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The Tanya Lindenmuth diary
Last year was a good year for Tanya Lindenmuth, winning her fourth American National Women's Sprint Championships in a row. And this year should be even better. Meet Tanz, out latest diarist, as she tells all on the oval track.
Pre-Mexico, what can say? I am ready!
March 15
We have been training out in San Diego, California since February 1, and now it is finally time to pack up and go race. We had a qualifier about two or three weeks ago and I set two new track records as well as winning both of my events (you may have seen the results on Cyclingnews). The camp has gone fantastically, and I have a tan! No really, beyond the sun and fun we have gotten some great work done and I think the team we are sending to Mexico for the 2nd World Cup (March 21-23) is more than ready.
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I am ahead of where I was last year at this time, so I am looking forward to taking on Nancy Contreras on her home turf. My goal is to come away with a win in the 500m and set the American record as well. I am also racing the sprints and maybe Team Sprint-no Keirin for me. I was ecstatic to have the Team Sprint added to the women's side even if only as a "tester" event this year and maybe we will pull ourselves together and have a go in Mexico. USA Cycling has listed the events that are of primary focus coming into Olympic year and neither the Keirin nor the Women's Team Sprint are in that group because they aren't in the Olympic Games, so it looks like I have chosen the correct two events.
By USAC standards, if I medal at a World Cup, that automatically qualifies me for the next one without having to ride the selection race in the states, so I want to medal and have that be the way that I get to South Africa since the selection race is the week directly after Mexico; a little much if you ask me. I have my sights set on Sydney also - I will always love that track. I will grab any opportunity to go back! Today, I feel like the race is so close that I can taste it; one of those days when you have to hold yourself back or you will blow all of the hard work you have done. I'm always anxious as to which girls will be racing... I hope everyone is there because that is the best way to start the season, a true test of my abilities and what work lies ahead for me. And I was thinking I would like to see us win the Team Overall again, we have the capability.
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This diary was originally going to be all about the camp and getting ready to race, but I have some other thoughts that are interrupting me as I sit down to write, so here they are:
A quick note to my girls Lyndelle Higginson and Marion Clignet; what took you so long? Glad to hear you want to come out and play with the big girls again. You have been missed!
Helmets. I know that as a track rider, we never race without them and so I find myself torn. I support the fact that it should be mandatory to wear one as it has saved my head more than I care to state, but I think that most riders make the right choice when it looks dangerous or sketchy. And maybe they will think twice about it the next time they decide to flag it.
My love goes out to Andrei's family, friends, teammates and fans. I can make no sense of such things. It is yet another reminder to live life to its fullest and embrace all of those around us. It has brought back some painful memories of the Sydney Games for me, reading the article with the names of pros that have died while racing was almost unbearable! Nicole's name should not have made that list, none of them should. I am at a loss for what to say. All I know for sure is that things seem to happen for a reason; even when we are not sure what that reason is...
Be safe in your travels.
Tanz