Cross Practice
It was nice to make a return to cross practice. I have to admit it still surprises me to roll up to Garner Park and see a huge crowd. It seems like just yesterday that there was maybe 10 of us practicing (insert melodramatic/nostalgic music here).
Anyway, I must say how much I love, love, love fall weather. It was probably in the low 50s and windy tonight but luckily the park is somewhat protected from the wind (the ride to the park was another matter). And when the sun went down it just makes the leaves that are changing colors glimmer. Did I mention that I love fall? Dave was laughing at the fact that he dressed warmer than I did. I would have loved to play hookie at work and go mountain biking as that is what weather like this is all about. (Instead I had the funniest day of bureaucracy that I have had since I started my new job).
At practice tonight we switched up the course again but with the temps a little cooler there were less other people out and about to watch out for as we raced around. And I'm hoping the little girls playing soccer went home and asked for a new bike and will be racing soon!
For me it was just nice to be out riding hard again. Of course, I'm bummed at the loss of fitness that seems to have struck but I appreciate being able to do more than a leisure pace (and yes, that was my fast pace tonight which I realize was not too fast). Of course on the ride to the park my calf started hurting which bummed me out but I stretched when I got there and that helped. I also took it easy on the barriers and skipped some although I tried to do more of them each lap. My calf really, really didn't like the uphill remount so I only did that one once.
My plan is to race Saturday and if my calf starts to hurt I will just pull out of the race but I want to start and see what happens. I want to try and get some fitness back so that I can race well by late November and December . . . and if that doesn't happen at least I have ski season to look forward to!
I suppose I should insert some race news now. Bagels Forever is officially on board again this year and I worked out the arrangements for picking them up (thanks Shannon!). There is the possibility of something sweet from True Temper being raffled off. Local race announcer extrordinaire, Ben Neff, will be heckling the crowd this year . . . but don't worry we can get back at him as he is probably going to race in the afternoon. The Sheila Moon stuff is on the way and the lovely items from A Stone's Throw are ready for pick-up on Friday. And don't worry we won't just be giving stuff to top finishers. There will be raffle prizes as well!
And don't forget about our great Saturday night cross fun . . . Cyclofile, Crosser Party at the Bike Loft with Jason and Corey. This weekend is going to be fun filled and all the details are on MadCross as usual. I'm already trying to figure out how I'm going to get all the photos uploaded and video edited before the next cross weekend.
And then I'd like to put in a plug for the WCA race in Janesville. I know for a fact that those guys are trying to put on a really great race. They are working on the course this weekend to get it completely dialed and they are looking to put the money from the entry fees back into the prize list. I've heard it may be the largest payout of any race in the series (of course, I threatened to sign a new sponsor tomorrow to make that challenge even harder). If enough of us show up then they can make that happen so don't let last year's snow keep you away (because the snow was super fun and what are the odds that there will be snow this year?).
Anyway, I must say how much I love, love, love fall weather. It was probably in the low 50s and windy tonight but luckily the park is somewhat protected from the wind (the ride to the park was another matter). And when the sun went down it just makes the leaves that are changing colors glimmer. Did I mention that I love fall? Dave was laughing at the fact that he dressed warmer than I did. I would have loved to play hookie at work and go mountain biking as that is what weather like this is all about. (Instead I had the funniest day of bureaucracy that I have had since I started my new job).
At practice tonight we switched up the course again but with the temps a little cooler there were less other people out and about to watch out for as we raced around. And I'm hoping the little girls playing soccer went home and asked for a new bike and will be racing soon!
For me it was just nice to be out riding hard again. Of course, I'm bummed at the loss of fitness that seems to have struck but I appreciate being able to do more than a leisure pace (and yes, that was my fast pace tonight which I realize was not too fast). Of course on the ride to the park my calf started hurting which bummed me out but I stretched when I got there and that helped. I also took it easy on the barriers and skipped some although I tried to do more of them each lap. My calf really, really didn't like the uphill remount so I only did that one once.
My plan is to race Saturday and if my calf starts to hurt I will just pull out of the race but I want to start and see what happens. I want to try and get some fitness back so that I can race well by late November and December . . . and if that doesn't happen at least I have ski season to look forward to!
I suppose I should insert some race news now. Bagels Forever is officially on board again this year and I worked out the arrangements for picking them up (thanks Shannon!). There is the possibility of something sweet from True Temper being raffled off. Local race announcer extrordinaire, Ben Neff, will be heckling the crowd this year . . . but don't worry we can get back at him as he is probably going to race in the afternoon. The Sheila Moon stuff is on the way and the lovely items from A Stone's Throw are ready for pick-up on Friday. And don't worry we won't just be giving stuff to top finishers. There will be raffle prizes as well!
And don't forget about our great Saturday night cross fun . . . Cyclofile, Crosser Party at the Bike Loft with Jason and Corey. This weekend is going to be fun filled and all the details are on MadCross as usual. I'm already trying to figure out how I'm going to get all the photos uploaded and video edited before the next cross weekend.
And then I'd like to put in a plug for the WCA race in Janesville. I know for a fact that those guys are trying to put on a really great race. They are working on the course this weekend to get it completely dialed and they are looking to put the money from the entry fees back into the prize list. I've heard it may be the largest payout of any race in the series (of course, I threatened to sign a new sponsor tomorrow to make that challenge even harder). If enough of us show up then they can make that happen so don't let last year's snow keep you away (because the snow was super fun and what are the odds that there will be snow this year?).
posted by MadCross at 10:20 PM
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