Goathead demise?

After the crazy rear tire blowout last week and the subsequent bike switch, I luckily managed to avert potential racing disaster before the race started today. The Boulder Series CX #3 commenced at Boulder Reservoir today, under sunny skies and mild temps. As I warmed-up on the course, I somehow managed to attract and collect both my front and rear tires full of nasty little goatheads. The course was dry and sandy - a perfect hatchery for goatheads. Since I've been running clinchers all season (and had not yet graduated to the snobbery of acquiring tubulars), my tires were goathead magnets and more flats were to be assured. To my relief though, my teammate Chris Butler stepped in and offered up his tubular wheelset, complete with Stan's and all. I was stoked and ready to go about my race worry-free!The race went nearly textbook perfect; a solid start, efficient technique over the barriers, a strong run up the big sandy hill, and light handling on the sandy beach stretches (which seemed to encompass nearly half the course). I actively worked to draft off people, and my efforts payed well, as I bridged my way from pack to pack throughout the race.Not to mention, the Yeti argyle socks were definitely good luck!I rode a smart and consistent race, taking advantage of my inate running ability and technical keeness, to gap people. Even I surprised myself when I finished 5th overall, and 1st in Cat 3!!! I never imagined I would be doing so well in my first year racing 'cross!
My victories would never come to fruition without the amazing support of my husband Chris! He is always at hand to support me in everyway possible! I also had the awesome support of my friends Stef and Jen, who were cheering the loudest and waving their handmade signs for me! Thanks so much!!Well tomorrow it's back to the saltmines at school, and I'll being daydreaming all week and planning for another victory in Cat 3 when I race the Boulder Cup next Sunday. After that, my ascention to Cat 2 will be confirmed.

The Switcheroo

I've realized in my short 'cross career this fall, that nothing should be a surprise, and there is nothing out of the ordinary during a 'cross race. In fact, it is rare that anything is ordinary! That is the very nature of 'cross - unpredictable. This Saturday's race did not disappoint in that aspect!
We traveled back to Xilinx in Longmont, the same venue as the rainy, muddy affair, one week ago. Today was met with blue skies, and unseasonably warm weather, with temps topping 80F. The course was changed up from last week, and included some longer sections, and the infamous sand volleyball court throw in for good measure.
It felt good warming up in warm weather, without all the struggling and shivering that plagued me last weekend. Apparently I am one of the leaders in the BCR (best cross racer) for the series, and I got sweet spot starting in the front row, in a big 66-person field. That's great news to me!! I got out fast and strong, but within 2 minutes of the race, I blew out my rear tire! It was going to be a loooooong way to the pits for a bike swap, and the only option was to hoof it for the next mile. As I was getting passed by hoards of people, my teammate Catherine came along and gave me her bike! I was astounded! There was still a chance and I was so grateful! So we pulled a little switcheroo, and I took off to catch up, while Cat made it to the pits for a bike change.
Little did I realize, her bike's set-up was Campy, and having never ridden those components before, I struggled for about a half lap frantically trying to shift the damn thing! Once I calmed down and stopped freaking out, the shifting came just fine. I settled in, and employed my only tactic available - start moving up. I gradually started picking people off again, and felt strong all the way through the race. I made up a ton of the time I had initially lost, and put in a demolishing surge just before the line, gapping one last girl!
It was great to finish so well for how crappy the race started out. I owe it all to the selflessness of Catherine! In a huge field of 66, I finished 14th overall, and 2nd in Cat 3. I was so close to a first win in Cat 3! Oh well... I am happy with my effort, especially with coming back from the brink of disaster.After the race, I cooled-down and then headed over to the Valmont bike park tent. I talked to Zach about the latest plans, and offered my $15 support by purchasing a t-shirt. Chris and I are planning to purchase a brick, which will be etched with our names and placed somewhere in the park when it is finished. It is an awesome project just getting underway, and we are in full support of positive directions like this for bikers! Check out Valmont Bike Park for more info, and to make your own donation.

Double Feature

I continued my weekend 'cross quest with a great race Sunday at Red Rocks Velo CX #1 race at Bear Creek Reservoir. The temps still hung right around the 40F mark, and a cold freezing fog enveloped the course. Despite the chilly air, the course was in great shape - buttery smooth, tacky singletrack, and no mud - which made for some fast laps.

While I treked out to the race alone, Chris was enjoying watching the Broncos game from his company's corporate box suite! Lucky husband of mine!! While I don't have the usual fantastic photos to document my race day, I still had a great race!

I got out fast and held my own through the first few laps, and then began to work my specialty - picking people off on the corners, descents, and barrier run-ups. Going into the last lap, I was in an adreneline-charged group of 3, and was frantically planning my one last move. I decided to go for it with a massive running sprint up the steep hill after hurdling 2 barriers. I reached the top, mounted the bike and put the hammer down, gapping the 2 girls by 30 meters! I was stoked to finish 6th overall, and 2nd in Cat 3!! Another superb race in the books!

Cyclocross reminds me so much of my college days running cross country, and I am regaining that true competitve fire that fuels my soul and drives me to do even better! After 4 consecutive weekends of racing, I'm definitely feeling stronger, and am loving the lung-searing, gut-wrenching pain even more! I am so addicted, and look forward to each weekend's race, just waiting to get my next endorphin high!!

Belguim, Colorado?

Today's 'cross race was reminiscent of the infamous Belgian weather that truly defines 'cross - rain, wind, and mud. We got it all at the Boulder Series #2 CX race at the Xilinx campus in Longmont. The misty blowing rain never quit throughout the day, and the course only got muddier.My mountain biking skills came in handy negotiating all the sucking, slippery mud, and when the going got tough, I just gritted my teeth and motored on.
Chris was on hand to take some great pictures, pass me water, and cheer the loudest!! I was excited to get my first call-up for the start, (being able to start in the front row), and got out fast. The drenched course was slow but challenging, with every slippery corner just waiting to take me out. I only fell once, and that was at the "big" mud pit on the first lap. Even with clogs of dirt in my eyes, I bounced right back up and clawed my way back into the fray.Each lap sucked the life from my legs a little more, but my Northwest upbringing and metal toughness in inclement weather prevailed, and I only got stronger as the race progressed.
In the end, I crossed the finish line thoroughly spent, and covered in mud from head to toe! We quickly packed up and headed home, as both of us were chilled to the bone.
I'm excited to finish 2nd in Cat 3 and 10th in the field overall! Gonna go slog through the mud and grit all over again tomorrow!!

Last weekend of freedom

My first clinical rotation has just ended... The last 6 weeks at University of Colorado Hospital Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion have been a great learning experience! I was really enjoying having a life again, especially free nights and weekends!! Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and it's back to grind at school on Monday.

I'm trying to pack as much in during this last weekend before the homework piles up and my free time becomes scarce again, and am planning back-to-back 'cross races Saturday and Sunday. Chris is fixing up my bike with some upgraded Ultegra shifters (since I broke the crappy 105's last weekend), a smaller 46-tooth big chain ring, (who specs a 'cross bike with a 50-tooth big ring??), and some barrel adjusters to make the shifting adjustments with ease. I'm excited to get out on the 'cross bike again, for the 4th weekend in a row! With the weather calling for cooler temps and possibly rain, it might actually seem like fall.

Frisco CX times 2

While our original intentions were of getting in one last long mountain bike ride this weekend and taking it easy, plans changed and we headed up the hill for two days of high-altitude 'cross in Frisco. The aspen trees were in their full golden splendor the entire weekend, making the landscape feel even more magical!I packed all my warm clothes, expecting anything from 60F and sunny, to 20F and snowing. The nasty weather managed to hang over the Eisenhower Tunnel both days, so we were treated to mild overcast days in the mid-40s.We also packed the trainer for warming up, and it proved to be a good decision when the wind picked up. Chris took a break from racing this weekend, but was there in every moment of the action, snapping photos, taking video, prepping my bike, cheering feverishly, handing me water, and giving me the most awesome support!!I previewed the course each day, riding 2 easy laps, and re-riding the tougher sections. Each day had a different course, and they both dealt out some unique terrain, with a mix of tough uphill sections on cement, bombing singletrack, sketchy flat turns, log barriers, and a steep run up a sandy hill. Not to mention racing at 9,000 ft, made for some lung-burning hypoxia.On Saturday, I was lined up right next to National Champion Katie Compton (Spike). When the gun went off, I was ahead of her for about 2 seconds before she was gone! Talk about intimidating!!I charged hard from the beginning to establish position, but probably should have ridden with a bit more caution, as I washed out twice on a loose, sandy corner, dropping my chain 4 times, and losing nearly 20 places. The rest of the race I played catch-up while riding tentatively. I was disappointed that I lost so much time in the beginning with those mistakes, but still finished a respectable 4th in Cat 3, and 17th overall.
Sunday's race was a slightly altered course, but just as taxing! My goal was to ride a smoother race, and minimize the types of mistakes that cost me places the day before. I was sporting the Yeti argyle socks just for extra good luck! The field was deep with talent again, and I got off to a solid start. I worked my way up the entire race, clearing the barriers cleanly, and taking the flat turns cautiously. On the last lap, I bridged up to three girls, put the hammer down and passed two. In the final 50 meters of the race, I cranked as hard as I could, and nipped the third girl right at the line, by a mere half-tire length!! I finished 3rd in Cat 3 and 11th overall!
I certainly had a lot of fun this weekend! It was great to see Gary, Oliver, and Bubba out there tearing it up, and then hearing their cheers! I'm continuing to learn a lot, especially technique, pacing, passing, and negotiating obstacles. I've still got some practice to do if I want to earn my first win!