Barrie Cyclocross

I went up to the Barrie Cyclocross race this past weekend. We headed up Saturday night, and stayed in a hotel. Went to the pool with the kids and enjoyed the evening. We were about 20 minutes from the course, so we arrived there with enough time to sign in, and warm-up. It was very cold - around 4-5 degrees and windy. I warmed up on the course- a flat course, with differing terrains, one hard off-camber, and one run-up (well for me, it was a run-up). I did a few laps warm-up, not feeling to great yet, but headed to the start line. Not a huge women's field, but a good women's field. We started, I got off to an okay start -- I was in a bit too big a gear, settled in around 4th or 5th... headed up to the barriers. The barriers were a bit of a disaster as there were 3 of us going over them at once. The rider ahead of me, came to a dead stop after the barriers to re-mount. I ended up continuing to run around her, and into the tape a bit to keep moving and re-mount my bike without losing the leaders. I remounted and caught up to 2nd place. I was feeling okay and getting used to the course, then the first place rider passed me. I wasn't sure, how she even got behind me but she made a bit of a wrong turn or something. Anyway, we all knew the course now, coming to the first offcamber turn, I didn't ride it too well and was passed. Came through the finish line, then closed the gap back up to second place. There was a group of 4 of us riding together for most of the race. Myself and one other rider were doing the work at the front. The last few laps, I was doing most of the work at the front. I was aware of this, and trying to play it smart with respect to that. Coming into the last lap, I thought I would try to push the pace and see if I could get a gap. I attacked through the barrier section and the power sections, got a small gap on the other riders and kept pushing the pace, yet riding the corners safe through the last lap. I ended up winning the master's womens race, and second overall for the women. Definitely happy with the day. After the race, warmed up in the car with the kids, cheered for my husband, got some hot beverages and hit the road home. We had a great weekend, although we were very sleep deprived due to the hotel with the kids- we are planning on going again next year.
Other notes of the week- CF clinic with the kids. A very long day, driving to Hamilton, getting prescriptions, see the team, waiting for the doctor, entertaining the children for 2.5 hours in a doctor's office.... Good news for my son, who is 4 and can now swallow his medications whole. He can swallow his enzymes before meals which is great, as we used to have to open them and sprinkle the capsule in applesauce. Being able to swallow 6 pills before meals is great!! I am proud of him.

The Week After ...

What a week after cyclcross nationals... I have been pretty tired, and with the time change definitely making training harder. I was thinking about ending my season a bit early, well I am glad I got a good ride in on Thursday and decided to race at Kissing Bridge Cyclocross race. I had raced this race last year, and won. I liked the course and it was similar this year. There was not as much mud this year, and the course was a bit different but not a whole lot. Anyway, I wasn't sure how I was feeling in warm-up riding the climb thinking ...uughhh. Got to the start line and lined up, I had a good start, took the whole shot and kept the pressure on from there. I felt good, and had a good rhythm of hard on the road section and the climb, recover on the downhill and the twisty stuff at the bottom. I opened up a gap on the women, and caught some of the masters men ahead of me and raced with them a bit, I would pass them on the climb, and then they would descend pretty fast to catch me. I was taking it easy on the downhill and there were a few potholes that I didn't want to hit, and wanted to ride smart and not crash taking a risk like that. I won for the women, I am happy about that. It is always nice to win a race.
The men's race was next, Nathan ended up with 2 flats, trips to the pit and coming from behind. He ended up 5th. I was running my bike over to the pit to get a rear wheel off, and thanks to the guys who were working the pits. It was a nice day and a good event.

Cyclocross Nationals

Saturday, November 6th was the Canadian Cyclocross Nationals. I raced at 9AM- masters women, the first race of the day. Let's just say that is very early. My husband's race was the last race of the day starting at 3:30pm ( I think). Not a great schedule for us, and with my son's hockey school Saturday morning as well, we decided to take 2 cars up to the event. I left really early around 5:30am, got to the race just after 7am. I don't think I have been this early yet this year, I got a great spot in the parking lot, and prepared for the race. I think I was the second car there, it was still dark and they were still taping the course. The thermometer on the car read 4 degrees. I was trying to figure out how many layers to wear, gloves, etc. I registered at 8AM, then headed out for warmup. They were still taping the course at 8:15, and I was told I was going the wrong way.... as that section wasn't taped yet. Trying not to worry about it, I rode the other sections of the course and tried to keep warm. I felt okay after the warm-up, and decided to keep the handwarmers in my gloves for the race-- as being able to brake is important for me. Got called up 2nd row to the start. Was ready to go, and the whistle went. I didn't have a great start, missed my pedal and then got going, difficult to move up on the start. I moved up a few spots and tried to move up across the barriers, I settled to my pace with some other riders around me. After the first lap, I was around 6th or 7th with 3rd place only being 10 seconds ahead. Anyway, I was riding well, and moved up to 5th place a one point. The long climb, I was running, which was okay as I was going the same speed as the riders around me. So of the riders were riding part way up the climb, then running. With 1.5 laps to go, I couldn't clip in at the top of the climb. I managed to clip in but lost some time that I had gained on the climb. With 2 riders close behind me, then after the barriers I couldn't clip in again. This time I was scrambling to get both feet in, down the hill with no feet clipped in.... this lead to a not so great uphill and having to stop for a second at the top. The two riders behind passed me, scrambling to try and clip in. I finally got clipped in and kept going. With the race being so early, there was still frost on the ground, and with running the big hill, alot of mud was stuck in my cleats. I finished the last lap of the race, so closely on 6th place but not able to catch back up. I finished 7th, I was happy with the race, a bit disappointed with my start and not being able to clip in- but those things happen especially in cross. After my race, I watched some of the other races had a bite to eat with my husband before his race. Then I went home to pick up the kids from my parents house. Nathan had a great race and finished 8th in elite.... WOW!!!

Kelso Cross and Hillbilly Hustle

A few weekends ago, I raced the Sunday race of the Kelso weekend. I couldn't make it up for the Saturday race due to activities with the kids. Got to the Kelso race.... it was mud, mud and mud. Did one lap warm-up on the course, then the rest of the road, as I didn't want to get my bike totally full of mud. Felt alright, nothing spectacular. Lined up at the start-line, good start, and first lap. I was riding with the leader, for the first lap. We started the climb up the hill on the second lap and rode through the grass section at the top. Rode into some of the mud sections, after the second climb. Going into one of the muddy sections, the leader crashed. I got around her and was leading until this tough 180 degree turn where I slid out. I was a bit slow getting going, as I realized that my seat was loose. 1st place and 2nd place rode by, and I was still trying to figure out what to do with my seat. I got back on my bike, and rode it for another lap. Then I decided to switch bikes, and use my spare bike. I got settled back in for the last lap, and finished in 3rd place. Got a 6 pack of beer for a prize....that is a good prize!!

Went to Hillbilly Hustle on October 31, went up the night before and stayed at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. It was nice to get away for a night, and go in the outdoor, heated pool and hot-tub. Got to the race, a bit late... only 20 minutes before my start. (not really sure how that happened, only one elevator working in the hotel didn't help that). I signed in to find out that I had new numbers issued to me...uggh, as I already had my numbers pinned on. I didn't ride the course, just went to the start line. It was snowing, and really muddy. My son was loving the snow, making snowballs, etc. Not sure what to think on the start line, started conservatively, as I didn't know where I was going, saw the riders ahead of me dismounting for the off-camber section and running. I dismounted and followed the riders ahead of me. Got settled in with 2 riders just ahead of me. I was gaining on the riders, then I slid out on a corner just past the start finish. I lost some time there, then I got back on my bike and kept going. I was slowly catching back up to the riders, and passed on of the riders in the running off-camber section. THen the next lap, I caught the next rider and passed her in the same section. With 1 lap to go, I just tried to ride clean and push it on the flat sections. I stayed ahead of those riders, and finished 2nd place in masters women. I was happy with the day, and enjoyed the weekend away.

Toronto UCI races

Well headed up to Toronto for the UCI races last weekend. Although, I decided to switch my license to masters from elite. So the masters women had a different race time from the elite women. I thought it is about time that I switched to masters, and with Nationals in Toronto I would like to race masters.
Arrived for Day 1 - during warmup, I felt good, loved the course...well most of the course... kindof worried if I would be able to ride this one steep climb, as I knew that would make a big difference in the race if I was able to ride it or not. We got called up to the line, not really sure how they decided the call up order. As it was different Saturday, and Sunday?? Didn't really matter with the field size, and I was front row. I was focusing on having a good start, and I did. Clipped in right away, and got the hole-shot. I rode well during the first section of the course, I managed to ride the steep hill I was worried about, riding the off-cambers turns okay, and the run-up...well that felt slow everytime. I settled into 2nd place. I managed to stay with 1st place through the first lap... she opened a small gap on me, which I managed to close up on the road/open grassy sections. I stayed in 2nd place for the next few laps. Coming through the finish line after completing 3 laps, we had the sign indicate 3 or 4 laps to go??!! In my head, I am thinking WTH... we have to go 6 or 7 laps...but then I have to calculate we will probably be lapped by the men, which it is hard to actually calculate in your head when you can barely breath... this usually happens at most of the races though. It just makes it a bit hard to focus when you are hoping not to 'blow-up' and lose a few spots. Anyway the last two laps of my race were good, 3rd place was gaining on me. I felt like I was at my limit, and hoping I didn't make a mistake soon as that would be enough to cost me. On the last lap, although I wasn't sure it was the last lap, I biked into a stake on one of the turns... I had to unclip to get by it. 3rd place passed me, and in trying not to panic... I got going again. I closed up the gap a bit, but was unable to catch her. I finished in 3rd place. I was happy with the race, even with the mistake an the end I felt strong and overall rode well.
On to Sunday's race, I was feeling the race in my legs from Saturday. Pre-rode the course, didn't like it as much as Saturday. 'The downhill chute' was making me nervous, I wanted to pre-ride it... but the ammouncers were calling us to the line, which added more pressure... so I didn't ride it in warmup, and hoped for the best in the race. Not the greatest race strategy though :). Got to the start and called up. We started, I had a good start and got the hold shot again, headed through the first off-camber section and got passed. I was with the lead group for a bit longer, and then kindof messed up a climb--was in too big a gear...and they opened up a gap. I managed to use up a few matches closing that gap. Also we climbed the hill to the down-hill chute, well I rode it fine. Just a bit slower, antoher small gap formed, that I was unable to close. I rode the remaining of the race with another local rider for 4th and 5th position. We were taking turns at the front, pushing the pace at different spots. I knew the climbing was catching up to me, and I had to unclip a few times on one of the turns... 4th place got a bit of a gap and I was forced to chase. I was maintaining the gap coming into the last lap, just before the start of the last lap- I got passed my the top junior racers who were finishing. I ended up finishing a lap down, and didn't have to ride the last lap. A bit of a surprise that I was finished, but glad that I was done. Ended up in 5th place... pretty good effort. Watched some my husband's races he didn't have a great weekend of racing- got crashed in front of on Saturday but finished 13th. Sunday crashed and DNFed... now he has a cold..uughh. Back training this week, and getting ready for this weekend of racing.

Turkey Cross

Headed up to Toronto yesterday a great day of cross racing. The 'turkey cross' race--this year the race was at a new park, so didn't know what to expect with the course. We were running a bit late in the morning, so that ate into my warm-up, and I only ended up doing like 1/2 lap before the race. Oh well, I figured I would get a good starting position, and start well but a bit conservative since I didn't know the course very well. I had a pretty good start, followed some wheels, moved up a bit. Got through the first few turns and the off-camber leading into the barriers. The leaders started to open up a bit of a gap through this section, and being behind a few other riders- we just ended up riding in a small group of 4 or so. We got to the big off-camber section, and the first ride through wasn't great... no one crashed but we lost alot of speed as we all unclipped a bit. Hit the fast downhill and the run-ups and was kindof getting used to the course. I wanted to move to the front of the group before the big off camber section, so I could lead through there. I made it past a few girls before there, but was second leading into that section. The rider leading crashed, and slid out... I managed to unclip and get around her and settle in to a good pace. I was riding well, hit a steak in the ground but that was it. I was racing my new kona major jake, this is my first race on it...I love it!! Anyway, one of the other riders caught me, and we were together for most of the race. I managed to get a small gap on the last 1.5 laps or so --on the big off-camber section (which I could actually ride pretty good by the end of the race). The first place M2 rider was passing us, then he slid out and I managed to get around him and got a bit of a gap. I kept the gap at 10 seconds or so for the rest of the race. I was happy with the race, and finished 3rd in Senior women. The rest of the day, I was at the playground with the kids and watched Nathan's race. Unfortunately, Nathan didn't have a great day, as he was in the pits twice in the first 3 laps of the race with rolled tubulars. I guess he hit a pretty big rut on the course for one of them. But he stuck it out, and kept racing and rode well- everything considered. The kids enjoyed the park, then we stopped and had a nice Thanksgiving meal with family. Wow, I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving, this fall is going fast.

The Weekend!

Very happy that the long weekend is finally here. I definitely can't wait for a good turkey dinner too. Last weekend was my first double race weekend for this cross season. I raced Saturday in Buffalo, at Romp in the Swamp. A nice race right in the university campus. I got there with enough time to get in a few warm-up laps, I enjoyed the course and started to feel a bit more confident on my bike again-- after the rolled-tubular the week before. Got to the start-line, a decent size women's field, I switched back to sidi shoes and my eggbeater pedals. I am happy already, I can clip in so much easier. I had a good start around 3rd wheel or so, rode the technical parts okay and settled in a small group with 3 or 4 riders. There were 2 riders off the front, and then my small group. After the second lap, we pushed the pace on the technical section, and we broke the group up. Then there were two riders- myself and another rider who were riding together for the rest of the race. We were riding well, and stayed together for the rest of the race. I figured, I would try and go for third. So after the long power section, I attacked with about 1/3 of a lap to go. I got a small gap, and was able to hold it through the final twists and turns and ended up with 3rd place. It was nice to have a good race, after the slow start to the season I have had.
Sunday, we headed up to Toronto for the Oktoberfest cyclocross race. I did a lap or so of the course for warm-up, still a but tired from the day before, and there was alot of running on Sunday.... well at least for me there was. After talking with my husband after his race, most of the elite men could ride half of the stuff I had to run....uggh. I made my way to the start line to see a big women's field, unfortunately I should have been there a bit earlier as I was starting near the back. We started, I don't remember much as it was up a big hill... I think I did okay, made up a few spots. Over the barriers, around a crashed rider, for the short climbs, not feeling too great on all the climbs but did okay. I settled in by the end of the first lap. I rode a few laps, with a few riders just ahead of me. I seemed to be riding a few parts, slower than they were, and expended alot of energy to catch up on the run-ups and flat sections. After a few laps, I lost contact with that group, and rode the rest of the race on my own. I started to ride some of the technical sections a bit better by the end, and felt like I was handling my bike a bit better. I ended up 4th in senior women overall. I was happy with the effort, and definitely got a good workout in!!!
This week has been crazy. Two sick kids, a trip to the CF clinic for them. 3 new medications for my son, and one for my daughter. A new schedule of trying to remember when to give the meds, extra masks, etc. My daughters first trip to the dentist, as she managed to chip her two front teeth...after only having them for like 5 months??!! I have been working a bit extra for the past few weeks, as my co-worker is on her honeymoon! But I have my new cross bike now together, and I have got on it 3 times this week. I am starting to love it!! I will have to get some pics of it.