Breast Cancer Awareness Cyclocross - 10/02/2010

The week leading up to the race... was my first official week with Coach Rodger and a personalized coaching plan.  After being beat in the straight-away's at Ed Sander's (my second race ever) and losing my 5th place in the last lap, Rodger suggested specific focal points for this week's training.  1-smooth spinning and 2-strong, powerful efforts of pain.

Race day... was a beautiful fall day.  We had torrential downpour's thursday and friday which left the course saturated in multiple spots.  The mud was thick, wet and gooey.   I watched racers manuever through the mud and knew those pits would be a technical challenge.

I pre-rode the course twice - my goal was to take the course in.   Look for good pass areas.  Look for the best lines and identifying alternates.   It was a mental exercise more than a physical.

Pre-race warm-up...  this week I backed off.   After I hit the wall in the last two laps at last week's race,  I knew I wanted to save my push for the race itself.   My focus was similar to my training week:   ride smart,  ride smooth,  conserve energy where I could,  ride smart,  ride smooth.

I rode up to the starting line feeling focused and ready to race.

The race...   The Elite women at 1:45, the Cat3's 30 seconds later, and then my Cat4 30 seconds after the 3's.  I was 3rd off the line and followed closely behind Angela who overtook me at last week's race.   The prologue quickly turned left onto grass and two turns later we were riding in the first major mud pit.  I took the inside line and rode smooth through the mud and up the hill.   Being out in front and clearing that mud put me good position that I kept for the remainder of the race.

Pic taken by Tracy Pafel

The course traversed through a few turns and straight away's ... but my breakthrough's were in the gnarly, nasty mud sections.   I passed multiple Cat3 women on the course.   It was primarily a race between Angela and me for the rest of the race.   I was on her tire most of the race ... we were trading places more frequently on the second half of the race.   But this time,  the gap didn't broaden.

And, the cheers absolutely were awesome to hear...  my Mom, dressed in all pink to commemorate breast cancer survivors, was ringing her cow bell and screaming cheers.   I heard:  "chase that pirate, get on it, get on it..."    Does Mom know what the heck she is saying?  ...it didn't matter,  it was great to hear the words of encouragement and excitement.   Tracy scoped out another great place to take pictures of riders being swallowed by the mud pool.   Nothing like having nanosecond by nanosecond speed shots of mud engulfing the bike...

On the last lap, Angela flatted and forewent the pit to keep racing.   I learned a big lesson from watching that move... (although, without a pit bike or extra tires...I'd have no choice) ... better to pit and make up the time...

I had a solid lead into the end of the race.    I crossed the pink line with a huge smile, covered head to toe with thick brown mud.   It was my first 1st place in Cyclocross.   So cool.  

My prize:  a case of Amber Ale.   I love cyclocross!Afterthoughts...  grateful I can participate in the sport.  Grateful for the support of my family.   Bonding over CX.  Feeling the glory of a win.   Wanting to win again.   And knowing that soon enough, I'll be moving up a class and chasing faster women.  Bring it on.