October 13, 2008 - A new voyage on Columbus Day
Ok, so not a race. But I thought it was good advertising for Bianchi and my team sponsors. :) Tony and I went into town on our bikes. I rode with the trailer and Tony had panniers. The trailer wasn't as cumbersome without the groceries, but once we added the weight it became much harder. I thought it would be more difficult to go up the hills than it was, but it was a lot harder to turn than I thought. Crossing the 4-lane was the hardest thing. Oh, and any turns where I had to stop prior and then go up a hill. Starting up with all the weight is difficult. And going downhill over 25 mph is very sketchy. I almost fell when I tried to turn from the 4-lane onto Dicks Creek after stopping in the median for traffic.
We rode along River Road into Ingles. It was a 19 mile round trip and a 1 hour 18 minute ride. 14.6 average speed. Apparently, I did hit 31.6 as a max speed. My cadence averaged 73 and maxed at 110.
It was a beautiful, blue sky day. Fall colors made it even more beautiful.
We ran into Chad Hallyburton who was running (he commutes by running with a backpack) to the store and then on home from work.
We bought about $60 in groceries. We put the yogurt and frozen fruit in the cooler. We also had a couple juices, seltzer, soup, bananas, noodles... and I forget what all else.
Anyway, I'd do it again. It was fun. And definitely great for strength training. And I saved 20 miles worth of gas! Yea!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tour de Tuck • September 20, 2008
I'm glad that I did this ride again. I needed a positive outcome for my cycling. I was wishy-washy about doing the ride, especially the 108 mile version. But, I decided I needed the challenge. I was hoping I would not get sick, as I did last year.
I started out in the front end of the pack on the four-lane, tucking out of the wind as much as possible. There was another girl up there from Simple Green, Alicia. She spent more time in the wind. I figured she was strong enough, but I knew I needed to conserve. I stayed with the front pack all the way to the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway climb. I decided that I needed to go my own pace so that I wouldn't blow up too early. I had my Motor Tabs this year and had great confidence that this would keep me from being nauseated at the top. It worked out well since I never did get nauseated! Yea, Motor Tabs! I stopped as needed at Soco for a refill of water and a Powerbar. I also ate some Clif blocks... sucking on them as I climbed. I don't know how some of these guys go without stopping. I definitely was glad to fill up regularly. I let Alicia go somewhere on the Parkway. Last year, I had tried to stay with some other fast girls (BMW-Bianchi girls!) and I blew up at the top. It was hard to let her go, but I reminded myself that it was not a race and my goal was to stay well and finish strong.
It was a long climb up to Richland Balsam and I felt it wear on me at the top. It wasn't as cold as I was expecting. My armwarmers and DeFeet undershirt with jersey sufficed. I was pretty much alone at the top and at the beginning of Charley's Creek. On the climb up Charley's Creek, I came up on a couple of guys. We rode together a bit. Then we picked up Alicia again. These hills on Charley's Creek were starting to really hurt and my neck was in complete spasm (ouch). But the end was in sight and I knew that when we reached Hwy 107 that it would be fairly flat and fast. We got in a nice 10 or so person paceline and sped on in. It was a nice way to finish. I posted a time of under 7 hours and was happy about that.
I started out in the front end of the pack on the four-lane, tucking out of the wind as much as possible. There was another girl up there from Simple Green, Alicia. She spent more time in the wind. I figured she was strong enough, but I knew I needed to conserve. I stayed with the front pack all the way to the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway climb. I decided that I needed to go my own pace so that I wouldn't blow up too early. I had my Motor Tabs this year and had great confidence that this would keep me from being nauseated at the top. It worked out well since I never did get nauseated! Yea, Motor Tabs! I stopped as needed at Soco for a refill of water and a Powerbar. I also ate some Clif blocks... sucking on them as I climbed. I don't know how some of these guys go without stopping. I definitely was glad to fill up regularly. I let Alicia go somewhere on the Parkway. Last year, I had tried to stay with some other fast girls (BMW-Bianchi girls!) and I blew up at the top. It was hard to let her go, but I reminded myself that it was not a race and my goal was to stay well and finish strong.
It was a long climb up to Richland Balsam and I felt it wear on me at the top. It wasn't as cold as I was expecting. My armwarmers and DeFeet undershirt with jersey sufficed. I was pretty much alone at the top and at the beginning of Charley's Creek. On the climb up Charley's Creek, I came up on a couple of guys. We rode together a bit. Then we picked up Alicia again. These hills on Charley's Creek were starting to really hurt and my neck was in complete spasm (ouch). But the end was in sight and I knew that when we reached Hwy 107 that it would be fairly flat and fast. We got in a nice 10 or so person paceline and sped on in. It was a nice way to finish. I posted a time of under 7 hours and was happy about that.
Asheville Grand Prix • Sept. 13, 2008
This race had a large purse for a small, but strong field. Lauren Franges and Laura Bowles showed up for this tough race. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I had no idea there would be such a tough hill and I didn't notice until I showed up at the start line that we'd be doing 30+ laps up this hill. It wasn't long until I was off the back. And then I was counting the number of times I was being lapped. But even at 16th, I was still in the money (20 deep), so I had to keep going. I tried to stick with the field a couple of times, but my hill legs just don't snap that fast. Or maybe it was a mental thing that I couldn't do it? Either way, I have not much to say about this race. I can't say that showing up for it was particularly positive for me. Especially since I haven't been feeling great and my dog was even sicker.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Carolina Cup photo of me
http://www.carolinacup.com/images/2008/EdSink/ccupwomenpro123063.html
This was when I went off the front.
This was when I went off the front.
Carolina Cup • September 7th, 2008
Deb and I travelled out to Greensboro, NC, for the Carolina Cup. It took place in this nice park with rolling hills and a lake. The criterium course was a mile long with some mild climbing on the back side followed by a flat to mild downhill finish. About 16 of us took the line again, almost half from our BMW-Bianchi team (Christy, Tonya, Deb, me, Janet, Melinda, Evie). We planned to be aggressive on the front. Of course, I was slow to start and ended on the back of the field on the first lap. I couldn't tell what my teammates were doing at the front, but I think Deb took the first turn off the front and then I saw Christy go off at one point and stay away for awhile before she sat up and absorbed back in the field. Tonya tried her turn off the front, too. A little less than halfway through the race, I took my turn spinning hard off the front on the downhill. I got a good gap and didn't look back. I went in my perceived Zone 4 and tried to stay there, leaving just enough gas in my tank in case the field swallowed me back up. After a lap, I heard Dan Edgerton yell, "They're not in sight, go go!" This fueled my tank some more. I still didn't look back and kept the pace turned on. I got at least 2 laps on my own before Laura Bowles pulled me in. It was the two of us briefly, before I heard the field pull up on us. I sat in the back to recover, and it took until 4 laps to go for me to feel recovered enough. Janet made a couple hard attacks at the end to shake things up. I didn't have a strategy set in my mind on the final laps and my placement in the final sprint left a lot to be desired. I got stuck behind some folks and indecisively tried going around from both sides of the road with little success. By the time I got around, we were crossing the line. I was 9th behind my teammates, Christy (5th), Tonya (6th), and Deb (8th). Janet (13th), Melinda (15th), Evie (16th).
The weather was perfect and sunny. The course was shady and cool. It was a fun race and course. I would definitely do it again.
http://www.carolinacup.com
The weather was perfect and sunny. The course was shady and cool. It was a fun race and course. I would definitely do it again.
http://www.carolinacup.com
BMW Chattanooga races • August 23-24, 2008
Saturday's 40 mile road race started out flat and fast. There were 17 women at the start. I enjoyed the pace and felt ok. But it wasn't long before the first "hill" and my face felt flushed and I became nauseated. On the second hill, I felt worse and fell of the back. I caught back on, only to fall off again before the big prime hill. I rode a bit with another girl, but then I felt to ill to even stay with her. I finished the race, creeping to the finish, feeling horrible. Last, of course. I felt so bad, I couldn't wait to get a cool hotel room. I basically took a nap with Barack Obama announcing Joe Biden as running mateon TV in the background. Got up with a splitting headache, walked across the street to CVS for Tylenol, and went back to sleep, skipping the afternoon time trial.
Sunday's criterium had about the same number of women. It was rainy. It was a nice flat course, totally my style, but the final corner had a slick faux brick which was the culprit of several crashes. My tire slid early on as a warning, so I wasn't eager to do much but stay upright through the corner. I never felt like I was in good placement at the finish because I was so cautious in the corner. My teammie, Cora, went down mid-race, which mentally just washed away any aggressive thoughts I had for the finish. I got 7th place, just one place out of the money. Somehow, I seem to frequently talk myself just out of placing in the money.
Sunday's criterium had about the same number of women. It was rainy. It was a nice flat course, totally my style, but the final corner had a slick faux brick which was the culprit of several crashes. My tire slid early on as a warning, so I wasn't eager to do much but stay upright through the corner. I never felt like I was in good placement at the finish because I was so cautious in the corner. My teammie, Cora, went down mid-race, which mentally just washed away any aggressive thoughts I had for the finish. I got 7th place, just one place out of the money. Somehow, I seem to frequently talk myself just out of placing in the money.
Downer's Grove Criterium, August 16-17, 2008 (National Criterium Championships)
It's been 5 years or more since I raced this very fast race. Going in, I wasn't sure if I could even finish it without being pulled. I've never been able finish it before. This season, I haven't finished a national race, either. I signed up for both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday was the official National Criterium Championship, but Saturday had many of the same characters.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
My mom, dad, and niece, Kaitlyn, accompanied me to the race. I set up my trainer next to the race course and Kaitlyn gladly took on the role of coach and cheerleader. She told me to go faster as I did some intervals on the trainer. We set up next to the hay bales and witnessed a pretty exciting wreck there in the mens' race... several crashing into and through the bales.
There were 80 women at the start. Team Tibco, Cheerwine, Colavita, Vanderkitten. Women such as Tina Pic, Lauren Franges, Laura Bowles and other big names there. I started in the back, but was able to get into my cleats pretty quickly and hung on the back on the fast, first lap. I had no idea that a group of four had gotten off the front fairly early until the post-race report from my family. There were very few laps where my heart rate came down to a manageable rate. I was pretty much hurting the entire race, but took each lap as an accomplishment with the "just one more" mentality. Each time up the hill, I talked myself into the right gear... not too easy that I'd slip backward but not too hard that I couldn't turn them quickly. The hill was short, but fast and fairly steep... at least it felt steep as we got further into the 45 minute race. There was a very long recovery after the hill, but the pace picked up, too, so there wasn't any coasting. It was a figure eight course with a couple tight corners. The final corner before the finish had a line of hay bales and the finish was on a manageable incline.
So, I was happy to finish the race. In the last lap, I got dropped off from the pack as the pace picked up. But I finished and got placed 62nd. (I got placed!) I was so excited to finish the race. Our average speed was 24.9! My heart rate averaged in the mid-160's with my max in the 170's.
We all walked around the perimeter of the entire course, watching the mens' pro race. We ate some pizza after the races.
SUNDAY, August 17
I went only with my Mom because Dad had some things to take care of. Kaitlyn came with her family, but didn't arrive until after I got pulled! So, I missed her coaching during my trainer workout. I could tell during my trainer workout that I was sore and having more trouble with the warm-up, but I didn't know how tired my legs actually were until I got into the race. I don't know if it started out faster, but the hill and my legs did not get along even on the first lap. I managed to stay with the pack on the first lap, but on the second lap my legs went to jello and failed under me. I couldn't even get back on the recovery side of the course and mentally gave up. The rear car passed me. On the third lap of the hill, I cried out in pain. The pack wasn't that far ahead, but I was behind the race vehicles, so they pulled me off the course. It was disappointing that I got pulled so soon, but it wasn't going to be long until I got lapped anyway. I got off the course, and my sister's family had just showed up. They never even saw me on the course.
Kaitlyn (6) and Zachary (3) decided to participate in the big wheel race. It was difficult to find ones that fit them and neither of them had ever ridden a big wheel before. It was a downhill course for them to the finish line (backwards on the course). Zachary got in a wave in his age group and I waited at the bottom and waited and waited. Where did he go? He changed his mind and didn't want to do it. Kaitlyn got in her age group and raced down on her borrowed big wheel. Where were the brakes as it appeared she was going to plow into the other kids. I stopped her before the finish line and she got her medal. It was cool to expose the kids to the race scene. The last time I had raced it, Kaitlyn was less than a year old.
After the race, we ate breakfast at a local restaurant and then went to the Morton Arboretum and enjoyed the new kids' area.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
My mom, dad, and niece, Kaitlyn, accompanied me to the race. I set up my trainer next to the race course and Kaitlyn gladly took on the role of coach and cheerleader. She told me to go faster as I did some intervals on the trainer. We set up next to the hay bales and witnessed a pretty exciting wreck there in the mens' race... several crashing into and through the bales.
There were 80 women at the start. Team Tibco, Cheerwine, Colavita, Vanderkitten. Women such as Tina Pic, Lauren Franges, Laura Bowles and other big names there. I started in the back, but was able to get into my cleats pretty quickly and hung on the back on the fast, first lap. I had no idea that a group of four had gotten off the front fairly early until the post-race report from my family. There were very few laps where my heart rate came down to a manageable rate. I was pretty much hurting the entire race, but took each lap as an accomplishment with the "just one more" mentality. Each time up the hill, I talked myself into the right gear... not too easy that I'd slip backward but not too hard that I couldn't turn them quickly. The hill was short, but fast and fairly steep... at least it felt steep as we got further into the 45 minute race. There was a very long recovery after the hill, but the pace picked up, too, so there wasn't any coasting. It was a figure eight course with a couple tight corners. The final corner before the finish had a line of hay bales and the finish was on a manageable incline.
So, I was happy to finish the race. In the last lap, I got dropped off from the pack as the pace picked up. But I finished and got placed 62nd. (I got placed!) I was so excited to finish the race. Our average speed was 24.9! My heart rate averaged in the mid-160's with my max in the 170's.
We all walked around the perimeter of the entire course, watching the mens' pro race. We ate some pizza after the races.
SUNDAY, August 17
I went only with my Mom because Dad had some things to take care of. Kaitlyn came with her family, but didn't arrive until after I got pulled! So, I missed her coaching during my trainer workout. I could tell during my trainer workout that I was sore and having more trouble with the warm-up, but I didn't know how tired my legs actually were until I got into the race. I don't know if it started out faster, but the hill and my legs did not get along even on the first lap. I managed to stay with the pack on the first lap, but on the second lap my legs went to jello and failed under me. I couldn't even get back on the recovery side of the course and mentally gave up. The rear car passed me. On the third lap of the hill, I cried out in pain. The pack wasn't that far ahead, but I was behind the race vehicles, so they pulled me off the course. It was disappointing that I got pulled so soon, but it wasn't going to be long until I got lapped anyway. I got off the course, and my sister's family had just showed up. They never even saw me on the course.
Kaitlyn (6) and Zachary (3) decided to participate in the big wheel race. It was difficult to find ones that fit them and neither of them had ever ridden a big wheel before. It was a downhill course for them to the finish line (backwards on the course). Zachary got in a wave in his age group and I waited at the bottom and waited and waited. Where did he go? He changed his mind and didn't want to do it. Kaitlyn got in her age group and raced down on her borrowed big wheel. Where were the brakes as it appeared she was going to plow into the other kids. I stopped her before the finish line and she got her medal. It was cool to expose the kids to the race scene. The last time I had raced it, Kaitlyn was less than a year old.
After the race, we ate breakfast at a local restaurant and then went to the Morton Arboretum and enjoyed the new kids' area.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Asheville Criterium FBCC, July 20, 2008
This is the really tight corner before the finish. Asheville River Arts District. I'm on the inside of the corner.
French Broad Cycling Classic
July 18-20, 2008
RIVER ROAD TIME TRIAL • Friday, July 18th... 12 miles
This TT has been in existence for as long as I've been racing in NC. And I still don't seem to have gotten better at it! The winning times for Women 1/2/3 are sub-30 minutes, which I've never attained. This year was not any different. I felt pretty good overall, but I just couldn't maintain anything around the 24 mph mark. This year, there wasn't much of a wind, so both directions felt fairly similar. My turnaround went pretty smooth. I passed a woman and a junior. The course is rolling with false flats and the finish line always seems like it should be around the next bend...
5th place w/ time of 31:22.352 at an average speed of 23.72. (The PRO woman who won had a time of 27:45 at 26.81 mph)
Average cadence of 93. Max speed of 27.5. My ave heart rate was 169 with a max of 176.
BREVARD CRITERIUM • Saturday, July 19th
Hot hot hot. Well, I rode from Long Shoals Road to the race start in Brevard, about 25 miles of warm up on rolling hills, with most of it in full sun. Probably not the best idea before a big race? Overheated instead of warmed up.
Anyway, I was in the front row at the start line (rare for me), but did not get my foot in the pedal until the front two PRO women were around the first corner. I trailed on the end of the field barely hanging on the entire race. Ok, except the one prime I went for because no one else seemed to care (a jersey instead of money)... my teammie, Christy just got me at the line for the second jersey... didn't care anyway, just wanted to feel what it was like in the front. Ha ha.
The two PRO women went off the front on their own from the start with minimal effort chasing from the group. The pack felt really surgy even on the flat back side of the course. I never felt in a zone of anything... just braking in the corners trying not to be cut off and then trying to make up ground on the straights. It was uphill to the finish, which does not help me since I suck at the crit hill sprints. I think the hill sprints and the couple of efforts on the front burnt me and blew me off the back. I was feeling a bit hot this race, too. The PRO women lapped me and I got on their wheel. Wow, it felt a lot easier with a steady pace and few surges to contend with until the end. So I ended up 13th out of 20 starters.
16.5 miles in 45 minutes at an ave speed of 21.8 mph (max 31.5). Heart rate ave of 159 and max of 173.
Somehow, this terrible finish still put me in omnium points so the next day I still had some racing to do.
After the race, I was so overheated that I stretched out on a picnic table until Tony came by and I was ready to get in the car and get some cold water. Got a Starbuck's Chocolate Banana smoothie, too.
ASHEVILLE RIVER ARTS CRITERIUM • July 20, 2008
I was a bit worried about this crit going into it. It is in the shape of a triangle with a really tight bottom corner post-hill and then with a long hill sprint. I've heard about this course and so had it as crash-likely in my head. I also felt really unmotivated and fatigued prior to the race. And started to cry because I was too tired to even enjoy my Starbuck's frappuchino.
Deb had a tent set up for some nice shade-factor. I spent a lot of time under it before and after the race. I didn't warm up very long prior to this race because it felt so incredibly hot to me, and after the day before, I felt better off with less time in the heat. I think this paid off since I never gapped off the back of the pack. Apparently, a couple of my other teammie's had felt pretty rotten coming into this race, too... so misery likes a bit of company. Evie and I did a short warm up along the river and then we all did a few laps around the course to feel it out. The corners weren't as bad I thought they would be.
I didn't start in the front this time, but I don't think it mattered because at least I got in my pedals right away. I changed my pedals for this race, too, and I think it helped some. Evie had a hard time getting in hers this time, and I think all my worry about myself got her all anxious about it, too. :( There were two PRO women (one my coach, Laura Bowles) again in the field who took off AGAIN after the first sprint prime. And no one chased AGAIN. I think I tried once, but realized I'd be alone in the effort and afraid I'd blow up trying. I pretty much sat in the field and played with positioning in the final corner and up the hill. I made a couple of efforts after another girl primed off the front and seemed to be getting away. Again, no one seemed to want to work to catch her, so I watched her go off into the sunset... well, it wasn't that late. :) With a few laps to go, I sat behind Deb's wheel and a few others to try to get back some juice for the sprint. I wasn't all re-juiced, but I thought my position might be ok at third wheel leading into the final corner behind two Nicoles. Then they got all stressed over overtaking a lapped rider in the corner and almost wrecked each other. They held it up and I took off for the finish. Not sure what happened, or if the incident really affected me, but everyone seemed to have more juice. I took 9th which got me into 6th in the omnium and in some money.
14.61 miles in 41:31 minutes. 21 mph ave speed and 31.6 max. 72 ave cadence with 104 max. My heart rate reached it's max for the year of 180. My ave HR was 163.
I felt hotter than the day before. I got a bag of ice from the cafe and let it melt under my shirt and on my head for the next couple of hours. That felt so good.
RIVER ROAD TIME TRIAL • Friday, July 18th... 12 miles
This TT has been in existence for as long as I've been racing in NC. And I still don't seem to have gotten better at it! The winning times for Women 1/2/3 are sub-30 minutes, which I've never attained. This year was not any different. I felt pretty good overall, but I just couldn't maintain anything around the 24 mph mark. This year, there wasn't much of a wind, so both directions felt fairly similar. My turnaround went pretty smooth. I passed a woman and a junior. The course is rolling with false flats and the finish line always seems like it should be around the next bend...
5th place w/ time of 31:22.352 at an average speed of 23.72. (The PRO woman who won had a time of 27:45 at 26.81 mph)
Average cadence of 93. Max speed of 27.5. My ave heart rate was 169 with a max of 176.
BREVARD CRITERIUM • Saturday, July 19th
Hot hot hot. Well, I rode from Long Shoals Road to the race start in Brevard, about 25 miles of warm up on rolling hills, with most of it in full sun. Probably not the best idea before a big race? Overheated instead of warmed up.
Anyway, I was in the front row at the start line (rare for me), but did not get my foot in the pedal until the front two PRO women were around the first corner. I trailed on the end of the field barely hanging on the entire race. Ok, except the one prime I went for because no one else seemed to care (a jersey instead of money)... my teammie, Christy just got me at the line for the second jersey... didn't care anyway, just wanted to feel what it was like in the front. Ha ha.
The two PRO women went off the front on their own from the start with minimal effort chasing from the group. The pack felt really surgy even on the flat back side of the course. I never felt in a zone of anything... just braking in the corners trying not to be cut off and then trying to make up ground on the straights. It was uphill to the finish, which does not help me since I suck at the crit hill sprints. I think the hill sprints and the couple of efforts on the front burnt me and blew me off the back. I was feeling a bit hot this race, too. The PRO women lapped me and I got on their wheel. Wow, it felt a lot easier with a steady pace and few surges to contend with until the end. So I ended up 13th out of 20 starters.
16.5 miles in 45 minutes at an ave speed of 21.8 mph (max 31.5). Heart rate ave of 159 and max of 173.
Somehow, this terrible finish still put me in omnium points so the next day I still had some racing to do.
After the race, I was so overheated that I stretched out on a picnic table until Tony came by and I was ready to get in the car and get some cold water. Got a Starbuck's Chocolate Banana smoothie, too.
ASHEVILLE RIVER ARTS CRITERIUM • July 20, 2008
I was a bit worried about this crit going into it. It is in the shape of a triangle with a really tight bottom corner post-hill and then with a long hill sprint. I've heard about this course and so had it as crash-likely in my head. I also felt really unmotivated and fatigued prior to the race. And started to cry because I was too tired to even enjoy my Starbuck's frappuchino.
Deb had a tent set up for some nice shade-factor. I spent a lot of time under it before and after the race. I didn't warm up very long prior to this race because it felt so incredibly hot to me, and after the day before, I felt better off with less time in the heat. I think this paid off since I never gapped off the back of the pack. Apparently, a couple of my other teammie's had felt pretty rotten coming into this race, too... so misery likes a bit of company. Evie and I did a short warm up along the river and then we all did a few laps around the course to feel it out. The corners weren't as bad I thought they would be.
I didn't start in the front this time, but I don't think it mattered because at least I got in my pedals right away. I changed my pedals for this race, too, and I think it helped some. Evie had a hard time getting in hers this time, and I think all my worry about myself got her all anxious about it, too. :( There were two PRO women (one my coach, Laura Bowles) again in the field who took off AGAIN after the first sprint prime. And no one chased AGAIN. I think I tried once, but realized I'd be alone in the effort and afraid I'd blow up trying. I pretty much sat in the field and played with positioning in the final corner and up the hill. I made a couple of efforts after another girl primed off the front and seemed to be getting away. Again, no one seemed to want to work to catch her, so I watched her go off into the sunset... well, it wasn't that late. :) With a few laps to go, I sat behind Deb's wheel and a few others to try to get back some juice for the sprint. I wasn't all re-juiced, but I thought my position might be ok at third wheel leading into the final corner behind two Nicoles. Then they got all stressed over overtaking a lapped rider in the corner and almost wrecked each other. They held it up and I took off for the finish. Not sure what happened, or if the incident really affected me, but everyone seemed to have more juice. I took 9th which got me into 6th in the omnium and in some money.
14.61 miles in 41:31 minutes. 21 mph ave speed and 31.6 max. 72 ave cadence with 104 max. My heart rate reached it's max for the year of 180. My ave HR was 163.
I felt hotter than the day before. I got a bag of ice from the cafe and let it melt under my shirt and on my head for the next couple of hours. That felt so good.
Cherokee Park Road Race
This is the Women's 40-44 category. My teammie, Laura Wieslo, was racing in this photo.
This is one of the tightest turns on the course.
Masters Nationals in Louisville, KY
June 30 TT 4o km (35-39 category)
I must not have been mentally prepared for this one. The day before I left, my handlebars came unscrewed and I didn't get a chance to try out my TT position with aero bars that I'd never used. More of a mental set-back, I guess. I also had worked a night shift prior to driving on Sunday. I slept at my teammate's house and transfered my stuff the the team BMW car. It was a good 6 hour drive to Louisville and I arrived around 11 pm for a 11 am TT start the next day.
My parents came to Louisville to visit with me (meet me halfway). This was our first trip to Louisville (minus passing through). It turned out to be a nice enough city to visit. We toured the new riverside park and drove around some of the neighborhoods. The waterfront park has some nice fountains for the kids to play in and swings overlooking the river for the adults to enjoy. So, we did the touristy thing in between the races...
...Which didn't go so well for me. I didn't even think to wear my skinsuit for the TT... maybe not minutes of extra time, but sure was psychologically a hit... so was the lack of aero helmet and disc wheel that everyone else seemed to have as they flew by me on the TT course... 7 women passed me? I think I gave up the race after the first two passed me. My aero bars were too close to my body and I couldn't stretch out. I felt like I couldn't breathe at all... and my hips started to cramp on top of that. Maybe also an air pollution factor since I felt like my asthma was bothering me during the road race, as well. So what can I say? I finished dead last out of 13 in my age category. It wasn't even a race if you look at my time. Oh well. The course was rolling with a head wind on the Indiana side of the river starting from the casino. Mom and Dad sat under our pop-up tent. After the race, a strong gust took it into a field and pretty much ruined the tent. It was nice to have them there.
July 1, 2008 • Road Race in Cherokee Park
This course was beautiful. It was in this nice, wooded park on the east side of Louisville. It was a 5 mile loop (9 laps for our field) up and down these hills. The hills were big chain ring... ok, could be done in the big ring, not sure if I should have... These hills wore me down lap after lap. The first lap was manageable. The pace was fast, but not where I felt like I would blow off the back. The second lap picked up pace and we passed my teammate's (Cara) category (30-34), so I knew we were going pretty hard. They tried to shell me off the back a couple of times on the hills, but I hung on. I don't remember which lap I got dropped on in the first half of the race... but I remember the corner that it happened. It was not after the tightest or more difficult corner, oddly enough it was after an easy corner. A few girls just picked up the pace a little after the corner and no one seemed to chase. By the time I realized what was happening, they had a nice gap on us. I did manage to get back on, but the effort cost me later on when I got dropped a couple more times on hill efforts... and finally for good on Cochran's Hill. Did I have more? I don't really know. I wasn't the only one to drop there and I managed to stay with a Hincapie rider for a lap or two more before I just couldn't hang with her either. I let her go. It had seemed that we kept seeing a dropped rider from the front pack on a hill in front of us, but we never could catch her. She was always just out of reach. Then I got passed by another rider. I got 8th place.
My parents left on July 3rd. I saw fireworks with my teammie, Janet, and her hubby whilst sitting on a swing overlooking the river. They weren't spectacular (it has Navy Pier to compare to), but it was pretty watching them over the river.
July 4, 2008 • Criterium at Churchill Downs
Raining. Not cold, just very wet. Never fun during a criterium with corners. This race didn't have very bad corners. It was on this paved infield road that looped around. It let up to a drizzle during our race (the warm-up was full on pour). The race wasn't particularly exciting. The pack stayed together and the pace was manageable except for a few efforts that only told me that I had no chance of staying off the front. I sucked wheel for as much as possible to save up for the sprint. Like everyone else, I guess. There were only 9 of us there today (rain?). I was actually in pretty good position and confidence going into the last lap. Then in the first corner, this girl came into me on the inside and almost crashed me. I held it up, but I lost my desire to play this game. It was pretty deliberate and totally unnecessary. There was plenty or road! I didn't do much in the sprint but stay out of the mess. And then two girls went down at the sprint line, just after crossing it. That, too, was just brutish aggressive nonsense. This isn't some international tour and there wasn't even any money on the line. How ridiculous. I got 7th out of 9.
I must not have been mentally prepared for this one. The day before I left, my handlebars came unscrewed and I didn't get a chance to try out my TT position with aero bars that I'd never used. More of a mental set-back, I guess. I also had worked a night shift prior to driving on Sunday. I slept at my teammate's house and transfered my stuff the the team BMW car. It was a good 6 hour drive to Louisville and I arrived around 11 pm for a 11 am TT start the next day.
My parents came to Louisville to visit with me (meet me halfway). This was our first trip to Louisville (minus passing through). It turned out to be a nice enough city to visit. We toured the new riverside park and drove around some of the neighborhoods. The waterfront park has some nice fountains for the kids to play in and swings overlooking the river for the adults to enjoy. So, we did the touristy thing in between the races...
...Which didn't go so well for me. I didn't even think to wear my skinsuit for the TT... maybe not minutes of extra time, but sure was psychologically a hit... so was the lack of aero helmet and disc wheel that everyone else seemed to have as they flew by me on the TT course... 7 women passed me? I think I gave up the race after the first two passed me. My aero bars were too close to my body and I couldn't stretch out. I felt like I couldn't breathe at all... and my hips started to cramp on top of that. Maybe also an air pollution factor since I felt like my asthma was bothering me during the road race, as well. So what can I say? I finished dead last out of 13 in my age category. It wasn't even a race if you look at my time. Oh well. The course was rolling with a head wind on the Indiana side of the river starting from the casino. Mom and Dad sat under our pop-up tent. After the race, a strong gust took it into a field and pretty much ruined the tent. It was nice to have them there.
July 1, 2008 • Road Race in Cherokee Park
This course was beautiful. It was in this nice, wooded park on the east side of Louisville. It was a 5 mile loop (9 laps for our field) up and down these hills. The hills were big chain ring... ok, could be done in the big ring, not sure if I should have... These hills wore me down lap after lap. The first lap was manageable. The pace was fast, but not where I felt like I would blow off the back. The second lap picked up pace and we passed my teammate's (Cara) category (30-34), so I knew we were going pretty hard. They tried to shell me off the back a couple of times on the hills, but I hung on. I don't remember which lap I got dropped on in the first half of the race... but I remember the corner that it happened. It was not after the tightest or more difficult corner, oddly enough it was after an easy corner. A few girls just picked up the pace a little after the corner and no one seemed to chase. By the time I realized what was happening, they had a nice gap on us. I did manage to get back on, but the effort cost me later on when I got dropped a couple more times on hill efforts... and finally for good on Cochran's Hill. Did I have more? I don't really know. I wasn't the only one to drop there and I managed to stay with a Hincapie rider for a lap or two more before I just couldn't hang with her either. I let her go. It had seemed that we kept seeing a dropped rider from the front pack on a hill in front of us, but we never could catch her. She was always just out of reach. Then I got passed by another rider. I got 8th place.
My parents left on July 3rd. I saw fireworks with my teammie, Janet, and her hubby whilst sitting on a swing overlooking the river. They weren't spectacular (it has Navy Pier to compare to), but it was pretty watching them over the river.
July 4, 2008 • Criterium at Churchill Downs
Raining. Not cold, just very wet. Never fun during a criterium with corners. This race didn't have very bad corners. It was on this paved infield road that looped around. It let up to a drizzle during our race (the warm-up was full on pour). The race wasn't particularly exciting. The pack stayed together and the pace was manageable except for a few efforts that only told me that I had no chance of staying off the front. I sucked wheel for as much as possible to save up for the sprint. Like everyone else, I guess. There were only 9 of us there today (rain?). I was actually in pretty good position and confidence going into the last lap. Then in the first corner, this girl came into me on the inside and almost crashed me. I held it up, but I lost my desire to play this game. It was pretty deliberate and totally unnecessary. There was plenty or road! I didn't do much in the sprint but stay out of the mess. And then two girls went down at the sprint line, just after crossing it. That, too, was just brutish aggressive nonsense. This isn't some international tour and there wasn't even any money on the line. How ridiculous. I got 7th out of 9.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
NC State RR Championships, Salisbury, NC
SATURDAY Women 30+ and Under 23 (26 riders): 1 pm start.
HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT. Maybe it was only 91 degrees, but it felt hotter than Philly. Maybe it was the lack of any appreciable ocean breeze in central North Carolina. Our team set up a tent to ready for the race in some shade. There were 7 of us teammies on both days with a couple of different faces on each day.
I wasn't feeling well on Saturday. Very tired from working and not catching up, then nauseated. Our team strategy was too set Cara up for the win. I attempted to work the front a couple of times in the first lap (3 laps to total 41 miles), but I was feeling lousy. I finally threw up at the feed zone and the frappuchino on second round didn't taste so yummy. I decided that I'd better just sit in the back for the ride for the rest of the race. I had contemplated dropping completely, but I am not one to quit a race and the thought of riding by myself in the heat just wasn't appealing. The efforts of the pack weren't many or particularly difficult to stay with. The heat was brutal and I vowed to stay hydrated. I had three water bottles with me with my Motor Tabs (love them!)... one in my back pocket which I struggled to remove at one point. I also took a feed to make 4 total bottles. On the last lap I took in a yummy Carb-boom.
I still felt awful in the heat, but I guess everyone else was too. The last lap was pretty slow. On the final stretch, I was searching for a good wheel. I debated between this Barkley girl that was looking strong and Christina (who is always strong). I decided for the Barkley girl who was looking more determined today. We came out of the back of the field for the final sprint. Some others had started the sprint early and fizzled out while we came through the middle. I think Laura helped us get through, too, but don't remember how. It felt like everyone was standing still. I didn't understand why it felt so easy to move to the front of the line... and then passing Cara... I figured I'd play with her at the line but she didn't take bait so I crossed in front of her (ok, that wasn't the plan). The Hincapie girl won (go figure I always talk myself out of the win)... but then everyone told me she was from Virginia so that I won the Women's 30+ championship jersey.
The only thing I can figure is that I did a great job in hydrating and fueling while resting in the back of the pack most of the race. I usually work in the front of the pack trying to make a break happen or chasing down a break, so this was a different strategy (or lack of) for me. The heat also wore down the field more than any one person or team could do. It also helped to be behind the right person in the end AND not go out too early in the sprint.
After the race, I headed straight to the air conditioning.
SUNDAY Women Open race (18 riders)
1 pm start
Still HOT, but not as stiffling hot.
I felt better today and was hoping to get Cara her win. I worked really hard at the front with teammie Amy. In fact, after the second lap, I got to the feed zone and got dropped from the pack... far enough that if they had seen me back there, I'm sure they would've picked up the pace and I would've never gotten back on. I hid behind cars to avoid this from happening, and finally got back on. No one noticed. I tried a couple more efforts on the front, but I about got dropped again. I backed off with the last half lap. I wasn't so sure I'd make it up that last easy hill with the pack! Then I heard a loud shotgun noise behind us. What was that? I thought maybe someone's tire blew in the heat. Found out later that there was a big crash. Then someone said it was a teammie down. The pack was split. Who was down? Should we go back? No, we were close to the finish line and near cars and help. We flagged down help at the feed zone. The pack felt disorganized and unenthusiastic about the finish... or was this my thoughts racing around. Where was Cara? I knew I had no legs for the finish. Oh well. I did my best and finished behind Amy... 8th? I don't know because I didn't stay around to make sure I got scored (and apparently I didn't get scored). Melissa got up in the top 5.
I fought with the dang car as I felt overheated and lightheaded. Bending over to find the dang key was just too much. Melissa and I headed over in the other BMW to get Cara. The ambulance was already there and Cara was holding her arm and unsure if it was broken. We headed over the the hospital to see what was up with her arm. Fortunately, her arm faired better than her spirits. Nothing that a cold Coke wouldn't fix? :)
HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT. Maybe it was only 91 degrees, but it felt hotter than Philly. Maybe it was the lack of any appreciable ocean breeze in central North Carolina. Our team set up a tent to ready for the race in some shade. There were 7 of us teammies on both days with a couple of different faces on each day.
I wasn't feeling well on Saturday. Very tired from working and not catching up, then nauseated. Our team strategy was too set Cara up for the win. I attempted to work the front a couple of times in the first lap (3 laps to total 41 miles), but I was feeling lousy. I finally threw up at the feed zone and the frappuchino on second round didn't taste so yummy. I decided that I'd better just sit in the back for the ride for the rest of the race. I had contemplated dropping completely, but I am not one to quit a race and the thought of riding by myself in the heat just wasn't appealing. The efforts of the pack weren't many or particularly difficult to stay with. The heat was brutal and I vowed to stay hydrated. I had three water bottles with me with my Motor Tabs (love them!)... one in my back pocket which I struggled to remove at one point. I also took a feed to make 4 total bottles. On the last lap I took in a yummy Carb-boom.
I still felt awful in the heat, but I guess everyone else was too. The last lap was pretty slow. On the final stretch, I was searching for a good wheel. I debated between this Barkley girl that was looking strong and Christina (who is always strong). I decided for the Barkley girl who was looking more determined today. We came out of the back of the field for the final sprint. Some others had started the sprint early and fizzled out while we came through the middle. I think Laura helped us get through, too, but don't remember how. It felt like everyone was standing still. I didn't understand why it felt so easy to move to the front of the line... and then passing Cara... I figured I'd play with her at the line but she didn't take bait so I crossed in front of her (ok, that wasn't the plan). The Hincapie girl won (go figure I always talk myself out of the win)... but then everyone told me she was from Virginia so that I won the Women's 30+ championship jersey.
The only thing I can figure is that I did a great job in hydrating and fueling while resting in the back of the pack most of the race. I usually work in the front of the pack trying to make a break happen or chasing down a break, so this was a different strategy (or lack of) for me. The heat also wore down the field more than any one person or team could do. It also helped to be behind the right person in the end AND not go out too early in the sprint.
After the race, I headed straight to the air conditioning.
SUNDAY Women Open race (18 riders)
1 pm start
Still HOT, but not as stiffling hot.
I felt better today and was hoping to get Cara her win. I worked really hard at the front with teammie Amy. In fact, after the second lap, I got to the feed zone and got dropped from the pack... far enough that if they had seen me back there, I'm sure they would've picked up the pace and I would've never gotten back on. I hid behind cars to avoid this from happening, and finally got back on. No one noticed. I tried a couple more efforts on the front, but I about got dropped again. I backed off with the last half lap. I wasn't so sure I'd make it up that last easy hill with the pack! Then I heard a loud shotgun noise behind us. What was that? I thought maybe someone's tire blew in the heat. Found out later that there was a big crash. Then someone said it was a teammie down. The pack was split. Who was down? Should we go back? No, we were close to the finish line and near cars and help. We flagged down help at the feed zone. The pack felt disorganized and unenthusiastic about the finish... or was this my thoughts racing around. Where was Cara? I knew I had no legs for the finish. Oh well. I did my best and finished behind Amy... 8th? I don't know because I didn't stay around to make sure I got scored (and apparently I didn't get scored). Melissa got up in the top 5.
I fought with the dang car as I felt overheated and lightheaded. Bending over to find the dang key was just too much. Melissa and I headed over in the other BMW to get Cara. The ambulance was already there and Cara was holding her arm and unsure if it was broken. We headed over the the hospital to see what was up with her arm. Fortunately, her arm faired better than her spirits. Nothing that a cold Coke wouldn't fix? :)
Hot Philadelphia and "The Wall"
I suppose I should at least write a little about the Philly experience since it was a memorable one.
Cara and I drove the BMW up for the 8+ hour trip. We spent the night at her aunt's near Hershey, PA (go chocolate!).
We stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown Philly, just a couple blocks from the finish line of the race. We had an 18 story view of City Hall which I enjoyed one evening while talking with my Mom on the cell. Even at night, it was hot in Philly.
There is a 16 mile path that goes to Valley Forge. Only half of it is paved, however. It follows the river and under some historic bridges (such as the Columbia).
We pre-rode the race course as much as possible... the "Wall" on Levering Street and Lemon Hill. Is the "Wall" really 20%? I could believe that it is in one section. This hill was much longer and steeper than I had imagined, yet it was doable. The only problem is that I had only one speed up the hill which was the same speed on our pre-ride as on race day. Yes, the pack quickly pulled away from me during the race on this hill. Hmmm... maybe I should've been training on Kitchen's Branch this year instead of so much flat River Road. Even the hill on Dicks Creek would've been better training... the one I would avoid by turning around before reaching the hill on training rides.
Could I have stayed with the pack if I had trained more on hills (and not gone to Spain the week before)? Hmmm... not sure... these women were all bone and muscle... not an ounce of fat. Looked like men unless you looked close (did I register for the right event?). I'd have to lose some of this extra paddling to compete with that. Oh, and maybe not work full time nights, either. Ha ha. Race full time? Is there any other way? Who knows.
I actually enjoyed riding in a pack of 200 women for those first 7 miles. I played the game of jockeying for position to the front. Was successful until we started to climb... then my heart rate made a big leap from fairly comfortable to big effort. The pace seemed to pick up here, too, which sank my confidence going into the "Wall". All my teammies passed me on the hill, too. And for a moment, I thought that maybe this was an ok pace because I'd catch the pack on the downhill and not be blown out. Ok, I never saw anyone again. Didn't work out that way (poor strategy). I managed to ride with a girl until we got pulled after the second lap (yea for riding 30 miles and twice the "Wall"). She had crashed herself early on before the climb.
The second lap was blazing hot... I ran through my water and had a difficult time getting a water feed... no one wanted to feed me since I was off the back. I finally discovered a bottle. Will have to scope the feed zone better next time. Apparently, the temperature had gotten to 98 degrees and over 110 on the pavement. It was humid and sweat poured off my brow. I unzipped my jersey wide open. The only thing worse would've had to be a cop marshaling the course in their hot black uniform, not being able to move out of the sun. No wonder they weren't smiling.
I watched and took photos of the women's finish and some of the men. The whole racing scene was big and exciting. Impossible to describe.
Before the men's race was over, I wandered about trying to find some food and cold drink (I was starving). It was Sunday, so not much was open. I found Starbucks and a cold frappuchino while running into someone who pointed me to some real food choices... the 12th St Market. It wasn't a long walk and inside it was air conditioned. There were so many choices from Philly Cheese Steaks and falafel to the crepes that I enjoyed. And, of course, there was candy, smoothies, and other treats. The only thing missing was someone to share the experience with. :(
I used my stair conditioning from Spain and climbed the stairs twice to our 18th level room. It didn't take much longer than the elevator because the elevator often had a long wait. 18 stories did feel much harder than the 6 I'd been climbing in Spain. Definite quad burner.
Cara and I drove the BMW up for the 8+ hour trip. We spent the night at her aunt's near Hershey, PA (go chocolate!).
We stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown Philly, just a couple blocks from the finish line of the race. We had an 18 story view of City Hall which I enjoyed one evening while talking with my Mom on the cell. Even at night, it was hot in Philly.
There is a 16 mile path that goes to Valley Forge. Only half of it is paved, however. It follows the river and under some historic bridges (such as the Columbia).
We pre-rode the race course as much as possible... the "Wall" on Levering Street and Lemon Hill. Is the "Wall" really 20%? I could believe that it is in one section. This hill was much longer and steeper than I had imagined, yet it was doable. The only problem is that I had only one speed up the hill which was the same speed on our pre-ride as on race day. Yes, the pack quickly pulled away from me during the race on this hill. Hmmm... maybe I should've been training on Kitchen's Branch this year instead of so much flat River Road. Even the hill on Dicks Creek would've been better training... the one I would avoid by turning around before reaching the hill on training rides.
Could I have stayed with the pack if I had trained more on hills (and not gone to Spain the week before)? Hmmm... not sure... these women were all bone and muscle... not an ounce of fat. Looked like men unless you looked close (did I register for the right event?). I'd have to lose some of this extra paddling to compete with that. Oh, and maybe not work full time nights, either. Ha ha. Race full time? Is there any other way? Who knows.
I actually enjoyed riding in a pack of 200 women for those first 7 miles. I played the game of jockeying for position to the front. Was successful until we started to climb... then my heart rate made a big leap from fairly comfortable to big effort. The pace seemed to pick up here, too, which sank my confidence going into the "Wall". All my teammies passed me on the hill, too. And for a moment, I thought that maybe this was an ok pace because I'd catch the pack on the downhill and not be blown out. Ok, I never saw anyone again. Didn't work out that way (poor strategy). I managed to ride with a girl until we got pulled after the second lap (yea for riding 30 miles and twice the "Wall"). She had crashed herself early on before the climb.
The second lap was blazing hot... I ran through my water and had a difficult time getting a water feed... no one wanted to feed me since I was off the back. I finally discovered a bottle. Will have to scope the feed zone better next time. Apparently, the temperature had gotten to 98 degrees and over 110 on the pavement. It was humid and sweat poured off my brow. I unzipped my jersey wide open. The only thing worse would've had to be a cop marshaling the course in their hot black uniform, not being able to move out of the sun. No wonder they weren't smiling.
I watched and took photos of the women's finish and some of the men. The whole racing scene was big and exciting. Impossible to describe.
Before the men's race was over, I wandered about trying to find some food and cold drink (I was starving). It was Sunday, so not much was open. I found Starbucks and a cold frappuchino while running into someone who pointed me to some real food choices... the 12th St Market. It wasn't a long walk and inside it was air conditioned. There were so many choices from Philly Cheese Steaks and falafel to the crepes that I enjoyed. And, of course, there was candy, smoothies, and other treats. The only thing missing was someone to share the experience with. :(
I used my stair conditioning from Spain and climbed the stairs twice to our 18th level room. It didn't take much longer than the elevator because the elevator often had a long wait. 18 stories did feel much harder than the 6 I'd been climbing in Spain. Definite quad burner.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Testing
How does this work?
I posted Athens report on my blog and don't see it.
I'm such a blog idiot.
I posted Athens report on my blog and don't see it.
I'm such a blog idiot.
Athens Twilight
I've been blog-lazy for some time now. I thought I must write about Athens so I remember my mistakes for next year. Maybe next year, I won't get pulled until I am at least halfway through the race!
Tony was great support at the race. He set up the two pop-up tents at turn two. We got there at around 4 pm to stake out our spot. We shared the corner with Aaron Rents Pro Cycling and a beer garden. We hung our BMW banners and set up our trainers. There were four of our team (BMW-Bianchi) racing in the Womens 1/2/3 race at 7:45 pm... myself, Cara McCauley, Christy Blakely, and Laura Wieslo.
Laura Bowles had given me a 30-45 minute warm-up on the trainer (and a one hour easy spin in early am) with some hard efforts. I should have taken notice when she started warming up more than an hour before our start time. I took the time to mean hop off the trainer at the last minute to be warm at the start...
Mistake #1 -- Getting to the pre-line late. That's right the line before the line on the backside of the course. I've done this race before, how come I didn't remember this line? Apparently, folks had started lining up here at 7:20. I had barely started my warm-up. So I pulled out at 7:35ish to find the entire pack ready.
They called up a few of the riders... Tina Mayolo-Pic was there. Melissa Sanborn from the West Coast. Laura Bowles, my coach, riding for Team Advil-Chapstick. The only time I saw these riders was at the gun and when I was taking photos (that's right) the last half of the race.
Mistake #2 -- Being too polite? In the back at the start. I was behind someone who couldn't get clipped in... I almost ran into her... but really it just blew me off the pack at the gun. I managed to get back on the back of the pack, but it strung out in the first lap and riders started to gap off early. I kept getting behind these gaps, and I just don't have the extra power to keep fighting this without getting completely steamed.
Mistake #3 -- Letting others do my work. I got behind this girl in pink and she gapped off, too. But she looked strong? So I thought I'd just let her work back up. Oh, no! She is letting it go! I was so steamed... I went around... tried to bridge... maintained the speed of the pack but no extra... finally, Cara came around me! Thanks for the pull. My naive self thought that with my teammies help and a pack of chasers we might get back on, or at least not get gobbled up and lapped by the field. Ha ha. We still did. For a moment I saw a flash of Laura Bowles. Then the pack. I can hang on ! Ok, I did for a bit... but I was so steamed from my time-trialing effort it didn't last. I dropped from the pack. Aw no! And the official did the gesture of slicing my neck off... PULLED! I hate that. 26 minutes with 22 laps to go... pulled. Ugh. How many times had I done this race and not finished? I wanted to do it again... I guess next year is my next chance. No instant gratification.
Apparently, Christy had gotten off to a great start... the photos show her in great position in the front! But the pace eventually steamed her, too. Next year, Christy! What a difference this race is from the regional ones we've done! Casey Gale... a new rider who has gotten so competitive so quickly... she was even seen leading the front break... how awe inspiring. She finished the race with the pack... I don't think she realizes what a great accomplishment just finishing this race is. Kudos to Casey.
At least I got to take some fun photos of my fellow racers... got some photos of Laura...easy to spot in her light blue. None of my own teammies were left, either. :( The crowds were thickly lining the course... wow! So exciting. Turns out some other photographer got my photo in my kit taking photos of my own race on the sidelines... and they are on the net... pretty embarrassing. I guess someone will get a laugh, anyway.
The rain held off the entire night, so it was SO much fun hanging out and watching the PRO Men. There were a couple of exciting crashes after turn 2. They managed to avoid crashing in the turn, however. :)
Teammies... I had so much fun hanging with you gals at the race. I love my team. We'll get it on next weekend! Love you gals!
Tony was great support at the race. He set up the two pop-up tents at turn two. We got there at around 4 pm to stake out our spot. We shared the corner with Aaron Rents Pro Cycling and a beer garden. We hung our BMW banners and set up our trainers. There were four of our team (BMW-Bianchi) racing in the Womens 1/2/3 race at 7:45 pm... myself, Cara McCauley, Christy Blakely, and Laura Wieslo.
Laura Bowles had given me a 30-45 minute warm-up on the trainer (and a one hour easy spin in early am) with some hard efforts. I should have taken notice when she started warming up more than an hour before our start time. I took the time to mean hop off the trainer at the last minute to be warm at the start...
Mistake #1 -- Getting to the pre-line late. That's right the line before the line on the backside of the course. I've done this race before, how come I didn't remember this line? Apparently, folks had started lining up here at 7:20. I had barely started my warm-up. So I pulled out at 7:35ish to find the entire pack ready.
They called up a few of the riders... Tina Mayolo-Pic was there. Melissa Sanborn from the West Coast. Laura Bowles, my coach, riding for Team Advil-Chapstick. The only time I saw these riders was at the gun and when I was taking photos (that's right) the last half of the race.
Mistake #2 -- Being too polite? In the back at the start. I was behind someone who couldn't get clipped in... I almost ran into her... but really it just blew me off the pack at the gun. I managed to get back on the back of the pack, but it strung out in the first lap and riders started to gap off early. I kept getting behind these gaps, and I just don't have the extra power to keep fighting this without getting completely steamed.
Mistake #3 -- Letting others do my work. I got behind this girl in pink and she gapped off, too. But she looked strong? So I thought I'd just let her work back up. Oh, no! She is letting it go! I was so steamed... I went around... tried to bridge... maintained the speed of the pack but no extra... finally, Cara came around me! Thanks for the pull. My naive self thought that with my teammies help and a pack of chasers we might get back on, or at least not get gobbled up and lapped by the field. Ha ha. We still did. For a moment I saw a flash of Laura Bowles. Then the pack. I can hang on ! Ok, I did for a bit... but I was so steamed from my time-trialing effort it didn't last. I dropped from the pack. Aw no! And the official did the gesture of slicing my neck off... PULLED! I hate that. 26 minutes with 22 laps to go... pulled. Ugh. How many times had I done this race and not finished? I wanted to do it again... I guess next year is my next chance. No instant gratification.
Apparently, Christy had gotten off to a great start... the photos show her in great position in the front! But the pace eventually steamed her, too. Next year, Christy! What a difference this race is from the regional ones we've done! Casey Gale... a new rider who has gotten so competitive so quickly... she was even seen leading the front break... how awe inspiring. She finished the race with the pack... I don't think she realizes what a great accomplishment just finishing this race is. Kudos to Casey.
At least I got to take some fun photos of my fellow racers... got some photos of Laura...easy to spot in her light blue. None of my own teammies were left, either. :( The crowds were thickly lining the course... wow! So exciting. Turns out some other photographer got my photo in my kit taking photos of my own race on the sidelines... and they are on the net... pretty embarrassing. I guess someone will get a laugh, anyway.
The rain held off the entire night, so it was SO much fun hanging out and watching the PRO Men. There were a couple of exciting crashes after turn 2. They managed to avoid crashing in the turn, however. :)
Teammies... I had so much fun hanging with you gals at the race. I love my team. We'll get it on next weekend! Love you gals!
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