Alumni Spotlight: Cara on Goal Setting and Just Sending It
Each month we reach out to our amazing alumni. This month, meet Cara.
What's a skill you learned through cycling that helps you outside of racing? Goal setting. I've learned to love the process of picking a goal that means a lot to me, building a long-term plan, and figuring out the little steps I need to take each day to get there. Big goals become daily routines. You learn the process with training and racing, but then you find out you can apply the same thing to finding a new job, learning a new instrument, graduating, or speaking a new language.
If you ran into your 13-year-old cycling self, what advice would you give? I would tell myself that, despite what the Jostens high school ring salesman at the pep rally says, life does not peak in high school. Hopefully I could provide some perspective that high school is (was?) awkward, a little painful, mostly enjoyable. I'd tell myself the confidence and social skills I'll pick up will be invaluable in whatever I follow post-graduation.
If you could relive one race day, which would it be and why? I really enjoyed the last day of the Redlands Stage Race this year. Obviously a good result is pretty fun, but being able to celebrate with my teammates and having my friends come find me after we crossed the line is something I'd love to relive.
What's one piece of advice you'd give current team riders? Send it? I think I would describe myself as a cautious person. When I've gone back and forth on reaching out to someone, following a move in a race, sending an email, or applying for a job, I've had the best opportunities come back to me when I just send it. Turns out the biggest risk is usually just rejection, which is a little less painful every time I try.
Favorite post-ride snack? It's more of a meal, or a mid-ride dream, than a snack. Sometimes fig bars don't cut it. It starts with a crispy plate of hashbrowns, then three sunny-side-up eggs on top, half an avocado, and a Roma tomato sliced on the side. The whole thing drizzled in salt and a little maple syrup.
