Cyclocross season is upon us!

In case you didn't already know, I love cyclocross. 

I started off the season racing at MFG's Cycle U Kick Off Cross at Big Finn Hill in Kirkland.  My brother came out to cheer me on, so I had to do well!  He FINALLY made it to a bike race, it only took a couple of years.  I am glad he was there to see what it is I do, and how I spend my spare time. 

The race started off hot (the temperature and the speed).  I had a pretty good start and by the first turn I was sitting third wheel.  I pretty much was there for most of the race.  My legs felt like death had taken over them and a ball of cotton was shoved into my mouth.  It was awful.  I guess a mountain bike ride up Chuckanut Mountain on Saturday was NOT the way to go into a race.  Oh well, I wanted it for training for Starcrossed.

With about 3 laps to go (maybe?) the women who was in front of me crashed and then flatted, so I was able to hold onto 2nd place for my first race of the season.  Not too shabby for having dead tired legs and a mouth full of cotton. 

This last weekend was a double header at Lake Sammamish State Park.  Starcrossed and the Rapha Focus GP where on Saturday and Sunday, two big races.  Starcrossed was my first UCI race and I was all sorts of nervous.  I had an awesome call up and made it into the 2nd row (of 4) and lined up behind pros (like Katerina Nash).  I didn't really feel I deserved to be in the field I was in, but I knew it was going to be a really good experience for me. 

Once the gun went off the race started, and it was FAST (at least to me it was...this is all relative to whom you are talking to), immediatly the race turned into one big line.   I thought to myself "this is what it's like to race with the big timers".  I was actually able to stay upright and on a wheel, when I looked back there was a gap behind me.  Within about half a lap the field was pretty spread apart, but I was able to hold onto Kari Studley's wheel (a northwest favorite and local lady hero).  I learned a lot by following her wheel, but as the race went on I couldn't hang in there!  She is so stinkin' strong!  The atmosphere at the race was spectacular, so many spectators out there cheering, totally incredible!  This race made me realize all the friends I have at the cross races.  It's heart warming hearing all these people cheer your name, and motivating you.  Sometimes when I am in pain and someone is telling me to work harder, I want to smack them, but it's actually quite motivating to be cheered/coached to.  I love you people!!!!

I finished the race in 12th place (out of 30) about 2.5 minutes back from the winner, whom I am sure wasn't going full gas like me and didn't think she was going to vomit 5 minutes after she finished racing.  Oh well, what a great experience, and who knows, maybe next year I can break the top 10. 

Sunday's race was very similar to Saturday's race, except for the start.  I learned a few things on Sunday.

#1) The cross race and skills on the 2nd day is far less smooth than the first day

#2) A good call up is really amazing

#3) I need to learn to balance on my bike at the start of the race

#4) I need to learn how to "race" against other people in the field, and chase them down, hold them off, and push push push

#5) I need to do some running track workouts along with running stairs (it's not one or the other anymore)

#6) I need to learn how to get faster

The Sand Pit/Run/Ride if you could

Race review:

I was literally the last women to be called in my field.  I had a positive mentality about it though.  The previous day I had a great call up so naturally I would get a bad one this day.  Also I didn't think a field of 30 would really matter, it can't be THAT hard to get through these women.

When I chose where to line up I decided I needed to pick wisely...who looked like they could clip in quickly and sprint.  Certainly NOT the women in their small chain ring, so I didn't line up behind them.  I lined up behind 4 women that looked strong and where already in their big chain rings.  When the official shot the gun I clipped in, stood up and sprinted...err tried to sprint but no one in front of me was moving, so I literally hit the girl in front of me.  I ran right into her wheel, I was so shocked, I had to unclip and WAIT for the ladies to actually start pedaling.  That's when I learned why people complain if they get a bad call up.  From the start I had to have been 10-15 seconds back from the leaders. 



It's a smile and not a grimace.  This sport CAN be fun.



 Within the first 1/4 of the first lap I was able to get past most of the women and by the 2nd sand section I was in about 13th place.  Within the next lap or so I caught the women in front of me and was sitting in 12th place, gaining on 11th.  I worked my butt off to catch 11th place, passed her on the last lap, got to the running sand section and she SPRINTED by me as she hit me with her bike.  I had to laugh as the spectators commented on her sprinting ability and how totally awesome it was.  I was trying to catch her through the turns on the last lap, then the last turn she wiped out, got up SOO fast, and her and I duked it out for 11th and 12th place.  She beat me by 1 second!  Another 12th place finish, not too shabby, I was pretty happy. 

I only hope that this early season success can continue on and I can only get stronger!  Considering I did a lot of beer drinking and beach louging and not a lot of bike riding in August, I hope that my skills, my strength, and my fitness can only improve from here!

All photos where taken by Deanna Loyd and posted on Patrick Means Flickr account.  Thanks guys!

Also I should leave you with this awesome video

 

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all I can do is pray.

Not too much to write about in the life of me.  The past month has been a little hectic, I don't think I have been home for one weekend yet, so every week has been trying to play catch up on the things that need to get done.  Chris and I are officially done going to weddings for at least 2 more months.  Every Friday/Saturday for the past 4 weekends was the same thing; shower, get ready, pack a bag, put the bikes on the car, and drive to a wedding, watch a ceremony, see some kisses, eat dinner, drink beer, and dance.  Always a good time, but I am so glad we get to take a break from it!

Last week my boss from the hospital called to let me know they where canceling the class I teach there, but only "for this go around" due to financial reasons (dumb).  Who knows if I will have a job at the hospital, so it's game time to start working on my resume and looking for another part time job.  I am sick of my income being below the poverty level.....sometimes I tell my dad I'm low class, he just likes to shake his head and tell me "im not".

Sunday I received a phone call from my brother, I always get worried when he calls, I get worried when he doesn't call.  After the 30 second small talk of how are you, what are you doing, his voice gets loud and happy and I hear him say "I'M COMING HOME"!!!!  I can't recall the last time I heard his voice with that type of inflexion.  It really was....different.  I have so many mixed emotions of him coming home.  Being down south working for the company he was at, was a safe haven, I knew he would be okay if he was there.  Then I get this phone call that he is coming back to where it all began, where his life could have ended.  Why wouldn't someone worry?  My intial reaction was "oh dear, my brother is going to be dead in 6 months".  How do you let something like that soak in?  How do you process knowing your older brother might not be alive in a few months. 

The doctors in California told him if he uses one more time he WILL die, his kidneys are not strong enough to tolerate an abusive substance in his body.  It's amazing to think he has been sober for a little over 1 year, especially after living in a high state for probably 8+ years.  I really hope it was enough to clear his head, to gain some mental strength, to realize he CAN over come an unhealthy addiction to drugs as long as he tries.

So here I am, in an even larger state of worry of the future of my brother.  I want to believe what he is saying, but like I told him the only way people can believe him is if he starts acting on his words.  Actions speak louder than words, all the people you hurt in your past, you need to rebuild that relationship with, you need to physically show them that YOU want to change.  All I can do is sit and pray that he makes the right decisions.