Unlike most springs and summers where I find myself weaving bike races into my seasons, this year my spring and summer was focused on being patient—something I am not good at. After having back surgery at the end of March, I knew that the only way I could be at the start line for cyclocross season would be to hang up all the race bikes, avoid epic games of horse at the neighborhood basketball game, set down my pickleball racquet, and fulfill the role of caddy for any golf outings. Really, the goal was to avoid being myself at all times, as I just love to play.

While I was riding my bike today, I tried to figure out how to best introduce myself to the Team S&M followers. I guess the best way to do this is to ask myself the question: “Why, as a 42-year-old, am I still racing bikes?” And the answer is: “I love to compete.” Whether it is bike racing, golf, basketball, or any other sport that I have done in the past or will find in the future, I am an athlete at heart. Additionally, I have always considered myself a “Deal the Cards” kind of person. I’ll elaborate. I mean I have this crazy optimistic personality that always thinks maybe the next game is going to be my best. Therefore, deal the cards. Let’s go.

The “deal the cards” mentality was engrained in me at a young age. The Davis family has always been competitive at sports, but those that know us best know that in sports we never compete against each other. However, when it came to a certain game of cards the gloves came off. Nertz is the card game we play. It was perfect for the Davis family. Fast pace, competitive, and contact would be the three adjectives to describe this card game. When newcomers wanted in, my advice was this: memorize their own cards, memorize all the other players cards, don’t get rattled by the trash talking, don’t let my mom’s sweet personality fool ya, and keep your elbows up. It is a fierce game that sent many friends (including all those that have married into the family) running for the door when the decks of cards came out, and a only a select few joining us at the dining table.

The four original Davises are all alike. We are super competitive but not the type that gets mad when they are losing, throwing the cards in, and storming off. No, we are all the “deal the cards” type of people, as we all believe that the next game is ours to win. My dad is famous for being the only person that I have ever known to think he has won 7 out of 5 card games. There were many evenings growing up where I was told not to go to bed or not to do my homework as we needed to play our 5 th or maybe our 10 th final game of the night. No one ever wanted to stop for the night as we are all so addicted to what that next game might bring. My favorite games were the ones when I was dealt a bad hand. My internal test was always – what can I do with this hand and how far could I go.

This deal the cards mentality has kept me racing into my 40’s. After having kids, it has helped me focus just on showing up. I no longer head into a race weekend stressed about a result I need to achieve. I now grade my performances mostly on - do I have a result, meaning, did I tow the line. Then my next grade is – did I give it my best on that day. And lastly, did I have fun at the race weekend in general. And as a mom, these are the lessons I stress with my little athletes. Being a bike racer is not my only life, and there are times when my training or race prep is not perfect. But I no longer look for perfect or hunt for a result, I look for giving it my best. And I have found that this has brought me more successes.

As a 42-year-old working mom, and 5 months out from back surgery, the cards are no longer stacked in my favor. But as we roll into Labor Day Weekend and the sun rises on cyclocross season, I say DEAL THE CARDS.