The Big W

This week has been a tired week for me.  I got home last Monday night from one of the most amazing weeks of racing with Vanderkitten in Wisconsin, and as soon as I stopped peddling for a day or so, my body said "oh yeah, remember the 11 races you did in a row? Take that Court!" Even my little easy hour rides had me feeling like lead.  So, I called the Dr.  He's not the kind of doctor you'd find in a hospital or ER, but man he'll help you stay out of those places for sure! His name is Alan Whitsett, and he's the body doc. So he squeezed me in for an early morning massage before work to flush all the crap out of my legs.  Immediately after they felt like they had more life in them, and I was a little more hopeful about Saturday.

I was going back and forth on racing Saturday given how craptastic I felt the whole week.  I also went to the gym and did core for 30 min, thinking that would be a nice idea - NO, I felt like I got hit by a train afterward.  I've decided I need to do the core thing a little more because 1. I shouldn't feel sore after a light 30 min of exercising that area of my body, 2. I'll look better in my pictures, and 3. I'll look better when people take pictures of me. ha! 

So after a pit stop at a gas station where I picked up two powerbars, a 4 pack of sugar free Red Bull and a pack of gum, I went to the race - If my coach is reading this, I'm sorry I didn't do the 20 min test you had planned - I just can't get enough of this racing thing... =)

It was a CCCX race put on by  Keith Defibrie and Rod, who have done nothing but great things for the local road, mountain and 'cross community in the Santa Cruz and Monterey area.  They are both kind of a big deal, and I'm stoked someone has taken race organization by the reins around here.

The circuit is pretty nice - good mix of terrain and of course - WIND - Bah! There was a pretty good turn out, which was nice to see.  Total i'd say there were 40 girls...only ten in the 1/2/3 group, which I think makes it a little harder..no where to hide! And, it's up to you and the 9 others to make it interesting which means a lot of work.  I was up for the challenge, and had a lot of fun covering attacks.  We formed a little break of 4 and spent a couple laps jockeying for position, making it hard through the start finish and then sitting up.  I was wondering if the girl attacking just wanted us to look fast as we blazed by the crowds, so I asked her that.  I don't think she liked me very much after that.  I thought it was a valid question because every time we passed through there it was game on, and I got excited! But then she'd sit up, and ruin all the fun when no one was there...that's racing for ya!

So, It was going to come down to the sprint.  I felt like I did a good job keeping my nose out of the wind this race, and wasn't going to let this one slip out of my hands.  We came around the last set of turns and I gassed it and as we passed the crowds they all started to cheer which made me go faster. And, this time I crossed that finish line first. What a good feeling.

It was a fun time out there, with great people and old friends.  Looking forward to the 4th of July crit on Monday!