FIrst things first. The good. My foot is feeling much better. After icing, ibuprofin and Super feet, I feel much better. I did some hard rides this week, and am feeling pretty good.
This was crit weekend. I started off with the Co-motion Crit in Eugene on Saturday. It was all women racing together. We started out, and I was right behind Lisa’s wheel. Coming around the corner on the first lap, she attacked and I followed. Then some poplollies counter-attacked and we chased and pulled them back in. This was the scenario for about the first 4-5 laps. Then Jill (one of the poplollies attacked) after her teammate was on the front (which meant Lisa and I were still fresh), and we grabbed on her wheel and we were off. Before we knew it, the break stuck and we were slowly pulling away. It was hard, but it was a good feeling knowing that I was with two of the strongest girls there, and that we would almost definately make the break stick. At one point I was totally redlined and knew my heart rate was way passed my LT, but I just sat out one pull and recovered and was on my way.
it was a lot of fun working with Lisa and Jill. We ended up almost lapping the field. Well, we could have, but decided that since there was only 2 laps left, we might as well rest for the sprint (which we knew would probably come down to Lisa kicking our butts). So, the last lap, we amped it up, and Lisa took off around the corner. Jill followed her, and what do ya know…a girl that we were lapping right before the corner started sprinting also, so she completely cut me off. I had to swing clear wide and almost ran into the curb. I was able to save my line and finish the sprint by myself, a few seconds back from Lisa and JIll. I was sort of disappointed because I really wanted to try sprinting with those girls. Next time, I guess. That other girl needs to learn, though, that if you are being lapped, especially on the last lap…PAY ATTENTION and GET OUT DA WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve never been more frustrated. (well, maybe once or twice) – anyway, you get my drift. So, I finished 3rd! It was hard and fun.
The Bad: Vancouver Crit. We started out, and I was right up front. We came around the last corner before the start/finish line and I had a horrible line, and once again, almost ran into the curb. (We didn’t have a chance to ride the course beforehand). Anyway, at the same time, my bottle cage came loose and it was rattling – but I didn’t know it was my bottle cage at the time. It sounded like it was coming from my wheel and might possibly be a loose skewer or something. So, as I am looking down at my wheel, I loose about 12 positions. I chase to catch up for the next 3 laps around that stupid corner. I would catch up on the back part, and loose my position again around that stupid corner. I ended up getting shelled and finishing the race with a group of six of us. I got 2nd in that sprint. It didn’t really matter – but oh well. It was a frustrating experience because I know that I am as strong as any of the other 3’s that finished in the top 5. I eventually figured out the line on the corner – and it was smooth sailing from there.
I’m also frustrated because at first they told me I got 3rd place! Yay! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! THey mis scored – then I was thinking I got 5th because of the people they didn’t count in the first time. Yay! Still a couple points for me…NOT! I get online tonight and look at results – 12th place! GRRRRRRR So, overall out of everyone I got 18th and out of the 3/4s I got 12th. 38 riders – so not bad, but still.
This week is going to entail some hard training and even harder racing. I’m ready to kick some ass!
Bring it on.
OH yeah, the ugly: I was riding around after the crit – I was on the sidewalk and turned to ride around these bushes – and lo and behold, there was a guy on his trainer right in the middle of the sidewalk! I went to hop over the curb thing, and lo and behold, a HUGE tree root that stopped me in my tracks. I toppled over into the guy and his trainer and not only scuffed my elbow, but BURNED it on the roller part of the trainer. damn, that’s ugly.
