Why does the weather hate me?

It seems that the weather has turned against me. The Fall had been so great with cold weather, rain and even some snow. I knew it was too good to be true as this weekend had "beautiful" weather. Yes, it was 50 degrees, sunny and dry at Washington Park on Sunday for the Halloween Cross Race. It was a little depressing. Looks dry for Estabrook as well.

What can I say about Washington Park? Last year this was by far my worst cross race ever. It wasn't even just the results but mentally this race cracked me. It may be the only cyclocross race where I really just wanted to stop. I really hated this race last year and the only redeeming quality was that I was racing in a costume. Luckily that made up for a lot.

Going into the race this year I was determined to not let my feelings about last year's race impact my race this year. I knew it would still be a tough race for me as nothing beats me down like long straight sections except maybe long straight sections that are paved. I like races that require skills -- and by that I mean the skills that I have and not the skills that others have. However, I really need to do more races like this if I'm going to improve as a cross racer so I went into the day with a determination to try.

I'm going to cut to the end and say that it was a better day for me than last year. I ended up last but at least I wasn't totally off the back of the group last.

Here are some race highlights:

• I got a good start and was rocking it out towards the front of the group right off the line.
• I was nicely mid pack on the first time up the run up. I do love the run up at Washington Park. For some reason that run up always treats me well. It seems to be just the right amount of steepness and length to be perfect for me.
• My first lap was decent but from the second lap I was struggling on the straight aways and having trouble holding wheels.
• I think the 2nd or so time up the run up I passed Sam K. as she was having some asthma troubles. Before long though I could see her gaining on me and I chanted over and over in my head to "keep going hard, keep going hard". Eventually she caught up and we went back and forth a bunch. Sam would pass me and then I would pass her and back and forth like that. Sam was really strong in the gradual uphills and we're very well matched in the corners. I had an advantage in the fast barriers and (to my suprise) in the run up.
• Right before we started our last lap to go Sam gave a good hard acceleration on the gradual uphill before the turns towards the amphitheater. I couldn't hold her wheel but I still thought I could claw my way back up to her. However, she had more in her than me heading through that paved section and it was too big a gap for me to close down on the run up.
• It was a good race for me but I really need to improve on the wide open sections. For all that I road ride a lot I totally ride like a stereotypical mountain biker. I can ride hard when the terrain or conditions dictates it but I'm not good at powering through the road sections and wide open grass sections.
• I'm also trying to work on mentally believing in my racing ability. I know that sometimes I just doubt myself and that in that split section of doubt the person gets away from me and closing a gap is so hard.

And what about all those great costumes this year? The hospital patient with (fake) bare butt, boy scout, gangster, gorilla, wonder women, ballerina, leopard, and so many more. Mine was a little lame as I didn't have much time to get anything together. Last year's Witch was way cooler than my Little Red Riding Hood this year but it was better than nothing. Next year I'm making a comeback in the costume contest! I love races with costumes and I really liked the extra touches that Velo Trocadero did this year such as the gravestones, the half bike in the tree, fallen rider and the kid's race with pinata.

I think costumes are great and it helps keep everyone from taking cross too seriously. Let's face it -- cross is a ridiculous activity. We're racing around a small loop in the mud and dirt, jumping on and off our bikes and carrying them over man made obstacles and all in the months of October, November and even December. That doesn't even make sense to most other bike racers. Racing in a costume is a way of celebrating that insanity!