This weekend's race at Sol Vista, MSC #6 Sol Survivor, turned out to be very successful for both Chris and me. It has been one long summer - mentally and emotionally - and getting back on the bike has proven to be good therapy.
Chris' sport race got off early at 8:00a. While we both haven't been riding much, the aim this weekend was to have FUN. Chris took the hole shot in the first 50 meters at the start of the race, charging up the hill with a big smile on his face! I laughed, knowing that he was already setting a good example of having fun, and no pressure. I stayed at the bottom of the course with the camera as he came through at the end of his first lap. While going around the grassy switchbacks, he was again playful, popping wheelies and grinning ear to ear!
At the end of his 16-mile race, he finished a respectable 6th place!
My race had a bit more serious tone, but I still told myself to take it easy and have fun. I got off to a good start, and felt surprisingly fresh during the first 2.5 mile climb. The hardest part was that nearly the entire 24-mile course was in the sun, and it was getting hot! I held a steady pace, and just concentrated on riding smart. While I was stuck in "no man's land" for most of the race, I descended like a rocket, and started to slowly catch some of the girls in my group. After I had passed 4 girls by the end of the 2nd lap, I was poised to charge hard on the last lap.
My last big climb was decent, but over the top I started to lose steam and feel whoozy. I had 6 more miles left and it was then that it became a race of attrition. I could feel the severe lack of endurance in my legs, as the longest ride I've done for the last 8 weeks has barely topped an hour. My legs were cramping bad... lactic acid and heat like I haven't felt in a long time! At the final water station I doused my helmet and back with water trying to cool down, and just focused on turning the pedals. I was definitely more conservative on the final descending section, as my vision was blurring and my body wavering in exhaustion. I had no idea how I would finish in my group, but my only thought in the last few miles was that I didn't want to get passed. I cruised down the last grassy slope to the finish, and while I didn't have the energy to pop a wheelie like Chris, I did cross the line with a smile, knowing that I had fun!
I found out soon after that I had pulled off 3rd place! I was shocked! I definitely had not even thought about placing that high, especially with no real training for 2 months. A podium finish was the icing on the cake!
The CoMotion team had a good showing this weekend and we still hold the top spot in the team race, with only 2 more races left in the season. I was glad that Chris and I decided to race this weekend. I was the second highest scorer on the team and Chris was the fourth highest! It was certainly painful, but in the end it was all about the FUN!!
Chris' sport race got off early at 8:00a. While we both haven't been riding much, the aim this weekend was to have FUN. Chris took the hole shot in the first 50 meters at the start of the race, charging up the hill with a big smile on his face! I laughed, knowing that he was already setting a good example of having fun, and no pressure. I stayed at the bottom of the course with the camera as he came through at the end of his first lap. While going around the grassy switchbacks, he was again playful, popping wheelies and grinning ear to ear!
At the end of his 16-mile race, he finished a respectable 6th place!
My race had a bit more serious tone, but I still told myself to take it easy and have fun. I got off to a good start, and felt surprisingly fresh during the first 2.5 mile climb. The hardest part was that nearly the entire 24-mile course was in the sun, and it was getting hot! I held a steady pace, and just concentrated on riding smart. While I was stuck in "no man's land" for most of the race, I descended like a rocket, and started to slowly catch some of the girls in my group. After I had passed 4 girls by the end of the 2nd lap, I was poised to charge hard on the last lap.
My last big climb was decent, but over the top I started to lose steam and feel whoozy. I had 6 more miles left and it was then that it became a race of attrition. I could feel the severe lack of endurance in my legs, as the longest ride I've done for the last 8 weeks has barely topped an hour. My legs were cramping bad... lactic acid and heat like I haven't felt in a long time! At the final water station I doused my helmet and back with water trying to cool down, and just focused on turning the pedals. I was definitely more conservative on the final descending section, as my vision was blurring and my body wavering in exhaustion. I had no idea how I would finish in my group, but my only thought in the last few miles was that I didn't want to get passed. I cruised down the last grassy slope to the finish, and while I didn't have the energy to pop a wheelie like Chris, I did cross the line with a smile, knowing that I had fun!
I found out soon after that I had pulled off 3rd place! I was shocked! I definitely had not even thought about placing that high, especially with no real training for 2 months. A podium finish was the icing on the cake!
The CoMotion team had a good showing this weekend and we still hold the top spot in the team race, with only 2 more races left in the season. I was glad that Chris and I decided to race this weekend. I was the second highest scorer on the team and Chris was the fourth highest! It was certainly painful, but in the end it was all about the FUN!!
3 comments:
Good show Meggie, the feline tenacity is showing through. We're glad to see you back.
MEOW!!!
Good finish out there Girl. Good seeing y'all
Post a Comment