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? :)