Two "Races of My Life" in Two Days

CX season started Sept 21 in Moorhead, MN. I forgot how much CX hurts. The hurt is exactly why I love it and want to do it more- I guess that's sort of sick. This weekend I drove to Madison, WI to race with the Big Girls (UCI race). I didn't have any expectations. Alex from VB was there for support and Kathy Sherwin (VB pro CXer) flew in from Utah to race. I knew I just had to "do my best." Since I became a veteran of racing with the big girls last year, I was pretty stoked and not too nervous for the race on Saturday. The heat and humidity were a major barrier for me, sweaty girl. After the whistle, I had a slow start, but caught on to the lead group of women right away. "Wow, I'm racing WITH the Big Girls." For the first 2 laps, I was racing with the big girls! Then I tried to bridge up to the next group. Hmm... body thought differently... panicked, I went into recovery mode. 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th...11th I slowly was passed. 11th. Bummer. I still won money, and I was still proud to have lasted 2 laps with the Big Girls.

Saturday night was early bed time at Tink's house. I'm pretty sure I was asleep by 9. Sunday I was feeling peppy and a little more nervous. I didn't want a repeat of Saturday. Sunday proved to be a very different day- Twenty degrees cooler for starters. I did my usual warm up with a few extra laps on the course to get the technical sections figured out. Off the line, I was in almost the same place as Saturday- near the front. I dropped my chain after the barriers which dropped me into 10th or so. Yikes! Lap 1 and I'm already hanging on to 10th place! I wasn't having any of that, so I picked my way through the riders and latched on to Kathy's wheel. She didn't seem comfortable in the corners (recovering from hand surgery makes it tough). I could barely hang on during the flat sections, but in every corner I was right on her wheel. Catherine from Trek was not far ahead, but Kathy wasn't making up the ground. Finally, with 3 to go, I went around Kathy to bridge the gap. I knew she'd follow and maybe she could pick up even more places. The closer. Catherine was caught. At the end of the lap Kathy attacked and gapped Catherine. I wanted to go super bad, but I knew that would just pull Catherine back up to Kathy. I don't usually have teammates, so I'm surprised I even remembered to stay back! For 2 laps, I just rode my bike. No, not leisurely sitting behind Catherine, I rode my bike as if that was the only thing I knew how to do. My brain was so oxygen deprived that if you asked me a basic question, like my name, I'm sure I couldn't answer it. I wanted to pass Catherine, but I was so maxxed out that I didn't even know how muster more effort. I crossed the line in 7th. What a day! The podium is only 2 spots away! UCI race goal now upgraded... formerly, just hang on.... presently, kick ass, take names, find the podium. Maybe I'm meant to do this.

Special thanks to the Rosch's for their hospitality and Alex for putting my with my dirty bikes.

The Post Script.
I hate I-94 between Mpls and Madison. What makes it worse is when you still can't handle solid food, and you're driving on I-94 between Mpls and Madison in the dark. My GI system is still recovering (its 4:30pm on Monday).