Race #6: Race Pace 'Cross Race...

Alright, alright, alright...I am hoping this new post finds everyone doing well...hanging in there...staying positive...relaxing...taking a break...enjoying life. The week went by real quick...my mom came home from her journey in Switzerland...picked her up at the airport on Thursday...she was jet-lagged, but full of energy to talk about her amazing time with my sister and her family. I was able to get on the roadie during the week! I was stoked...even though the temps and weather were not cooperating too much...I threw the roadie on the trainer on and spun in out in my bathroom...it is a pretty funny sight...I will have to have Christine take a pic of the debacle that is me riding a stationary bike in a bathroom. Headed outdoors for a light spin before Sunday's race...it was pretty cold...didn't think and went out riding without the leg warmers and gloves...paid the price with numb knees and knuckles...brrr.

Got up early on Sunday and headed out towards Sykesville, MD...a little town west of Baltimore...not a bad little drive. The sun was out and the breeze was minimal...so it was acutally a really nice morning. Due to the Women's 3/4 race going off at 9...I would not be able to get on the course until after their race...so I used the brain and brought the stationary trainer to get my warm up on...

After the stationary warm up...the course was opened for a little before my race...so I was able to get a real quick lap in before the start...it is always nice getting to pre-ride the course so you have some idea of what to expect during the race. But once again...a slow warmup lap got me stuck in the back of the pack for the start...

I had a strong start and was able to work my way through the sides of the pack during the first lap. The course was pretty straight forward...tons of grass...a little pavement trails...a steep climb...off camber decents...more grass...more pavement...a technical off camber area...100 meter pavement finish...that's it...no barriers, in which I thought was a little strange. Through the wide open layout of the course I could see the lead pack the entire time...so I was able to settle into a group of 5 riders and start working...

Just like last week, either the riders I was with took off and tried to close the gap on the leaders or the bonked and dropped off...about 1/2 way through the race I found myself with little or no one around me...but I could still see the lead pack and in turn could see any riders closing in on me...pretty nice...



With 3 laps to go I was completely alone...heart rate was peaking and my legs were screaming everytime I went up the steep climb...but I was in a solid pace...plus I was putting a little time in between myself and riders behind me...my goal was to finish strong...Eryka even gave me an update letting me know I was around 14th place...14th?...stoked!

On the bell lap I got a few encouraging words from a fellow teammate, Rob, who rides in the Men's B races (CAT 3)...smashed the last climb out of the saddle...put the chain into the "dog" and really worked the flat sections...the 100 meter pavement finish...no problem...Eryka even got a nice picture of me finishing...trust me...I am making a "not-so-cool-bike-race" face...if you really want to see it, email me and I'll hook you up...

You may even notice my cool new racing accessory: a cycling cap...yes, I have entered a WHOLE new realm of bike dork: wearing a cycling cap under my helmet. When in Rome, right? It is funny because I could not find one for the life of me in Switzerland and I found this one the night before the race at an REI!

Checked the official results this morning from MABRA and saw that I finished 13th overall out of 54 racers. Totally stoked! Highest 'cross finish of the season!

I was lucky again to have Eyrka at the race...we are even able to give out some nicknames to some racers and fans we see week after week...she is becoming quite the racing photog...even getting pointers from other spectators! HAHA! It is way easy to warm up and cool down after the race when you have someone to keep your spirits up and make you laugh...she's awesome...

Right now, it looks like I will be on a little racing hiatus...due to personal life commitments, race locations, holidays, etc...if I had to end the season today I would be super pleased with how well it went and how much I learned. There are 2 or 3 more races that I think I can make: MABRA 'Cross Championships, Capital 'Cross Classic, and the Rockburn 'Cross...that would take me to about Mid-December...talk about cold? Sheesh.

I hope everyone is enjoying this blog...it has been cool to be able to reflect on the weekend and all that goes into it...thank you for taking the time in reading.

Have a great week! Keep smiling...

...johnny