BCA Cyclocross - what a day

Sunday 9/16 - I decided to stay local this weekend in lieu of making a big trip north to race the Nittany/Trexlertown races.   Staying local meant I could focus on continuing to increase my training load over the past week, pushing myself a bit into the Red Zone, and ultimately saving myself about 5 hours of drive time.

In addition, I have two really big weekend races coming up soon:

1)  Charm City (Druid Hill, Baltimore) races Sat and Sun 9/22 and 9/23 and then I'm heading

2)  North to the biggest race in the NE, Gloucester Mass. 

Both of these races are two day races.   Both of these races will have stacked women's fields attracting professionals from Europe as well as best stateside.   Both of these races will DEMAND my all.

So I stayed local...

Well, I decided to make a large fitness deposit yesterday.   My decision:

1)  race the Men's "B" race (35/45+ age group 3/4 category) at 10:45A

2)  then wait three hours and race my race (the Women Elite 1/2) at 1:45P.

Lining up with the men is quite an adventure.  There are many rows of racers at the starting grip.  8 men (and um woman!) per row.   About 6-7 rows deep at this race, about 50 riders.   Large starting group for me compared to the woman's races...

Anyway, I was in the 4th grid.   Whistle blew and you have 50 men charging ahead on the road none of whom will give an inch of space.   This is a men's race - full testosterone "battling" for their position on to the grass.   I held my position more/less and didn't hit the deck.  Goal 1, success.  I'm upright.

Heading into the first corners it bunched up quickly but I held my ground.   1/4 the way in over the first barriers, men were down "yard sale" style in front of the barriers.  I learned A LOT about quick, smart maneuvering and navigated around the cluster.    Another 400m or so and there was 2nd yard sale....and then a 3rd.....and then a few made some really "dumb passes" cutting me off and 2 guys wreck baddddddddd in front of me down a wicked fast downhill chute, 1 on left, 1 on right --- which left me the middle clear and passable, fortunately.

Needless to say I learned a lot and my “inner Sailor” had a few words with the boys during the race…

1)  Men are animals, ha, I already knew that

2)  They are wicked tough on the course and they do not go easy on women in the race

3)  They get really P!ssed when they get chick'd by a small woman like me....and they will fight hard core, Including a bit of elbows and pushing you into the tape, to reclaim their positions...

4)  I can hold my own with 'em!

I finished 29th in the men field outsprinting a chick'd boy who was desperately trying to get me on the line.   Thank-you Mr. Man, you helped me Sprint like a maniac to the line, getting 29th (over your 30th) by out 12".

 

Anyway,  I rested and attempted recovery in prep for my race at 1:45P.

Best part of that race, I got the hole shot off the line.  Meaning, I led.   Made me a bit nervous honestly as my legs were whimpering from the men's race and the pace, my pace, out of the gate was hard.    Needless to say I had a decision to make about 1/3 of the way in:

1) Burn all my matches (empty my tank) to  attempt to hold the race leader pack or

2) HOLD and ride clean ensuring I finish the race and not completely fall off.

I chose 2 and apparently decision 2 was a good one, I held and achieved 5th place, good enough for a podium.

 

Yeah, I love this sport.  I love the pain and what you can overcome.

I love what I learn about myself when I think I have nothing left.

But I think the best part was the support I felt off the race course in between races.   There is something magical about the cyclocross community.   And I'm always feeling grateful I have both my health and the means to continue to race and play in the dirt and grass.  


And I had my Mom there cheering.  She seemed to know most everyone by the end of the race day.  Seemed she recruited more "cheer support" for me as the day went on.   Loved having here there.   Loved how she also coordinated her "pink" for the day.  it was the breast cancer awareness ride after all.  Thanks Mom.

Thanks for the support everyone.