Mid-season break comes to an end

One week 'til the second half of the season. Four races at Chickasaw in January, then four races in Knoxville in February. It's going to be a long slog to the end. I've been doing an unholy amount of lunges and other mind-numbing exercises, spent many hours on the trainer watching Arrested Development/hockey/MNF, and worked on my remounts when I was able. I've worked on starts, cornering, shouldering, suitcasing. I've raced when I was sick, I've drawn blood, and I've given a little, too. I've crashed in practice countless times this season, for the first time ever. I've even used a heart-rate monitor (and pushed 190 bpm). I've cut out fries and limited my beer intake. I ate reasonably at Thanksgiving and Christmas, boy that was difficult. I tried embrocation, even. That stuff works. The only thing I haven't practiced is my victory salute - I'll have to save that for next season.

Results so far:

Mud, Sweat & Gears #1 : 25th
Mud, Sweat & Gears #2 : 20th
USGP Louisville #1 : 58th
USGP Louisville #2 : 64th
Tennessee State Championships : 18th (lapped)
Beat the Freak #3 : 10th
Georgia 'Cross #7 : 42nd

There we have it - only twice have I gotten anywhere near the top half of the field - USGP #1 and Georgia.

So now I've done all I can for the first half of the season. The weather is supposed to be in the 40's next weekend, sunny, and a bit windy - skinsuit weather. I hope the race organizers lay out a slow, twisty, hilly course. If there is mud, I will be pleased. If it is flat and fast, I will be screwed.

On a totally separate note, Santa cobbled together these sweet wellies for me for Christmas:
http://www.piperlime.com/browse/product.do?cid=4016&pid=608871&scid=608871002

Yeah, I know what you're thinking, but Santa knows I have narrow feet. And Santa knows I can rock them.