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Hey there!  Boy the end of the semester is fast approaching and since I found a thesis topic of study late, I’m scrambling to find time for it all!  Yikes!  Unfortunately I’ve had to back off quite a bit on blogging 🙁 but I’m hoping I can make it to graduation in May, or at least this summer at the latest and get some of my life back.  Juggling 2 jobs, class papers, thesis, wedding planning, cycling training and races, gym time and me time has been challenging and I’m thinking I need a mental and physical break soon.  I do have my second stage race to report, although the final results aren’t too great and I’m pretty disappointed in myself.  The weather didn’t want to cooperate that’s for sure, which made for an interesting weekend . . .  

I was feeling pretty good the start of the TT on Friday, still nervous for my second start, but good.  My start time was 2:58pm so I had plenty of time to work on school and get some substantial meals in.  The stage race was being held at Callville Bay which is about 45 minutes from our house and I wanted to make sure I got at least 45 minutes to warm up well.  From my first race experience, I wanted to make sure I had enough time to get the legs and lungs going.

The day was gorgeous, just a bit windy with sustained 20-30 mph winds.

Here are the guys warming up earlier in the day.

There are 6 girls total on the team, but there have been some sickness and family emergencies so I was the lone Fluid girl.

I was able to get a good 40 minutes in before I went to the bathroom, threw off all my warmers, and rolled up to the start line with a few minutes to spare.

I really liked this TT start because we didn’t have a ramp and the guy (thanks P.!) holding me actually had me straight which was wonderful!

Like this . . .

At the start of my bell I forgot I had my gears a little heavy so I quickly shifted down, ramped up to a good pace and shifted harder again.  I also told myself to start out strong but pace yourself, still have lots of climbing to do!

Go Go Go!

This TT course is very different compared to VOS a couple weeks ago.  While VOS was pretty much 14 miles of flat heaven, this one is about 10-12 minutes of nothing but climbing.

• Distance: about 4 miles
• Time: 12:01
• Place: 29 out of 40

I definitely placed a little better this time around!  Even though the winds were going crazy, the canyon going up the hill somehow gave us a pretty good tail wind which was glorious.  I felt pretty good about this one and ready for the next.  The back of my knee has been talking to me, but it wasn’t too bad.  After we got home and cleaned up, we headed for a pasta dinner with some of our friends.  Belly full of pasta = 🙂

I was feeling fairly confident until I saw the ever looming weather report still forcasting rain rain and more rain for the road race the next day :/  As I drove out to Callville, the rain started to pick up pretty good and by the time I got there it was more like a good pouring rain.  Immediately my confidence waned and I didn’t feel good at all.

I’m not very experienced riding in rain let alone racing in rain.  Riding and racing are two completely different terms that are so far from one another it’s not even funny.  Coupled with the fact that I am a scardy cat, was apprehensive of my knee holding up with the pace, and I didn’t have any other teammates, I just broke down and decided not to start.  I didn’t want to do it.  I didn’t feel comfortable or safe.  I didn’t know what to do.  I cried.  I was relieved.  I felt like a disappointment and a let-down.  I cried again.

I kept trying to talk myself into it, but couldn’t.  I ride because it is fun, challenging and enjoyable, and at this point I was miserable and not in the best state of mind which would have just made it worse.  While I let down my team, lost 2 mass start points for upgrade, and wasted 75 bucks for registration, I had to be ok with my decision.  It was my decision.

Here’s the start of another men’s group pretty close to when I was supposed to go.

Well, it is just a bike race.  You win some, you lose some, and others you don’t start, but in the end you have to enjoy what you are doing in that moment, learn from the experience, and work hard for the next.

In more positive news, the guy’s team killed it!!!!!  Team work really helped Chris to make a 13th place finish!  It makes such a difference to have a group working together, protecting each other from the wind, and pacing.  They also started earlier before the rain started coming down 😛  Way to go guys!!  Chris got 10th overall GC.

For me I’m going to try not to get myself down and be ok with my decision and try to ride in the rain more.  I also need to get one of those clear rain jackets that officials can see your number through!

Anyone try the new Chobani flavors?  I think they are a bit too sweet, since I really like tangy, bitter things, but the black cherry has to be my favorite!

I’m thinking tonight I will also have a glass of wine 😉

Any tough decisions you’ve made lately?  Or any fun weekend plans?