Nittany CX 2016

Day 1

I knew that the course would be similar to previous years - it was just a matter of where the barriers were and how dusty the course would be.  I still arrived early to get in few laps before the first race.  Just as I expected, but the barriers were in the infamous "mud" area (note: it was not muddy).  I picked up my number, watched the little Belgium's race, and got ready for my race.


I'm starting to know who the ladies are in my group - we all hung out at the staging area, waiting for our call-ups.  I picked my spot and waited for the countdown.  I've always hated the "traffic light" starts at Nittany - but this year they said to start on the whistle.

Day 1 Master's field - photo by .S. Roberts
I heard the whistle blow and nailed my start.  I was third going into the first set of turns.  And then the leader went down on a turn I know well (I crashed on it a few years ago).  Somehow 2nd place and myself got around her without running over her.  I asked if she was ok and we continued on.  Shortly after, I moved into the lead.

I'm in the lead! Wait...I'm in the lead in the beginning of the race...and someone is on my wheel.  I could hear her breathing.  What do I do? In my previous years of racing, I usually was out there by myself.  I had no one threatening me or possibly to work with.  This was all new to me.  I tried to say "let's work together" but since I'm not a roadie, I wasn't sure how to do this.  Eventually I noticed she wasn't on my wheel and I kept pushing.

photo by S. Roberts
Pain face - photo by M. Greidus
I heard the bell for our last lap.  Halfway through our last lap, I looked over my shoulder.  And there it was - a train of women, all incredibly strong, getting closer to me.  I remember mustering "Fck...they're going to catch me".  I got caught on the last 1/2 of the lap, finishing 2nd.  Holy. That was a race indeed.


Day 2

Sprinkles on my drive to the race.  Would it stay dry for my race?  I got in two laps as soon as I arrived.  The log was there - and I considered riding it but I didn't want to take any chances during my race.  The air was heavy and felt damp.  I didn't really have any concerns about the course as it was reverse direction from Day 1.

We went to the staging area and one of the ladies mentioned "I feel rain drops".  As we waited for our countdown, the rain started.  This could be...interesting.  I was ok with wet and mud.  Well, maybe except the infamous "mud pit".  We were told to go on the traffic light - I stared at it.  It turned green and I stomped on my pedal.  I missed but kept pushing through the start.  I moved into 2nd place in the beginning of the race.
The calm before the storm - photo by S. Roberts
And stayed in 2nd.  There was a train of 3 of us.  The rain was coming down harder.  I couldn't see with my glasses and corners were starting to get greasy.  I finally tossed my glasses into the pit...ah I could see.  For the moment.

The last of the log - photo by B. Boyle
I'm not sure if it was the rain in my eyes or just the lack of oxygen, but somethings were a bit blurry.  I could see the leader in front of me and tried to stay on her wheel for as long as I could.  With her power and graceful cornering, I couldn't hold on.  I fell back with a gap between us.  And then I noticed there was a gap between myself and 3rd.  I knew if I raced clean and smart, I would safely finish 2nd.

When you hear your name as you approach the finish, you smile - photo by B. Boyle

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mountain Bike Camp 2020

Image
Looking for a fun camp for your kids this summer? Join us at Morristown-Beard Day Camp for mountain bike camp!  Morristown-Beard School , located in Morristown, New Jersey, offers weekly camp programs throughout the summer. Each morning, campers arrive at the campus where we head to various parks in our area. Our beginner week is for boys and girls ages 9 and up offers attentive instruction and a low camper-to-counselor ratio. Riders of all abilities will learn the basics of mountain biking and safety while making new friends and exploring great trails. Campers should have some experience riding a geared bicycle. We will introduce trail etiquette and bike maintenance and basic trail riding skills to the campers. We will be riding approximately 8-10 miles each day. This camp runs 6/29-7/3. Our regular camp weeks for boys and girls ages 10-14, will include riding approximately 10-15 miles each day at challenging off-road locations. The pace and activities will be based upon...
Read more

Hippo CX 2018

Image
Since I am friends with the guys at Pure Energy, I decided to add Hippo CX to my small list of races for 2018. I signed up to help support the ladies Pro/Cat 1/2 field even though I knew I'd be DFL. I also offered to help with set up and registration. Nothing like a full plate. And everything I've ever done to prep for a race in the past? Didn't happen. After helping set up the course Friday and not getting home until 11:30 only to get up at 5 am Saturday to return for registration...I wasn't in the mood to race (as probably expressed by my Medium face at registration). That morning I said "I'm not racing". As a matter of fact, I gave my pit bike away for the rest of the season. But a friend registered in our race because she said she saw my name. How can you not race? I worked registration until 30 minutes before my race. Quick changed and pinned my number. I rolled up to the start realizing I still had the car keys in my pocket. I rolled up already ...
Read more

Cured from Sleep Apnea?

Image
I posted a few weeks ago that I no longer needed my CPAP and would be donating to the local hospital.  Some of you reached out asking "how did you get rid of your sleep apnea??" Here's my story. I have no medical results that fully back this - other than allergy testing and my most recent sleep study.  Could it be coincidence? Possibly.  Will this work for others? Who knows - but this is what worked for me. Some background first.  I have a slew of food  allergies .  And until recently, I was suffering from sleep apnea. About 6 years ago, after two sleep studies, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and was put on a CPAP .  I hated wearing it - and I did not feel refreshed in the morning.  I was mostly wearing it so that my snoring didn't bother Lance.  I discussed my frustrations with my pulmonary doctor in August.  My nightly readings from the CPAP were not alarming and actually quite low. He had some ideas and ordered another sleep s...
Read more