| Course: |
core: 2x180 sec plank, 60 seconds to each side, 2x40 clam knee lifts to each side, 40 side lifts on each side, 30 ball passes, some twisters - 6 lb, some leg extensions
Pacific Raceways: flats (counter-clockwise) |
| Results: |
1st prime - 1st
2nd prime - pack
finish - 1st
official results |
| Comments: |
Okay... this was my first day back after our Hawaiian vacation and it was a bit of a shock to the system. :) All the core stuff went fine but spinning was HARD. I felt like (read: I most certainly was) gasping for air the whole time. In fact, I had to stop pedaling a few times (three I think) just to catch some air. I felt like I was super un-fit even though my strength felt all right.
At the race it was the same story. I could go hard for short amount of time and then I was sucking wind big time. But a little elaboration is necessary...
The weather sucked! On the drive down the rain started and it just kept getting stronger all the way to the race track. It eased up a tiny bit by the start but man, it looked grim. Matt H had on TWO raincoats.
For some reason I (along with Dave H and Matt H) missed the start... Either Rory decided to get this show the hell on the road or we did not know the start time. Anyway, the pack rolled out at about 6:45 instead of 7 like I thought they would. The three of us just rode down the track and hooked up with the bun after they completed half a lap.
God, I was positively drinking water sitting on wheels. And you know all that dragster tire adhesive and oil and who knows what other kinds of shit are on a race track were spraying in my mouth. Nice.
So after a bit (we all stayed together - for once there was no attack in the masters field!) we got the first prime bell. There was an acceleration as we bot close to the finishing straight and when this one guy jumped I noticed that Matt was sorta isolated so I jumped after him. Dave went with me. I managed to come around both of them in the saddle so that was nice but then I was practically wheezing. At my best I cold have just carried on. :( Hopefully this is just short-lived.
So it all came back together. Beth G went on a couple of attacks and lasted more than one full lap each time. The second time was about half a lap before we got the second prime bell and she was with another woman. We all kind sat up to let them sprint it out. Except for Michael P. With about 500 m to go he took off and hauled them in and beat them to the line. We all gave him a good ribbing from afar.
There were no other attacks after that but there was some confusion. We were dorking around so much that the cat 4 field caught us. Twice! After the first time Matt lifted the pace and we rolled right back past them but then with one lap to go - AFTER they had finished their race (they did not know they were done) - they passed us again as we were slowing down getting all 'tactical' and shit with one to go. Yes, it caused some confusion. Especially to this one guy in a STP jacket. [I know, I know... STP jacket in a race?]
He kind of latched on to the cat 4 field and they towed him a few hundred meters away from us before they found a clue and slowed down. By then he was way off the front. As we rounded the turn at the end of the drag strip Matt H got a rear flat. Not cool. But it opened a door for me.
I looked back, noticed there were no fast guys near me and accelerated as hard as I could. Dave H was also behind me so that probably helped a bit. As I went faster this guy off the front died hard and I caught him about 100 feet from the line. Nice.
Matt was pretty steamed about his flat but what are you going to do? I know it bites driving here, being rained on and then having your race cut short but two years ago it happened to me at the first THREE races. Not once, not twice, but three times in a row I flatted out. To his credit he did seem to get over it after a bit. :)
My hands were absolutely freezing when I finished. I think I lost feeling with about four laps to go and after I could not unzip my jersey and had to ask for help as I had no dexterity left. The field was about 25, not bad considering the conditions. But boy, there were a LOT of new masters racers there... Kinda sketchy. |
| Equipment: |
Ti Cycles Hyak, 39/53, 12-25, Zipp 404 wheels |