Today will go down in my books as one of my worst performances ever on a bike. Granted I have an excuse with the 9hr jet lag, but I must say I was "pro novice" out on the track today.

So here is the scoop. This is the first time I have really struggled so bad with the lag. Last night I was wide awake at 1am and decided to take an ambian to help me fall asleep. I have only ever taken an ambian once in my life 3 yrs ago and didn't have good results. Last night turned out to be the same. Instead of not being able to sleep I laid there half asleep in some sort of trance until my alarm went off at 8am (11pm back home) I woke up with my head all foggy and my body lethargic and had to try and get myself ready to ride.

We went to a cool track in Tarascon, built by hand by "spike" the guy that picked me up from the airport who happens to be a HUGE fan of the US. He built the only "rhythm" section I have seen here, American style too. Every other jump on the track was traditional Euro style peaky lips complete with gravel.

Today I was banned to flats only and manualing skills ONLY. No jumping allowed. Bummer. Its what I need though, and why I came--not to work my strengths, but my weaknesses. Needless to say I was all over the place. The 9hr jet lag combined with the ambian hangover had me feeling like it was my first time on the bike. 3 1/2 hours on the track this morning and 2 1/2 hours this afternoon didn't bring me many accomplishments except a few pull manuals on a 2ft double and only a handful of some solid double manuals on a camelback.

Just to show you guys how out of it I have been the last 24 hrs, here is a list of outrageous things I have done.

You know you have jet-lag if:

1- You only tighten 1 bolt on your front wheel

2- Your coach tells you to change your rear cog and you take it off only to put the exact same one back on and dont figure it out until HE rides your bike.

3- Your coach has to tell you 3 TIMES to strap your helmet tight on the track

4- You put BRAND NEW flats on but dont check the pins and they all fall out. And AGAIN you dont realize it until coach rides the bike

5- You FORGET to bring water to a workout??

6- After forgetting to bring water you borrow some from the Germans that has gas (carbonation) and you proceed to mix it with cytomax, close the lid, and shake..... and when you pop the top you get squirted in the face.

7- Your coach has to tell you to STOP riding the track for a bit because you are a danger to yourself

8- After Coach banishes you to the parking lot to work manuals you proceed to manual in circles and cannot stay in a straight line

9-You have NO appetite during the day and are starving at night

10- Instead of answering "Bonjour" or a "Hello" greeting from a French person you answer with a Spanish "Si" or "yes"

Lets hope tomorrow goes better....