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July 21, 2006
Tour de Wow
Anyone out there watching the Tour de France coverage? Did you see yesterday's stage? Was that not the most amazing thing ever?I've heard a few people say that they weren't too into following the Tour this year since most of the big names were out. Personally, that made it all the more interesting to me - this is only the second year I've really paid attention to it, and with no big names, it could be anybody's race. It would be an entirely different beast from last year.
If you haven't seen yesterday's stage yet, watch it. Take the 4 hours to watch it on your TiVo. Find highlights online. See if your neighbor taped it. Heck, if you ask nicely, I'll even send you a tape of it. To avoid spoilers for those of you that haven't watched it yet but plan to (do it now! What are you waiting for!), I'll put my full thoughts in the extended entry.
Now go! Watch it! And the rest of the race, too, while you're at it. It's just starting to get good.
I felt for the guy. We all know what it feels like to hit the wall like that in a training run. We all know what it feels like to do it in a race. But to do it in the biggest race of your life, in front of a worldwide audience? Duuuuude. I can't even imagine how he must have felt.
Wednesday morning, I saw a note from someone telling me to be sure and watch today's stage, because something amazing was underway. For that reason, I fired up the TiVo once I was home and ready to settle in - even though it was already 9 p.m. I was going to be up way, way past my bedtime. It was totally worth it.
By the time OLN jumped in with their live coverage, Landis had already gotten ahead of the main group, and was slowly making his way to the front of the race. I watched. I was riveted. I sat there for 4 hours willing him to hang on to that lead, to not lose it, to not crash like he'd done the day before. I crossed my fingers and held my breath and begged the cycling gods to give him one good day.
It was absolutely amazing. By the end of the day, he was back up in the top 3, and only 30 seconds out of the lead. 30 seconds. He could still totally win this thing.
To me, that's a huge part of what being an athlete is all about. Digging in and pulling out the performance of your life, even if everyone thinks you're toast. Maybe it's coming back from behind to win a big race, or maybe it's just dragging your aching self through the last 10K of a marathon when all you want to do is lie down on the side of the road. It's all the same. It's all inspiring, and it's all why we keep chugging on through the bad days - because when those amazing days happen, there's nothing in the world like it.
Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, do it. That offer to send tapes out is 100% valid - just leave a comment and we'll work something out.
I can't wait to see how this race shakes out - it's still wide open, and anything could happen.
Posted by Dawn at July 21, 2006 10:30 AM
Comments
Go Landis!! He's from California too :)
Posted by: Jessica at July 21, 2006 12:13 PM
I didn't watch it, but I followed it on not one, but two Tour Trackers (ESPN and BBC). And I spent the last half of the race IMing my best friend about it.
Tomorrow's time trail should really be something. And if you haven't read it, check out last month's Outside Magazine with Landis on the cover. Really good interview.
Posted by: Jay T at July 21, 2006 12:47 PM
It was awesome, I watched the full four hour recap last night. The first hour I was thinking nope... no way can he keep this up all the way, then it was OMG he is going to do it.
Posted by: ali at July 21, 2006 12:54 PM
yeah...one of the greatest stages i've ever watched. i don't think i cheered that hard even when lance was passing ulrich in last year's time trial or on the tt on alpe d'huez against basso. that was a day for the history books.
Posted by: jeff at July 21, 2006 01:09 PM