no stranger at the event that takes place the first week of August, but this year was special.  Paul won moto 1 in the Schoolboy 2 class, making it his first moto win at a U.S. National.

 

 

The next stop on the national circuit was the NMA (National Motorsport Association) Grand National Amateur Motocross Championship race in Ponca City, Oklahoma. 

R2D storefront at Ponca

This was our 4th year attending the event which takes place the last week of July, but it was the first year for R2D Motocross.  R2D set up a humble storefront on vendors’ row and proudly introduced our new product.  Though sales were not as robust as we had hoped, interest was high and that has fueled us to keep forging ahead.  Desmond was the only R2D rider to compete in this event, as Paul was preparing for Loretta’s and Wilder stayed behind to finish up some homeschool assignments.  Desmond raced the 250cc novice stock and modified classes, as well as Schoolboy 2.  Typical of his luck this year, it was more of the “close but no cigar” for Desmond.  A few unfortunate mistakes planted him in the dirt and costed him a podium spot in the stock class and top 10 finishes in the mod and schoolboy classes.

Des making his way to the finish line at Ponca

 

Now we rest and lick our wounds.  We spend time with our family and friends.  We assess the past and contemplate the future.  And we always thank God for our blessings and opportunities.

And so, the journey begins…

Today marks two weeks in the Winners Circle.

　

Slide outs are a must…..they add about five feet to the living space, which is huge when space is a premium.

　

It is 36 feet long, and 12 of it is garage.

　

　

You need some serious engine power to pull a trailer this big, like a Dodge 3500 dually with a straight 6 Cummins turbo diesel specially modded with a straight pipe.…for all you gear heads.

Shamelessly showing off my new stickers.

　

One word of advice for all you newbie campers:  Make sure the sewer drainage hose is securely attached to the trailer’s sewer pipe.  Otherwise, you will be wearing “it” if standing within close range when it disengages.  No, I did not get a picture of that….I am leaving it to your imagination.

Travel tip #1: Expedia’s Unpublished Rate Hotels are the Way to Go

As I write this, my laptop is sitting on a big, beautiful, black granite desk neatly situated in a contemporary style room on the 20^th floor of the Hilton Atlanta in the middle of Downtown. You would expect to pay at least $120 for a room like this….but I did not. I paid $65 (plus taxes) using Expedia’s Unpublished Rate Hotels.

Hilton Atlanta desk

I have been using Expedia for years and have always been pleased with the service and deals, but this is beyond my expectations. The two travelers accompanying me on this trip are, well, tripping at the quality of the hotel. We pulled in and were immediately attended to by the valet parking crew and bell hops. The check-in desk host was attentive and friendly, and the other staff we have encountered are smiling. The Hilton is living up to its four stars.

Atlanta from the 20th floor of the Hilton Atlanta

To find a deal like this you should know a little about the area where you are going. Some people are fine with winging it, but not me. In my case, we were planning to attend a Supercross event at the Georgia Dome in Downtown Atlanta and I wanted a hotel in that area. A few days prior to our departure, I started my Expedia.com search looking for Downtown hotels that had availability, keeping in mind the star ratings of each. Then, I clicked on the unpublished rate hotels button that is located on the same page.  The unpublished rate hotels appeared and only the rates (price per night), lists of amenities and star ratings of available hotels participating in the program were shown. Allow me to expand on that comment. A regular search will give you what you would expect – hotel names, addresses, pictures, lists of amenities, rates and star ratings. The unpublished rate hotels search does not give you all that information; only the rates, lists of amenities and star ratings. Why not? Well, the hotels that participate in this program do not want to “advertise” that they are selling rooms at such a discounted price. Otherwise, no one would ever pay the higher price. Sure, there is a little mystery and risk in booking a hotel using this system, but in my experience it is worth it. For example, in my unpublished rate hotels search four hotels appeared – two with two stars and two with four stars, and all were in the same price zone. Obviously, I was going with one of the four star hotels and from my original search I had a pretty good idea which ones they were…it was just a matter of deciding between the two. When I decided and clicked the reserve button, the system walked me through the steps just as if I were booking a regular reservation. It is not until the credit card information is processed that the name of the hotel is revealed.

I will definitely use the unpublished rate hotels route again. Why stay in the Motel 6 when you can stay at the Hilton for the same price? I mean, the Hilton leaves the light on too.