2 posts tagged “2009”
Merco Crit
Cat’s 3 and 4 women
Teammates: Cathy, Ashley, Mo, Bergen, Bev, Jamie,
Weather – overcast but dry
25 lap race.
Going in we had the idea that we would drill the first 3 laps – trying to make it safe for everyone. Then perhaps go for the second prime, or perhaps counter attack the second prime. There were lots of strong girls, Hopkins Honda, Sugar/CRM, Dolce, so we didn’t need to do all the work at the front. I split the race into 3 parts in my head – the beginning where I wanted to practice skills of only moving up through the pack, learning to do this safely and comfortably. Then I wanted to maintain around 15th wheel in the middle to observe who was up front. And the last 5, I wanted to make sure the mouse train got rolling and delivered me or another mouse to victory!
Just after finishing the first lap, I heard someone in front of me flat. I said “someone has a flat” – and saw it was me! I didn’t quite know how to get back to the pit – but you can get off and run back to the pit with a flat. Changed into a neutral (zipp) wheel and off again I went!
I feel that I did GREAT with my skills in the pack – my skills are so much better than before, thanks to working in the Early Birds, riding with the Cat 4 boys, and also I think the track fights helped! I fought and won most of the wheels I wanted, took GREAT corners and was complimented by others in the pack for getting the other ladies to take the corners wide and fast.
What I know we need to work on is finding each other in the pack and practice riding near each other in a sustained way… our communication broke down and with 5 to go, we all found our way to the front, thanks to Mo and Ashley for moving me up there! Somehow not everyone was there when we needed to be. A few more races and we’ll perfect that train, I believe it!
With 5 to go, we had two dolces, Bev, the winner, and one or two others up there. I sat on Bev’s wheel with 4 to go and we were being uncontested so far. 3 to go and I felt the pack was inching up on us. 2 to go and I asked the girls to step on the gas if they wanted to win. I was 3rd wheel feeling the pack breathing down my neck, expecting a surge at any minute. But with the technicality of the course, the first 5 of us would escape the chicane with speed and everyone else had to slow, which prevented an all out assault on us.. with the last lap I said “turn it on” and turn it on they did. As we rounded the last corner I kept thinking “wait for it…” and I waited too long. Bev led me out and narrowly missed first – I never came around her. A newbie mistake – obviously I’ve practiced sprint fitness, but not the actual ‘when to go’. Always more to learn!
Place 3 in the ¾, 2nd in the 3s.
First Race back - post arm surgery. Very happy with the fitness and tactics.
yea yea yea
I've been away from this blog thing. No excuses though. I'm just picking up where I left off, and moving forward (just like life and Cormac McCarthy's "The Road".
Everyone and their mother has this flu/cold/sinus infection thing right now. I'm staying home feeling rundown and hoping to kick this crap before it kicks me!
Which brings me back to my title - it's "go" time in Northern California cycling scene. Yes, it's February and that means time for the Tour of California. I cant wait! Hot Hot racing action - in what is forecasted to be another showery wintery February. The action starts on Saturday in Sacramento. Cant wait to watch!
This year - some Bay Area locals are again testing the Tour of CA action: read more here...
My first official race of the year was on January 4 - The Early Bird crit series. It was my first race after this whole elbow debacle, and it felt GREAT to be out racing again.
Training is ramping up, with my first official race at the end of this month. This year, four of my Cat 3 teammates and I hired a coach through Whole Athlete, and it's made all the difference in motivation for racing and training. We are having the time of our lives, commisserating together As Cat 3's we're riding 10-15 hours/week on top of our 40 hr/week jobs. Thats' committment for you!
More racing and hot hot action to come!
