BABOCO Training Camp

The BABOCO Team training camp article is finally online at CYCLOCROSS Magazine. Click HERE to read the article and click HERE to subscribe to the magazine so you dont miss anything like Nikki Harris' Feature Story all about her chameleon lifestyle in the current issue. There is also an option to subscribe to the ONLINE magazine.

Mountain Bike Race #2

by Danny Zelck

Well, result-wise it was not ideal. Even so, i had a great time and an even better workout. On the day before the race, Belgian MTB Marathon champ Kim Saenen kindly took me around the course to show me around. And on the day, Nancy Bober and her husband Andy saved a parking spot for us!

There were lots of other folks that i knew at the race which always makes it more fun. And thanks to all those who kindly cheered for me and took photos. Dat maakt mij heel blij!!

Next week is my first road race of the season. I go to Boutersem, BE Sunday, June 12. The elite men also race there so I expect the crowds to be thicker than normal. It is in an undulating section of Belgium so that should be fun.

The following week on June 18 i am back on the mountain bike for yet another "force-building" workout. It is held in Boom, BE - part of the Belgacom GP series.

On a completely different topic, it finally really rained today. The farmers (and our mini garden in the back) really needed it after a two-month drought. But now that the rain is gone, it is time to get on the bike! Till next post...

Offseason Tales

courtesy of Peter Meere

Sorry it's taken me a while to update my blog. I've been busy with training, going to the gym, random writing projects, training camp, and other time-heavy activities.

(The published story BABOCO Team training camp should be published soon on CYCLOCROSS Magazine . I will post the link as soon as it is published just in case you want to read a funny story on my adventures with an all boys team. )

But of all the events keeping me busy, it feels like the Flemish classes are the most exhausting! It's three times a week for 3.5 hours each, plus the extra hour to get there and back. And once i am back after 10pm, it's hard to go directly to sleep so i find myself up way too late doing nothing but mindlessly watching tv since i am too tired to do anything real at that time of night. bugger. 

The classes are done at the end of June so i cant really complain.  But after taking this one class, i cannot see how people would want to go back to school later in life. Taking tests suck. I always want to be perfect so it is way too much pressure. I have had two tests so far. the first was perfect, but the second had a mistake so naturally i was ready to quit the class. HAHA. (I should be happy considering it's an advanced class, but that doesnt offer any consolation.) It's amazing that i can bike race with my feelings towards being judged. Anyway...

Aside from the classes, i have been training hard while simultaneously recovering from that nagging pelvis/knee injury. Progress is slow but at least I see improvement.

As for my offseason racing, i decided to change it up this season with a few mtb cross country races. I just did my first race last weekend (albeit a bit too early for my fitness level). It was a real shock. I dont know how it happened but i forgot how to ride a mountain bike. Considering i used to do National and World Cup events in this discipline, I am embarassed that i am now a complete neophyte of sorts. 

No matter the outcome of the first race, the workout was great! I can easily see how it can be good cross training for cyclocross season.  With that said, i will try it again this Thursday. The only drawback is that the next race will be in front of a few thousand people instead of only a few hundred in attendance last weekend. Ugh. Hopefully the crowds will be kind...


Curious what other cross racers living here in Belgium are up to in the offseason? Check out my story on Tour of Belgium where i ran into a few of them such as Niels Albert, Zdenek Stybar, Tom Meeusen, Vincent Bastaens, and Radomir Simunek. CLICK HERE for the link.

In the news, on TV and finally back on the bike

As of a few days ago, I am finally back on the bike. It is hard to tell my level of fitness (which I expect is not too high at the moment with three weeks off the bike) but I dont care at this time of year.

Regarding the injuries, they are definitely improving.  I started physical therapy in Leuven yesterday at the same place where Tom Boonen goes from what i hear, so they should be good enough for me!

I told them i no longer want to feel like a piece of wet smushed spaghetti on the bike. They both nodded and told me they had just the plan for me - yippee!!

Today, for the first time since that fateful day in Zolder, I feel hopeful - that i can be great again ;-) (ok, well maybe i was never great but "good" is great with me!)

In the news: I came across an article on BikeRadar.com where they included some quotes from me. I love their site so that was a huge honor. Click HERE for the link.

AND as for my tv appearance, when i find out more about it, i will let you know.

Thanks for reading!!

Offseason Blues

OK, well not exactly feeling blue but it is strange to be off the bike for so long.  I don't think it would be as strange if, with the bike, i also abandoned everything that  comes along with it - the routine, habits and lifestyle.

Last night, Jonas called from work during a night shift. His parting words were, "Go to bed on time." Normally the unspoken words that followed were "so you can be fresh in the morning for training."  But without a scheduled training the next day, I responded, "On time for what?"  He tripped over his words and the phone call ended in confusion. 

When i got off the phone with him, I remembered that it was a Saturday night. Shouldn't "Saturday night" have a special meaning during my three weeks off the bike? I read on Facebook all the exciting plans in store for everyone, but i was going to bed on time.

WTF?!?

The Season is FINALLY Over



By Florent Bouchat



Part of me wishes it would go on, the other part cannot be any more relieved that the pain is over. Some - or maybe many - people think it was silly of me to race with hip pain but now that i have been off the bike for a week with continued hip pain, seems to me riding didnt make a lick of difference. So with that said, i am glad i continued since i had an immense amount of fun the last races!



If you want to read all about my last day on the bike this season, check out my story (with plenty of photos) on CYCLOCROSS Magazine.

A BIG THANKS to Baboco, my teammates, family, friends, supporters, Challenge Tires, PROBAR, Mt. Tam Bikes, Specialized, Concap, Coach Elmo and of course JONAS! The support is so immensely appreciated!!!

As of today i am off the bike for a full nine days. I thought i would go crazy without riding a bike but it's actually been easy.  I've kept myself busy with house projects, writing articles, and catching up on emails and other stuff that's been put off a bit too long. I also finally got a new computer to replace the one that was stolen in Girona last year. It's definitely helped to keep me distracted.  The hip pain also makes it a bit easier to stay off the bike :-(



The last two days Jonas and I have been up at 7am to greet the workers who are installing our new water boiler and "burner" to heat the water.  Once they are done, another set of guys come to switch us over from oil to gas.  A gas line was just installed on our street a few months ago, but before that, gas was not an option. 

I dont mind the early rising but I must admit having no heat or hot water for what will be three whole days by the time the project is over is a bit inconvenient.  I tried to take a "bird bath" this morning and found that after one minute my bitties were numb. Brrrr....

Next week they come to insulate the walls, then the solar panels go up by May. We got extra solar panels so we can heat our water on electricity - green electricity that is! It will also save us a bunch of money on gas. Our new fancy water boiler has a gas/electricity switch so you can decide what you want to use to heat the water - cool, huh.

Thursday i have another appointment for my hip - an x-ray and some other eco-something-or-other test to determine where i am in the recovery process. Fingers crossed all is back in order SOON, especially since Team Baboco has team training camp starting April 7th.  It will be in Benidorm, Spain - the equivalent of Boca Raton but with hills for those of you who dont know the town.

Thanks for reading!

Back at it again...

Since that fateful crash on my hip in Zolder World Cup, it's been a long road back to full health.  Even now I still have a dull pain in my hip and my power is probably not fully back.  BUT i will give it a little tester this Saturday at GVA Trofee Lille here in Belgium.  I figured, why not?  I learned that i wont be doing any further damage on my body and I'll get to play with others on the bike again. I really love racing! I love it more when i am doing well, but it's unfortunately still fun on days it doesnt go too well. 

Before the storm...by Peter Schepens

One such day was two weeks ago when i tried to race a bit too soon for my own good in Hoogerheide World Cup, the last round of the series.  Half-ass training on the road is one thing (all i was capable of at the time), but racing against the world's top riders on a heavy course with power climbs and ankle-deep mud is a whole different type of riding...one i was completely unprepared for.  After a lap, i pulled out of the race.  But that one lap i really cherished. I had an absolute blast.  A BIG part of the joy was easily thanks to the VERY LOUD cheers i got from a few groups of folks out there!!!! I cannot thank them enough for making my one lap a real pleasure.  THANKS GUYS for your cheers!!!! 

The very next day after this saturday's race, I have a speaking engagement at ECOPOP, Belgium's ecological fair.  I'm talking on the benefits of a vegan diet for the environment as well as for your health.  My friend Jürgen started a facebook page yesterday on my talk. Very kind of him!! He runs Organic Athlete's Belgium branch.

Directly afterwards, Jonas and I head over to Aalter to say hi to the team at the "Eetfeestje" (eating party) of our teammate Pieter de Meyer. He races for BABOCO on the road.

Before the weekend, Jonas and I have a very special day on Friday.  In the morning, while i do my training, Jonas will oversee the insulation of our roof.  Our house will be a warmer place!! 

And in the afternoon, a guy comes to give Jonas his prize.  A few weeks ago, Jonas entered one of those random contests where you can win a week in Germany to a case of wine - or something like that.  well, we got a call saying that Jonas gets his prize - and a wine tasting - tomorrow.  Jonas and i have a bet. He thinks it is a legitimate prize and i bet it's a sales pitch.  Anyone want in on the bet???

That's all for now. I gotta get back to working on my speech for ECOPOP and finish editing my feature interview on Nikki Harris for the CYCLOCROSS Magazine. It's gonna be a great read so dont forget to order your subscription to the magazine.  They also have online memberships where you get the magazine online for those of you who live outside the USA.

On the Ground at Zolder World Cup

taken by Chris Claeye

It was "game over" early in the first lap.  Pity because i was actually feeling good about the race despite its treacherous nature as the course was covered with ice and snow.  My slip and fall on the icy pavement damaged my hip, causing me to immediately lose power in my right leg. With only one leg, it was as if i were pedaling only to the right side the whole time. i cannot even count how many walls, barriers, snowpiles, and fences i rode directly into. 

with only optimism on my side, i started the GVA Trofee's Azencross in Antwerpen three days later.  Again, my start was great and was feeling solid as i rode in 15th position until the benefit from all the massages, icings, stretches, and osteopath appointments the last days ran out.  Immediately both legs were without power thanks to an overcompensating lower back.  I quickly slid back in the peloton until i finally called it quits. 

taken by Krist Vanmelle

And again, three days later, with twice the amount of optimism i had in the previous race, Jonas and i headed out to Luxembourg to race the Hotel Threeland in Petange, LUX.  It is more like a mountain bike course - one big uphill, followed by a downhill.  And again, big mistake to attend.  Not even my start was good.  With a heavy uphill as a start, requiring lots of power, i was completely useless.  The downhills were just as bad since the jagged pain in my right him once again made my right leg useless, causing me to continuously turn to the right on straight lines.  i even managed to land in a ditch on one of the laps.  but i did finish - kind of.

the following day, with no optimism left, i sat the next race out.  Pity because it was Fidea's Tervuren right next door to our home.  I did, however, go to spectate.  What i found is that i really do not enjoy spectating a race that i really wanted to contest.  As a very very nice consolation prize, I was awarded with great company that evening.  Mo Bruno Roy, her husband Matt, and Lyne Lamoureux of Podium Insight joined me and Jonas for a nice dinner, drinks and bike race watching. 

My next event is Pont-Chateau World Cup in France scheduled for 2 weeks from now.  time will tell if i am healed enough to go.  If there is any doubt, then i will sit this one out - especially since it is something like an eight hour drive away!

If you want to read the more amusing version of my last week, it is published on CYCLOCROSS Magazine HERE.

Thanks for reading and hope you had a very nice holiday season.
BEST WISHES FOR A MAGICAL 2011 !!!!!

Scheldecross and Kalmthout World Cup report...

is now online!  See CYCLOCROSS's website for my story or CLICK HERE to go directly there.

My next race is Zolder World Cup this Sunday. I wish you could be there because i am having a cookie party after the race for all my supporters/friends, and fellow racers!  on the menu is toffee bars, tahini cookies, sugar cookies - all different shapes and colors, fudge with walnuts and my favorite - mexican chocolate cookies-hot, hot, hot!!!

Have a wonderful holiday season and have a glass of champagne for me please (since i am in the middle of racing season) !!

(photo by Ali Verleyen)

Racing with the Guys

Last weekend was US National Championships, but as i am Belgian-based, i opted to skip the arduous trip around the world to Portland.  Besides with Katie Compton on the start line, we'd all pretty much be racing for 2nd - or rather 3rd since Georgia Gould was also present. 

Instead i spent my weekend competing at a local race against the guys here in Belgium.  It was so incredibly worth it.  Not only did i get an excellent workout in, but i had a very entertaining day of it.

The race was Vlaamse Wieler Federatie's (Flemish Cycling Federation) "World Championships" held by De Morelgem Vrienden as a memorial/fundraiser race for Danny Vettenburg who died from cancer.  When i showed up at the start line, i could tell a few of the guys were confused. I am guessing the rest of them just thought i was a junior boy - as usual.

My start was fairly solid until we hit the dirt where our wheels sunk into the soggy ground.  The whole course in fact consisted of soggy ground so i was in for a real power workout.  Against guys, who naturally have more power, the only thing i could really do is race my own pace and hope it is good enough not to be too embarrassed. by the end of the race, i had passed enough to finish in a surprising 5th place.  Naturally i was elated considering my goal was to not come in last.

A few moments after i finished, i got called to the podium for the awards presentation - an impromtu one for their only woman rider.  I got a "Christmas Plant", a shirt, and 10€ prize money which i spent party on the post-race tombola (raffle where everyone wins.) As i stood up on the podium, i heard a loud roar from the beer tent - my cheering section that screamed for me, bringing a huge smile on my face every lap.

Once my post-race routine of trainer-riding, recovery shake and cleanup was complete, Jonas and i headed back to the race site for a relaxing drink while watching the womens category breeze by - some wearing belgian national jerseys and others with the european championship jersey.  There must be some sort of agreement between the Vlaamse Wieler Federatie and some other organizations where they win these jerseys. I havent figured that one out yet. 

while it could have been fun to be back in USA racing against friends, I made a few that day at my local race.  And the organizers were exceptional - friendly and extremely helpful.  Hopefully i can attend this race again next year.  Anyone want to join me??  If so, here is the link: http://www.vlaamsewielerfederatie.be/totaal.htm

This foto came from the VWF's facebook page.  If i can find more photos from the race, i will surely post them.

My next races against the gals are this weekend - Scheldecross this Saturday and Kalmthout World Cup sunday.
Today was a hard motorpacing workout in preparation for the weekend.  The weather here is still unsavory so i equipped my bike with Challenge Grifo tires to combat the snow and ice and it really helped a lot. I felt very safe, even around the questionable turns.
Another bit of help i got to make my motorpacing a solid effort was from my Blueberry Fruition Bar  - the sports energy bar from PROBAR.  I ate one just before my workout, and a few bites during the effort and i really felt the difference!

Thanks again for reading!

Two Jobs Rolled into One Weekend

by Danny Zelck

Koksijde World Cup earned its fame through its extensive sand sections that take the riders up, down and through the sand dunes on Belgium’s coast. But this year they changed the course so it could exactly match how they plan to run it for next season’s Cyclo-Cross World Championships – which turned into even more sandy sections – a feat I didn’t believe possible until I saw it.



As usual, my husband Jonas and I arrived on Friday, the day before the race, to check out the course and collect race numbers. I did my first lap with [CXM regular contributor] Vicki Thomas and her countrymate. It was a fast track where slick tires were ideal. For my second lap, I traded riding partners for Hanka Kupfernagel. Just before we took off, it started to rain hard. Even before I stepped out into the rain, I knew it was going to be an unpleasant one since the temperature hovered at the freezing point. It seems I wasn’t alone in my thoughts; as we took off to ride the course in the bitterly cold rain, Hanka muttered the words, “This is definitely my last season.” I laughed, and so did she since there was not a thing we could do about the conditions. Within a minute we figured out that slicks were no longer wanted. A few laps of frozen riding later, we were sitting in her mobilehome to warm up.



showing my frustration -

By Danny Zelck



The next day we awoke to dry sunny skies. We parked our van alongside the mini BABOCO fleet and were ready for a great day. My pre-race preparation went well, I was feeling good and ready to take names … until about five seconds before the light turned green when I realized I was in the last row – just like in Plzen World Cup. How was I to move up from there? I’m no Daphny, Sanne, Bart or Niels. There is only so far I can move forward.



by Danny Zelck



Unfortunately, what you focus on is what you create. When they took off, I was slow off the start and never really moved up. I could tell that my fitness was solid since I rocked it every once in a while when I was able to get out of my own head. But for most of the race, I just couldn’t get out of my own way. I must have fudged every single sand and mud section. Considering I rode almost every one of those sections almost perfectly in the pre-ride I knew it was not my technical skills that had failed me.



Lesson learned the hard way – again. I have made this mistake as recently as Plzen, but it’s time I learn new lessons. From this point forward, I have made a promise to myself to give it everything I have for the full race no matter what. Period. Let’s see what comes of it.

speaking at Paris Vegan Day

After some good old American screaming for my favorite guys in the men’s race, we headed home. The weekend was only halfway over. The next morning Jonas and I were waiting on the Thalys train to Paris where I was scheduled to speak about “the benefits of a vegan diet for sports” at Paris Vegan Day. (I am a spokesperson for IDA – In Defense of Animals.) When our train was almost two hours delayed, I immediately realized that my strenuous exercising for the weekend was not yet over. Once the train arrived in Paris we had 20 minutes to sprint three miles. We showed up late, looking like two sweaty rats. Immediately I stripped my clothes, put the hair in a ponytail and stepped on stage to address a waiting audience.





Gentle Gourmet B&B Table by
Jonas Bruffaerts



With the idea that I had to make up time, I talked faster, which produced some confused faces in the crowd since I was speaking in English. But once I brought it down a few notches, it seemed everyone followed me nicely. I even got quite a few nods of agreement and some of surprise from the audience in reaction to what I said, which helped me to know that I was understood. And for those folks who didn’t follow the English, I had some help from a fellow athlete Christophe Berg who translated for me. Once my hour was over, I focused on recovery from the sprint by stuffing my face with all sorts of tasty cakes and brownies courtesy of The Gentle Gourmet – a vegan bed & breakfast.



famous falafel



That night we returned for a concert by three-year vegan rockstar Princess Superstar. I was really excited to see her since I expected her to perform my all-time favorite video, “Bad Babysitter.” It’s so stupid-funny that I must have watched it 20 times. But no such luck. Even so, I was glad I went.



Jonas as tour guide



The next morning we slept until noon, walked around Paris all afternoon, had the famous falafels at L’As du falafel. From the first bite to the last, I was teary-eyed, as it was simply incredible. We finished our sightseeing with a stroll down the Champs-Élysées, only seven months early to watch the Tour de France.



in Notre Dame



Since that weekend it has been snowing here in Belgium. While half of the peloton took off for a couple of weeks of sunny warm training in southern Spain, the rest of us are toughing it out. As for me, most of my training has been done indoors for safety’s sake. But yesterday, I finally cracked from all the trainer rides and bolted outside with running shoes. I quickly found that running in heavy snow is like sand running, but you have no idea where your feet will land. I slipped twice. And today Jonas and I took the ’cross bikes out, equipped with Grifos. Our timing was a little off as a snowstorm hit right in the middle of our two-hour ride – the third hour was done indoors. Now I know what it must feel like to live in Michigan or Canada. Brutal. My next big race isn’t until December 18th, so I have time. No Nationals for me – too expensive and too far.

Superprestige's Asper-Gavere - A Tough Day Out

Last sunday was supposed to be one of the most special racing memories of the whole season for me.  Partly because of the course design - stunningly gorgeous views with some technically demanding bits, some power climbs and speedy mud descents.   It is also one of the most famous races of the season which brings out tens of thousands of spectators; that always makes racing it more exciting!

But it was not meant to be for me as was determined by my crap first lap.  While hovering somewhere around top ten early in the race, my chain popped off on the outside due to a bump with another gal. Once on the bike again, i quickly moved through the field, but got nailed again. This time i was completely taken out by a nervous-nellie who got a bit too fidgety in the mud before taking herself out and knocking me under the course tape.  Once back on, i pedaled 500rpm until i realized that something was amiss, namely my chain which again fell off on the outside.

By the time i was back on track, the whole entire peloton was out of sight. For the first few minutes, my motivation flipped between giving up and digging deep. As i passed riders while hearing the crowds kindly cheering for me, my enthusiasm increased....but only for a bit before finally settling into frustration, knowing that i will never ever reach anywhere near the top ten by the end of the race.  Just before the finishing straight, I heard a stream of cheers for me which gave me one last bit of encouragement i needed to pass one more gal to finish 19th.   

Poor Dan Seaton, journalist for CYCLOCROSS Mag and VeloNews, had the unfortunate opportunity to be the first person i spoke to after crossing the line.  Immediately i dumped on him in my finest NYC slang exactly what i had gone through.  Once done, he pulled out his recorder and asked me to repeat it all but maybe make it more appropriate for family reading.  Oops. (you can read all about the race - and my quotes given to Dan by clicking HERE.)

As i turned the corner to the parking lot and spotted our van, i saw a group of people hovering about. And shortly after, more and more came by - all to say hello to me!  They dont know it but thanks to their visit, i went from feeling totally dejected to feeling like a real racer again.  You'd think after all these years of racing, i wouldnt be so fragile. I suppose that is just how i am wired - a blessing and a curse.

The next race up is Koksijde World Cup this saturday. It is most famously known for its extensive sand sections, where we are normally weaving in, out and over the coastal dunes.  But this year the course will be different. It is their trial run for next year's World Championship event.  And the difference from what i am hearing is that there will be even MORE sand. I dont see how that is possible, but i shall find out on Friday when i pre-ride the course.

Instead of sticking around after our race on Saturday, i have to go home to pack for Paris the next day.  I am speaking at Paris Vegan Day.  My speech is naturally about "A vegan diet for optimal health and performance."  Wanna come?

As always, thanks for reading!
ps photo courtesy of Danny Zelck - you can find him on facebook or flickr .

Superprestige Zonhoven and GVA Koppenberg - back to back BABY!

After a week of the stomach flu that started in Plzen World Cup, ran through Nacht van Woerden (NED), and ended just before the powerhouse weekend of Zonhoven and Koppenbergcross, I had no idea what to expect of the weekend. 

read HERE to find out how it turned out.  It will bring you to CYCLOCROSS Magazine's online site where I am a columnist and writer.  I must warn you that the story you are about to read contains devastation and pitfalls but wraps up with a happy ending...or at least i am happy with it!

Next race is this thursday at Fidea's Niel in Belgium.

Thanks so much for reading!! 

Sand foto by Patricia Cristens
top foto by Dirk Verhelst
bottom foto by ronny de lange

First Win in Baboco Cycling Team Kit

There's something special about winning in clothing that is attached to good people.  I have been lucky enough over the years to have that special feeling quite a few times.  And again i had that feeling yesterday, when  I won my first race for Baboco Cycling Team.  It was a small race but, as they say, a win is a win!

The course was a combination of long gradual uphill pavement, millions of muddy s-turns, a mini mud bump and sand pit, finishing on a fast grass descent. With the high winds, it seemed best to ride in a group but i knew that if i rode in a group i'd have no chance of winning and possibly not even podium thank to my (not so) glorious sprinting skills.  So when the gun announced our departure, I immediately worked hard to get to the front. After an ok start, i found myself in fourth place heading into the first set of S-turns.  I tried to already start making my way to the front but i found out the hard way  - - after having to slam on my brakes - those S's stand for "single file only."

Luckily the extended gravel descent was next up. There i passed the gals until I was in the lead, then slowly worked on building a gap.  At one point, they were looking like they were on top of me but i kept the pressure, extended the gap and it paid off with a win.

It may not have been a big race but it felt satisfying nonetheless. I got an excellent workout in, made a bit of pocket change, got a trophy and flowers (that I immediately handed over to Jonas' mom) and had the chance to finish ahead of gals who were kicking my ass this year.

On top of that, it was a very special feeling to work well with Jonas in our pre-race routine.  He is now at the point where he's wisely choosing my tires and tire pressure, and even my undergarments so i am best suited for the elements. 

Yesterday was also the first win i had on Concap nutrition supplements. I just started taking a couple of weeks ago.  Thanks Concap!

(podium shot by Jonas; other photos by Kris Claeyé)

Racing for BABOCO Cycling Team and LOVING IT!!

Yesterday, in one day i switched from the newly formed Champion System - LBS to Baboco Cycling Team. It was easily one of the best decisions I'd made in my life.  The atmosphere of the new team is friendly, kind, easy, respectful of me and of women in racing. I cannot be any happier!  I will surely miss my almost former teammates but look forward to flying the colors of the new Baboco kit!   More info soon.

My next race is tomorrow at the opening round of the GVA Trofee in Namen.  It is considered the first "real" race of the season.  I am so emotionally drained at the moment that i am not sure of my result for tomorrow. But i am hoping that my newfound enthusiasm turns out to be a driving force of sorts.

Thanks to you all for your support!! It means a lot to me.