I am beginning to think I've been cursed by Murphy's Law during cx season. Today's race was a tough, tough course. It was incredibly hilly, thick grass and lots of switchbacks. I knew it would be tough. Nine women in the A race, about 15 in the B race. We took off on lap one and I rode what I could. The switchback turns were all at the top of small climbs and the thick grass made it difficult to maneuver some of the turns to go downhill the opposite way. I was able to pedal through a few that I didn't make during my warm up lap.
The grimace on my face from my scraped knee and flat tire. Photo cred: Dennis F.The second lap I was able to ride a hill that I had to take fully as a run up last year. I was feeling good, saw 5 to go on the lap cards and headed into lap three. The course started on pavement and had a 180 sweeping turn. I took it too aggressively and laid my bike over. Amazingly I stayed clipped in as I slid through the parking lot. I unclipped jumped up and made sure everything was still attached to my body (and that I hadn't put a hole in my skin suit!) and started again. I hit the first long downhill and tried to turn and my rear wheel slipped. I dabbed and went on the second and my rear wheel slipped. I dismounted and felt my tire and it was nearly flat. I ran the next three switchbacks and remounted to see how far I could make it. Every turn I was fishtailing, and of course I had passed the pit already. I ran the bike the rest of the course, through the start finish and back to the pit. I got to the pit and had no wheels there. Sam assumed that I would DNF because the course was tough if I flatted so he left my wheels in the truck. I take full responsibility for not checking. I told him to give me the rear wheel off of his bike. Carrie put it on and I took off. I grabbed my brakes for the downhill and had none...it wasn't reconnected and I didn't check before leaving the pit. I messed with it for a couple of minutes before I was able to get it rehooked and take off again. By this time I had been either lapped or passed by everyone. I refused to quit a race though. I rode the lap and did what I could with Sam's wheel--my bike didn't like his cassette and it slipped a bit.
Sonny lapped me for a second time as I finished the lap so when I went back through I got one to go. There were a few B racers in my sight, so I made the move to catch and pass them and was able to do it. 
It was amazing how many cheers I got as I ran with the bike. This season has taught me a lot about bike racing and a lot about who I am and the mental and physical determination I have. I may not be the strongest, fastest racer out there, but I have a stick-with-itness that would rival anyone.
The smile on my face as I sprinted towards the line . . . and yes, you still should sprint even if you are DFL. Photo cred: Dennis F.
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