Race Report: The Great Forest Park Bike Race 2012

This is the least technical course we see all year. It's almost completely flat and only has two real turns in it.  The weather wasn't nearly as pretty today, the sun was hidden and there was a nice little wind.  Amy and I did some efforts in the park and I spun around a bit more until race time. Today our field was 16 deep, a few different faces from yesterday.  I felt really, really good when we went to the line.  When the whistle blew I merged to about third wheel in the pack.  We formed up quickly and had a moderate pace on the back side.  Towards the end of that stretch, I took a little jump to see what would happen.  Caught immediately.  We went around two more times with some small attacks coming.  

In the mix.  Photo credit: Tony Lowther

Lap three right after the start finish I decided to really try.  I was sitting third wheel and had a clear line so I jumped...into the wind. I'm guessing I wasn't geared heavy enough because within a few pedal strokes I lifted my rear wheel off the ground. I sat down and kept pushing.  Chris, Pam and Ashely were with me.  Pam tried to organize us to get the break to stick, but no such luck. We were reeled in by the time we got back to the start/finish. About 18 minutes in we got the first prime.  We slowed way down and I positioned myself near the front again.  I had no real interest in it, but knew Carrie was entirely capable of taking it and staying away.  We turned the last corner and the pace ramped up but no one jumped until about 100 meters out.  Carrie and Ashley took off. I stayed with them but didn't even attempt to match their sprint.  We came back together on the back side and went around again.  Teresa pulled up alongside of me and I asked her how she was feeling.  She said she felt good and I told her I did too.  I nodded at her and jumped.  This time I had the right gear and got off and away.  No one was with me, which was good and bad.  I was adding ground until I hit the wind. It was there I needed someone to trade pulls with.  I got pulled back in at about the spot where I originally jumped.  Within two laps we had another prime bell.  It set up much the same as the first until the very end.  There were about four girls sprinting it out.  For a quick minute I thought they were going to get away, so I pushed and worked to bridge up to them.  By the time we were crossing the bridge they had let up though.  

Team work! Photo credit: Tony Lowther

From there until one to go we would have a couple of attacks attempted every lap, each eventually pulled back.  On the bell lap I was sitting in a poor position, I was about third wheel, but in the center of the pack.  I knew it would be impossible to get a good sprint from there.  I waited for any opportunity to move and got it on the backside.  I eased up and slid behind Heather and around to the outside.  The pace picked up as we moved through the false flat and into the final turn. The pace slowed and then revved up, but again no one jumped.  Finally Carrie made her move.  Ashley and Britta and several others were right with her.  This time I didn't need incentive to sprint.  I jumped and spun and added gear.  I pulled alongside Britta and got her by inches on the line for third.  

All-in-all I feel really good about the weekend's races.  I was very happy with my ability to recover today.  I need to still work on my sprint and on timing...endurance too if I ever think I'll make a solo break stick ;-)

Race Report: Carondelicious Circuit

The Carondelet course has several gentle climbs and only two real corners. The challenge for me at this course has always been the uphill finish. 

It was sunny and mid 40s yesterday. I got to the park and warmed up on the road with Amy and Vanessa. We were going to have four Big Shark women in the field. There were 15 women in the race, most of them very strong. We got instructions and the whistle and I decided to lead us out hot.  I settled in and decided to fade into the pack on the backside downhill. It wasn't long after that the attacks started. While no one ever got away for long, the surges were pretty steady throughout the race.  I would say about five or six girls kept mixing it up and trying to make something go.  I worked at staying near the front of the field.  I did my fair share of responding when a girl would try to make a go at it.  

Photo credit: Kelly Croy Patty

Sitting pretty.  Photo credit:  Kelly Croy Patty

Grab a wheel!  Photo credit:  Kelly Croy Patty

There were two prime laps in the race, and as is typical, the pack slowed way down when we got a bell and worked for position as we moved around.  I didn't make a serious move for either prime, but rather stayed up front in case someone wanted to try to turn it into a break.  At three to go things settled down a little and the paced slowed to moderate.  Vanessa tried to go off the front with two to go but was quickly brought back.  On the last lap, Amy ramped up the pace and the pack went with her.  I moved in and grabbed her wheel and hung tight.  Vanessa was on my left. We made the last turn to the hill to the finish and Amy glanced back at me.  I heard someone behind me start to add gear so I jumped.  The sprint was on. Chris, Ashley, Rachel, and someone else pulled away.  I was still in the saddle, but upping my cadence.  Britta came alongside of me and that gave me the oomph to sprint.  I was up and out. I pulled back ahead of her to cross the line in 5th.  

Race Report: Eagle 5K Sprint

I decided since the race was in Columbia that I would run to the race as my warm up.  It's about 1.7 miles to the high school, so it's a perfect distance.  I felt great on the warm up.  The sun was out, the wind was light and the temps were in the low 30s--perfect running weather.

Within a few minutes of getting there, I ran into my Wednesday night ride group.  There are three ladies in the group who are really fast runners so I knew I would be challenged in the race.  Right before we lined up, they described the coursed--It would have three hills on the way out and two on the way back, and go right by my old house.

Toni and I moved to the very front of the group.  There were about ten middle and high school boys standing on the front line already.  The horn blew and I took off working to move my way around the kids.  Within 150 yards I hit the first hill and I continued to move up, trying to find someone to pace.  We turned into the park and headed over past the pool.  A guy passed me and I worked to stay with him for a while, but when we crossed Main Street I couldn't sustain his pace.  From there it was down into my old neighborhood.  

Right after my old house, my watch beeped for mile one.  No looking--keep pushing!  On the third uphill on the way out, Dana caught me.  I moved in behind her and let her take me to the turnaround.  She took water at the aid station and walked.  I chose to keep going.  When I turned I saw that Toni wasn't that far behind either.  

I was about .2 miles past the turn when Dana and Toni caught me.  I was very tired at that point but continued to fight to stay with them.  As we went back past my house, Toni started to pull away.  I didn't have it to stay with her.  Dana and I stayed together up the final hill and across Main Street.  It was on the downhill she pulled away and I had to let her go.  

Knowing the roads so well, I knew exactly how far I had left to run.  If I could maintain the effort through the park, I could manage the downhill and finishing straight.  My chest was burning at that point.  Tennis courts --- done.  Baseball field ---done!  There was the downhill.  I could see Toni and Dana near the bottom.  Push, push, push. I made the left into the park lot and saw Toni finishing.  I gave my last effort and worked to close in on Dana.  I wasn't able to do it.  Toni finished in 22:00, Dana in 22:21, and me at 22:25.  I was third out of 151 women and 16th overall for 360 runner.  That's :16 seconds faster than the February 5K on a much more challenging course--pretty happy with it.  Plus for me it was staying with Dana and Toni--when I started running/riding with this group, I was no where close to their league.

Race bling!  Woot!  I'm pretty proud of this one.

Bella and Boo with their race bling.  The princess is going to be a heck of a runner someday.

Race Report: Castlewood Cup

It was sunny, windy and about 39 degrees on Saturday for the race.  I did a little under a mile warm up at a comfortable pace.  I was ceded in the third heat for the race (there were about a hundred in each heat).  We got the horn and I started weaving my way through people to get some open ground.  The race start in a field and wound around for a few minutes before hitting the first of three climbs.  The first climb was pretty rocky, a lot of loose gravel, but it wasn't too steep.  The hardest part was getting around people.  It flattened out for a minute before kicking up again.  After that we headed out into single track.  I was at the back of a line of about eight people and the opportunities to pass were limited.  I got around two as we wound through the woods and back down.  Once we hit the bottoms again, it opened up and I was able to move in front of most of the people.  We had a water station just before mile three and the second climb.  I grabbed a cup and walked a few feet before heading up the hill.  I had already decided I would walk the second and third hills to maximize my energy.  The second hill was long and wound around.  I knew there was a bench at the top and was happy to see it.  I was able to start running again.  We began our descent and hit a water stop around mile 5.  I took a GU, walked the stop and had some fluids before starting again.  The next few miles were simply a blur.  I know I ran, I know I walked a hill, but I truly don't remember much else except tripping twice and recovering before I face planted.  I had found some strange running zone and was just going with it.  Around mile seven we began to descend.  I could hear the announcer and music and knew we were closing in on the finish.  I felt tired but good, and in hind site, may have pushed too hard then.  We came out into the clearing I knew we hadn't seen mile marker 8, but I got a bit giddy about being close to the finish.  Then we wound back into the woods.  It was here that I walked for about 100 paces.  I started running again and made the creek crossing and made my way through the woods to cross the road.  I really hoped the finish was soon, but no such luck.  We wound around the same way we did for the start through the field.  I don't know know if it was my mind or my legs, but I walked.  I went through about three phases of walking in that last mile.  When I finally saw the finish line, I was able to start running again.  My splits were as follows:

M1--8:47

M2--9:07

M3--9:00

M4--10:24

M5--8:48

M6--10:53

M7--9:07

M8--8:33

M9--9:06

.2--9:30

My overall pace was 9:15.  I went back and looked at Pere Marquette in December--the terrain there was a bit hillier, but it was a shorter race.  My average pace for it was 9:48.  I was pleased with everything except my last mile for this race.  I just didn't feel like I "had it".  

Race Report: Run for the Chocolate

Sunday was crazy cold--18 degrees with a wind chill of nine at race time.  The sun was shining though, so that seemed to help some.  I didn't warm up very long pre-race, choosing to hang with Steph instead.  I question whether my short warm up hindered me, but I am happy with the choice I made.  The good thing I did do was to make sure I started at the front of the field.  There were supposed to be more than 1,000 runners there and I didn't want to have to weave in and out of a lot of people.  So after a good luck hug from Steph, I made my way to the front of the pack.  My goal for the morning was to run sub 24.

The horn blew and we were off.  I tried to gauge how fast the runners were around me and who I should try to pace off of but it was hard.  I just tried to concentrate on finding a pace, rhythm that was comfortably hard for me.  I found a good stride and just focused on moving forward.  Within no time we hit the water table at .5 mile, I still felt really good and pushed on.  The race was really fun for me in that I knew volunteers at almost every intersection, and having them cheer kept me smiling even it when my legs started to hurt.  At the one mile mark, it was hard not to look at my watch, but I wanted to run the entire race on feel and see what I could do.  It felt like forever from mile one to the turn around. 

I made the turn and started heading back.  I started feeling very fatigued, but told myself to look forward to seeing everyone I knew on the way back.  I passed Steven and he told me I was in 7th place for the women.  I knew I had to keep pushing.  At the two mile marker I wanted to stop and walk so badly because I was just tuckered out but I knew I was sitting in a good spot. It was about then I came up on Lauren and Matt.  Lauren began yelling for me just like she did at Louisville.  For the moments I heard her, my legs felt incredibly light.  Matt even grabbed my arms and "escorted" me for a few meters.  It's so awesome to have cheerleaders along the race course!

I made the left turn to head back over the highway and a girl passed me.  I tried to push to stay with her, but couldn't hold on to her.  After that it seemed like just a snap to .5 mile to go mark.  Once I saw that I knew I could keep going.  After the highway I made the right to the finishing straight and another woman came up along side of me.  There was about 400 meters left and I tried to stay with her--that only lasted for about 50 meters and I couldn't push any harder.  I saw the clock at that point and realized that it was at 22 minutes and just focused on finishing out.  My time was 22:41.  I ended up 2nd in my age group (56 in AG), 9th in women and 31st over all (846 racers).  My splits were pretty consistent, 7:20, 7:24, 7:25 and 7:00 for the .1. I'm amazed at how I did.  I would have never thought I could maintain a sub 7:30 pace that long.  I'm incredibly happy with my results

Sunday afternoon I looked up my last 5K time from October, 2008, it was 25:02 and at that time, it was my PR.  I've come a long way in less than four years, especially considering I haven't been focusing on the run at all.  I have another 5K coming up in two weeks, I'm hoping I can sustain my success through it!

Race Report: Nippy Niner

Off and running! *Photo credit: Brent Newman

I don't know what's come over me the last few months, but I've been enjoying my running more and more--including racing again.  I'm guessing that, and a little persuasion, was what talked me into the Nippy Niner.  The race was up at Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area, the same location as our Wednesday Night Time Trials.  I had never realized there were off road trails up there, but they are beautiful.


The drive up to the race was dreary.  There was a heavy mist and it was chilly.  And of course my "wonderful" navigation skills set the course through some scenic neighborhoods!  It just helped to make a great day more interesting.


The race course started with four miles of gravel, headed into about 3 miles of single track, and ended with grass, field roads.  I got there and did an easy mile warm up and went back and got my Gu before heading towards the start.  The mist had let up by the time we were called to the line.  I started about mid way in the group. We got the start and I'm not sure what came over me, but I took off like a woman possessed--very inspired.  I began weaving my way in and out of the runners in front of me and quickly found myself sitting in 3rd for women.  I was pacing the 2nd place woman comfortably, but knew I was going hard and at some point I would need to let up, but not quite yet.  I caught the girl in 2nd and stayed with her.  My watch beeped at mile one and I saw I was running a 7:20 something pace.  Oh my!  That's not what I run.  I eased up a little and the girl went in front of me.  I knew I was still going too fast to maintain the pace for the entire race.  My pace for the 2nd mile ended up around 7:39--still too fast for me.  I got slowed myself down for mile three and four, still on the gravel, and I felt much better.  I grabbed water and Gu'd at the rest stop around mile 4, before the course headed into the single track.  By this time I was sitting about 5th.  The condition of the single track really surprised me.  While there were no real hills, the ground had little ups and downs.  I kept thinking how much I wished I was on my cx bike, catching air off some of those little rollers.  The miles through the single track were very peaceful, going right next to the river.  I wished I could have slowed down to enjoy the view.  I began to struggle a bit mentally around mile six, because I got passed by three more ladies.  I hate getting passed.  I also knew my splits weren't negative.  These were my slowest miles of the race, one going at 9:01.  I came out of the woods and ran the paved path for a short bit before turning into the field.  I was not prepared for this section at all.  With the rain we had this weekend, the ground was soft and squishy.  It felt like running in quick sand and my legs quickly tired.  I wanted so badly to stop and walk but would let myself.  At one point through this section, the course was under water, calf deep--I did let myself walk that.  By then, the finish line was in site in the distance and I just kept pushing through.  By the time I could see the finish clock, it was at 1:14:23 and there was no way I was going to let it hit 1:15 on me.  I dug in and went harder to get in at 1:14:39. Results were: 31st overall, 9th woman, 1st in my age group.


Overall I'm very pleased with my run, but I know I need to work at my start--going out at a pace I can maintain and getting going harder if I feel good.  My pace was strong, especially considering the terrain. I also need to work on not letting my mind limit my body.  I've never been a "true runner" in my own mind, so running sub-8 scares the heck out of me.  I have a 5K this Sunday and my approach is going to be to go all out and really see what I can do.  
  

Race Report: Masters Worlds 2012

I'll be thinking about this one for a long time, trying to figure out what I could have changed, how I could have raced better. I'm disappointed with myself in that I know I can race better than I did today.

I got to the course around 10 and watched the first ladies' race. The course had already started to thaw and was a mess. I sat in the car for a bit to stay warm until the course opened at noon. I went out for a lap then. There was about a half inch to an inch of mud on top of still frozen ruts. I felt ok about all but one short section through the woods. I went back to car and cleaned up and changed into my skinsuit and headed out to warm up. I got a great warm up in and was confident when I pulled to the line.

I had pulled number three so I was first row, great spot. I shed my jacket and leg warmers and waited for the whistle. We got the start and were off. I was sitting seventh off the pavement and moved into fifth by the time we went downhill to the barriers. That's where my race started to go to hell. I knew a girl was on my wheel. She took the inside line while I went wide on the downhill turn before the barriers. I guess she caught a rut because she came right across at me. We both went down with her bars getting tangled in rear wheel. Getting untangled cost us several spots. I picked up the bike and got over the barriers and up the hill. I remounted only to realize my chain was off. My bike just felt "off" after that. I came down hard off the flyover and decided to pit so my bike could be checked out.

The bike exchange in the pit wasn't bad, but it wasn't the smoothest I've done either. I jumped on and took off. I headed out to the woods. I was geared wrong going into the sand and had dismount and run it. I remounted to find another dropped chain. WTF? I got back on and was able to ride the entire wooded section. I headed back into the open back section, AKA the bog.

I tried to ride the tape where the ruts were less, mud more shallow. I guess I caught a rut because the next thing I knew I was wrapped in tape and had a course stake through my skinsuit. I untangled and ran with bike, trying to get a good remount. I then realized my bars were cocked. I stopped and straightened them. I jumped on but couldn't get going. My rear wheel would not roll. I tried to spin it to no avail. I shouldered the bike and started running. And kept running. Matt came out and asked what was wrong. I told him the wheel was clogged. He said my bike was ready. I cleared some mud off the rear wheel and was able to ride about 100 yards before it got too clogged again. The pit was in site but I could barely lift the bike to my shoulder.

I got my Ridley back and was off to the second wooded section. I did the run up and stone steps with no problem. Up onto the pavement to the start finish. I looked up and saw my lap time--18 minutes. I really wanted to cry.

I went back out on course and rode aggressively. At this point what was there to lose? I rode so much better. My lines were good, I tackled the bog like I owned it. As I neared the second pit entrance, Matt ran out and told me they had put a Zipp on the rear of the Mercxx, that I should pit. I round the corner to the pit and my bike locked up--grass and mud. I swear the thing weighed more than my son. I had to squat to shoulder it. I took made the change and headed out. I made my way to the run up and stairs, and headed to the pavement. There was someone in the course. I realized I was being pulled. I honestly said to him, "really? Just let me finish.". No dice. I got a participant's medal and was sent on my way to pout.

Now I need to figure out what I could have done differently. Quicker off the line and I wouldn't have crashed with girl by the barriers. Possibly zig zagging the ruts would have prevented the second take down. The course conditions were tough, but obviously there were girls who were able to handle them. I wasn't, not today. I hate ending the season this way, but it has to end sometime. I'll have a chance to go at this race again next year, hopefully with better results.

Snow, a layer of mud, and frozen ruts *photo credit:  Lauren Hendrix

Post crashes .  Dirty! *Photo credit:  Lauren Hendrix

One way to get the mud off.  I think he liked doing it.  *Photo credit:  Lauren Hendrix

Over the first barrier.  *Photo credit:  Lauren Hendrix