The Weekend

As some of you may have noticed I was not at the Cam-Rock cyclocross race. Such a bummer as that is one of the classic cross races and on such a beautiful day I knew there would be a good turnout.

However, I was enjoying a find day at the Green Bay hospital with my mom instead. Luckily she was discharged late Saturday afternoon and seems to be doing well (or well for her). The thing with my mom though is that spending that much time with her can be challenging. It's just how she is. When her health is better she is sometimes a little easier to be around but my mother has never been an easy person. Right now she is experiencing extreme amounts of anxiety which doesn't help.

That leads me to Sunday. I have to admit that the last thing I wanted to do was go to a race . . . or go anywhere for that matter. However, Dave convinced me to go and it was no easy task so props to him for not giving up. The rain helped. I like to race in the rain and the opportunity doesn't always come along very often.

With my lack of motivation and our general lack of organization we didn't get to the race very early (a total change of pace for us). On arrival we had to quick register, change and get our bikes ready. Then it was off to warm up with Shannon. It was a disorganized warm up for me; not that I ever do a good warm up. At least I did something though. No pre-ride of the course but it was really the same as ever so it wasn't super necessary.

The start is anti-climactic as Rich just sort of tells us to roll off and go. I'm in the back immediately. I'm vaguely keeping pace with Shannon but the height of the first set of barriers totally throws me off and I'm gapped off the back as I fumble through. The second set of barriers goes better. Then through the long straight aways I slowly catch up to Shannon. Hit the hill climb and I'm gapped again. Down the big fast hill and all I can think about is John's crash last year. That is not making me fast!

Back around and to the first set of barriers again. No better. I feel super short and can't ever get a rhythm through those. Nice little group of people cheering (jeering?) though which always helps. Keep going as I can see Shannon just ahead and I do gain on her during the flat section. Suck up the hill again but feel better about the downhill and try to not think about crashing.

Like being covered in mud. Like sliding around in the mud. Just generally like mud. By the third lap you can feel the rear wheel drifting through some sections as the rain keeps coming down. I think I could ride around the course forever if they took out the hill. (Don't like hills! Like run-ups better than ride-ups maybe I should have gotten off).

At this point I can't get Five Finger Death Punch's Never Enough out of my head. Over and over. It's not making me go faster. It may actually be making me go slower.

"I'd rather hate you for everything you are Than ever love you for something you are not I'd rather you hate me for everything I am Than have you love me for something that I can't"

"It's never enough, it's never enough No matter what I say It's never enough, no it's never enough No matter who I try to be It's never enough, no it's never enough."

I can see Shannon pulling away from me but I can't seem to be motivated to do anything about it. I just keep riding around in the mud by myself. With no one behind me I'm totally unmotivated.

Eventually I start getting lapped by the master's guys and I see 2 laps to go. I figure 2 more times up the hill should be doable but at this point you have to get way over in the grass to get some traction. I'm thinking I would like a little less air pressure in my tires. A few master's going by but no Dave, no Dave, no Dave. Finally Dave goes by and it's clear he's not on a great day either as he's kinda far back.

Then Kristin goes by. Okay, so I've been lapped. How many others will go by? I probably should speed up. That lasts like one minute and then I'm just riding along again. It's only one more time up the hill. People cheering. Through the praire grass turns. Down the straight aways. I should ride in the grass but the mud is much more fun. At this point what does it matter. I can't even see Shannon any more. Get to the hill and Katie goes by. She looks strong. I make it up the hill and am happy to fly down the hill, brush the weeds on the sweeping corner. Up the little rise, down again, around the hair pin turn smoothly. Pretend to acclerate out of it so the people don't think I'm a total slacker. Get cheered for being in 3rd . . . take time to point out the error. Slowly over the last barriers as Russell reminds me I'm racing . . . barely though. Down and around to the straight stretch, last corner smooth and cruise in over the finish without having anyone else lap me.

Photo by Peloton-pix.com

Post-race - try to clean off mud, snap a few photos, shoot a bit of video, go home, clean bikes, clean clothes, eat, start cleaning house. Muddy races are fun but the post-event work is not my favorite. Luckily Dave did most all of the bike cleaning or my bike would be a lost cause!

And in the Capitol Velo Club's Lanterne Rouge competition:

Renee - 1

Michele - 1

Shannon - 0

Next up: I think I'll race in Prairie du Chien as I need to get some racing in and not just riding along!