Race #7: MABRA 'Cross Championships

How's it going everyone? First off...my apologies for getting this update out later than usual...I know my mom and dad look forward to reading about the races. But before that, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving...filled with lot's of turkey, pumpkin pie, and laughs with loved ones. I could not have asked for a better holiday weekend. Eryka and I traveled to Bethany Beach to meet up with my family. We all had a great time...everyone pitched in to help out with the dinner...my contribution was to keep everyone laughing and smiling...easy enough...most likely because I do not possess any real cooking talent! Thank you again to my family for an awesome holiday weekend!

The weather even cooperated allowing me to get in some nice road rides in before Sunday's race. Eryka and I headed back to MD Saturday afternoon so I could prepare and get ready for Sunday. Even got a chance to grab dinner with some of my close friends...Brent (in from Boston), Chris and his wife Kristen, and Ryan...we all hadn't seen each other in awhile and it was nice to catch up and laugh for a few hours together.

Went to sleep not feeling all that hot...achey...scratchey throat...not how you want to sleep the night before a race. I slammed some "Airborne" every 3 hours to try and cut the sickness off and crossed my fingers. So after a full night of tossing and turning, my brain began to ask itself "do you really need to race?" Answer? Hmmmm. Yes...I would be mad at myself if I didnt race...I dislike regret...push on...race.

Woke up...popped some "Airborne"...ate breakfast...loaded the car...and pushed off for Taneytown, MD...pronounced "Tawneytown" by the locals..."Taineytown" to anyone else. Eryka is awesome...if she wasn't there to keep my mind off my stomach and body aches I would have most likely called it and not raced...but she rules and told me to stick with it.

This race was the final of the MABRA 'cross series...the championship race for DE/MD/DC. The weather was perfect...bright and sunny...pretty chilly...little to no wind. Got my number...got dressed...then the stomach turned itself inside out...even before I got on the bike...so after a quick "stop"...I was out on the course getting my warm up on. The course was a neat set up...lots of tight off camber turns...a long climb...gravel road...a pine tree like slalom...a short steep "run up", that I rode during both warm up laps and figured that if I had room I could just punch it and ride it...uphill road finish. Got to the start late...usual...end of the grid for me.

After the whistle and the grid took off, I found myself literally at the END of the pack...I tried to keep myself under control and not blow out whatever cardio endurance that I stored up. Once we reached the long climb, I could see the front making a pretty significant gap on the back. So I decided to push a larger gear and see if I could hang on and find some dudes to roll with.

The short, steep "run up" was located near the end of the lap...with everyone bunched together, I knew I needed to dismount early and run the bike up. Now that all sounds well and good...the dirt was soft and my legs were a little jelly-like...the results you can see below...took a little spill...luckily Eryka was right there for the picture! HAHA! Too funny...

The laps drew on and I fell into a group of about 4 guys...one of which was on a fixed gear bike. Fixed gear, for those who do not know are bikes with one speed...zero brakes...and no coasting...you constantly peddle...your peddle cadence controls the speed of the bike...they are hardcore and a great training tool (and yes...I have been thinking of getting one). This guy was hammering climbs...out of the saddle every time. The steep "run up" was becoming my objective to hit while riding every lap...lap 2 I was 3/4 of the way up and spun out the rear tire...so I had to pop off and run the bike up...

The course was cool...I was feeling pretty solid...the legs were burning but I did not feel as if I was going to bonk or cramp...I just kept pushing and trying to pass people. One section of the course had us "round the bases" of a baseball field...

"and here's Glodek...rounding second...looking to stretch this into a triple..."

On laps 3, 4, and 5 I had enough room on the approaches to the "run up" that I was able to clean them and stay in the saddle...this was a real good thing...I could keep my tempo without having to spend to much energy in jumping off...running up...the remounting. In the pic below, you can see the guy on the fixed gear having a little trouble...I was able to lay the hammer down and pass him this lap...pretty cool advantage...


The barrier section was pretty interesting...the barriers were on a flat section...and were placed right after an S-turn...a right-left-right turn directly into the barriers...so you had to figure out whether or not to come at the barriers at an angle or head on. Plus they had a nice little dip in between the barriers...nice little addition...when I am moving I found that I can make it throught the 2 in 2 steps...with the little dip, I had to take an extra 1/2 step...amazing how much it threw off my cadence...

Final lap...I was with 4 guys and we had been pulling each other for the better part of the last 2 laps. I knew in the back of my mind that if we all clung together...and if we rounded the last corner together...some dudes would try and show their bike muscles and sprint it out. So my goal was this: stick with them and make a move on the final climb. No problem...made my move on the false flat climb...but slipped a little on the U-Turn and they caught me. We approached the steep "run up"...I slowed a little to give room because I was going to blast up the climb...2 dudes in front...one went for the climb and slipped...the other jumped off and ran...I cranked hard and blew past both...felt real good...put the bike in the "dog" and took off for the finish...the fight for 24th...was mine. Haha!

Done! My hands and feet were pretty numb from the course and the weather...so I sat on the trunk...

Do you want to get a picture by the Taneytown sign? "TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWNEY-TOWN"...."YEAH!"

Eryka Kahunanui...number 1 'cross photog...number 1 'cross supporter...number 1 chick in Taneytown...

I was super stoked on how the race went and totally glad I pushed and did the race. This was the 7th race of my 'cross season...feeling pleased with how the races are going. Each time I am learning something new for the next race.

There is 1 race left on my schedule...the Rockburn 'Cross Race on December 9th...I am still up in the air on whether or not I will race...let's say 50/50...I watched a World Cup race online the other day...in Dutch...had NO clue what they were saying...but the race stoked me out...tons of dutch people going nuts over racers...and they were racing in like 6 inches of sand at some parts!

We'll see...there is a UCI Race in Reston, VA...going to try and check out the elite race at 2:30...see how 'cross is really raced...on the elite level...should be sweet.

I hope this update finds everyone doing well and getting set for the Holiday Season! Time is flying by...

If you can, drop me a line...

...johnny

A Celebration, a Derby, & a Walk In The Park...

How's it going everyone? Things here in Rockville are going great...no complaints! Right now, I am sitting in my office, getting set for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. I am super excited for this break for a number of reasons: a chance to break away from the usual rountine and relax with my family down at Bethany Beach...Eryka is coming with me to help celebrate turkey day with my mom, dad, and sisters, Linda & Christine...and the MABRA Cyclocross Championship Race is on Sunday.

This past weekend was super busy...filled with parties, moving furniture, girls on rollerskates, and walk through old fort. Friday night found Eryka and I at my friend/co-worker's, Pat Skellchock's, wedding reception with the rest of the MLK PE/Health Department.

Skellchock and his bride rolled to Vegas over Labor Day weekend and tied the knot...so this was a post-wedding celebration. It was an awesome time...good food...good friends...and a ton of laughs...

It was super cool because Eryka finally got to meet all the people I work with on a day to day basis: Kennedy, Patterson, Skellchock, and Campbell. In turn they all got to meet the girl I've been talking about on a daily basis! Everyone hit it off...drinks were tipped back...jokes were cracked...and yours truly DD'ed for the night and made sure everyone got home safe.

Early Saturday morning I found myself driving up to Frederick to help my boy Kennedy and his family move to their new home. Everyone loves moving right? Right. But, he's a mate and I am always down to help a friend out.

Later that afternoon, I drove to Waldorf and picked Eryka up for our "Rollerderby Date"! That's right...Rollerderby. The sensation that swept nation in '70's and '80's. We took in the match at the Dulles SoccerPlex...the "November to Dismember" Match...consisted of the DC Rollergirls All-Star Team 'The Commanders in Briefs' taking on the Dutchland Derby All-Stars. We had great bleacher seats and were able to see all the action from above. The action was fast and furious...chicks with tattoos...throwing elbows...flying around the ring! It was sick! If you ever have the opportunity to see one of these matches, don't miss it...seriously...it is a blast. It is right up Eryka's alley...she is super interested and looking into trying out for a DC squad in January. And yes...we got t-shirts...they rule...

Sunday...the fun kept on coming in streams. Eryka and I took her puppies: Sarah and Bizzle out to Ft. Washington Park for some fun in the sun. The park is closed for the winter and we only saw a handful of people...so the puppies were able to run around and get some exercise. I had never been to the park before and was amazed about how much land there was to explore...the Fort sits right on the Potomac River...this enabled the girls to jump in for a quick swim in the cold water! The puppies did an awesome job...even though when I take their leashes, I am the one being walked! But they are so much fun to be around!

The trees and trails around the park provided sweet spots for pictures...doesn't she have a great smile?


The Sarah-Bean in a full on charge!...

The puppies and I...on the hunt...

Tomorrow Eryka and I are heading to Bethany Beach to meet up with my mom, dad, and sisters, Linda & Christine for the Thanksgiving Holiday Break...I can't wait...I have not been to the beach since Labor Day weekend...sweetness! We will be staying there until Saturday afternoon...then heading back to the Rockville area...Eryka will be picing up the puppies from the kennel and I will be getting the bike set for the race on Sunday. That's right...the MABRA Championship Race is on Sunday in Taneytown, MD. I made the decision a few days ago to skip out on my 10 year high school reunion and go to the race. I have put a lot of effort into this 'cross season and I want to see it through to the end.

That's about it...time to head out for the afternoon. I hope everyone is hanging in there for this short week.

Have a GREAT Thanksgiving! I know what I am thankful for...my family and my friends...

Talk to you soon...

...johnny

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

Race #5: Tacchino Ciclicross...

With Daylight Savings coming to an end, I was able to score an extra hour of sleep to get set for the Tacchino...which by the way is Italian for "Turkey". Eryka and I made our way to Leesburg, VA...the weather was in our favor...sunny skies...zero to no wind...get my number...got dressed and got on the bike and got started on the warmup...

With MABRA's new set up...the women's 3/4 race was pushed from 10 am to 9 am...this makes warming up on the course a no go...so I had to stick to the streets. Got to start grid a little later than usual...straight to the back for this guy...91 riders lined up to start...biggest grid yet. Around 2 minutes from the start and official notified me that my number was on the wrong side of my jersey...whoops. Got it fixed just in time for the whistle...boom...we're off...

The pack quickly split from the start...2 riders broke off...then a chase group of around 12...then me in the mix with about a dozen guys...the course was a cool set up...uphill barrier section...a technical up-down-up-down section dubbed "The Keyhole"...a long climb with some false flats...a quick downhill...all in all a fast course. Felt good off the start and tried to settle into a solid pace...


The pace was quick...I was feeling good on the barriers and keyhole...the climbs felt strong as well...but my cardio is hurting...and I could really feel it as the laps drew on...


Bell lap...final lap...was totally ready for the end of this race...I was sucking wind something fierce. On the final decent I put it into the big ring and put the hammer down...decent turns sharply into a short steep climb...you would have to time your down shift from the big ring just right to carry your speed up...got to the uphill and the bike wasn't shifting down...by the time it finally did I was 1/2 way up the hill trying...took one hard pedal stroke...PING...dropped the chain...

Carried the bike up the hill to look over the bike...pulled the chain off the bike...slung the bike over the shoulder and started running to the finish...

Things I do not want to do again: Finish a race by running my bike across the finish. It was harder than you would think. But the most important fact is that every race I am learning something new about the sport and how to race. Plus I am having a blast!

The week is looking busy at school and on the homefront...my mom returns from Switzerland on Thursday...second marking period just began at school and I have intramurals after school...plus the daylight is fading super quick.

Next race is on Sunday..."Race Pace" up in Sykesville, MD...supposed to be a SUPER fast course...with a pavement finish...cool. All in all, life is good...no complaints!

Hope all is well with everyone everywhere...drop me a line if you get the chance...

...johnny

Race #4: Wayne Scott Memorial 'Cross Race...

The first of 2 updates! Huge! I was able to get all the bikes into working order and get my shoes fixed in time for the weekend. So I decided to pull the trigger and sign up for the MABRA Races this weekend: The Wayne Scott Memorial and The Tacchino Ciclicross. I decided to make 2 different posts...one for each race. So enjoy the post and pics...don't forget to check the small vidclip Eryka made of me stomping through the sand!
Again...I am super thankful to have Eryka there for support and to take these awesome pictures and video. It is so rad of her to come out to these races (especially now in November with the temps starting to dip into beyond chilly) to cheer me on...all over the course! She is a trooper and is even starting to recognize racers from prior races...let the inside jokes begin! The 'Wayne Scott' race took place up in Fair Hill, MD...about 6 miles from Newark, DE...the course was set up on the Fair Hill Fairgrounds...mostly horse stables and showing areas...

The course was pretty long...mostly grass and gravel...a barrier section...2 natural barriers...a detour through a barn with a very low ceiling! But the coolest part of this race would have to be the sandtrap area...a horse arena...most likely for barrel running with ponies, etc...today was set up as a giant "S" curve through the sand...with a sharp left-hand-uphill-turn, your best bet was to dismount and start running...check the video...the sand was easily 4 inches deep at parts...

I had a solid start and settled into a good pace...after 3 laps they announced that there was around 3 more to go...we were hustling! The course by no means was short...fortunate for me I was in a small group of about 4 other riders...we all pushed each other pretty well...each person taking over duty to pull the group...

By the end of the second to last lap, our group dwindled to me and another rider...either the other riders got dropped or they pushed on. My goal was easy: Beat this guy. I kept on his wheel and made strong moves at the different barrier sections...the long legs are coming in handy! Tried to keep the hammer down for the last few turns...but I just wasnt in a strong enough gear...plus my legs were pretty much cooked...we made the last turn side by side...both popped out of the saddle...but he was in the right gear and took off...bummer!

All in all I have NOTHING to be disapointed about for the 'Wayne Scott' race...nothing. I figured the ultimate goal of racing is to have fun and that was the driving point: Have Fun! My bike stayed in one piece...my shoes were solid...my body stayed in one piece...I finshed with a smile and stoked for Tacchino the next day! Final result: 23rd out of 53 starters...solid effort.

Check this vidclip of me trugging through the sand...the cheesy Beyonce music was provided by the DJ at the race...