Race Report: Hermann CX 2012

Saturday morning I helped out at a cross clinic.  It was good for me to go through a few drills and get some feedback from some more experienced racers.  I headed to Hermann after that was over.

I was there early enough to get laps on the course between a few races.  The turns were all wide and smooth.  Obstacles included normal barriers, three short barriers on an uphill, one section of stairs and a sand pit with a turn.  I watched the single speed race to see if any of them were able to ride the short barriers or the sand -- they were all running it which was what I had been planning on.  An hour before my race I got ready and headed out to warm up.  I did a few hills and surges and also hit some grassy areas.  I did one more lap on the course and headed to the line.  There were seven of us racing.  We got instructions and the go.  I was sixth off the start.  I definitely need to work on my cx starts!  We wove our way through the "technical" section of the course and the lead three (Sunny, Karen, and Jenn) were beginning to get a gap.  Cory was on my wheel, but I knew she starts hot and fades, so I wasn't worried there.  I took the barriers smoothly and added some gear on the first pavement section.  We hit the grass again and wound to the short barriers.  I was smooth going over them, but I'm guessing dropped my bike too hard because I dropped my chain.  I had to stop to put it back on and Cory passed me.  I told myself I would get her on the power section on the field or the stairs.  I jumped back on the bike and went down the short hill and back up the other side.  SNAP. There went my chain.  Not much I could do at that point because the pit was still a good distance -- time to run.  I started to shoulder the bike and realized I was better off pushing it.  I kept a nice pace and ran through the baseball field and up the stairs.  I rode the bike down the hill and to the next up hill before I dismounted and ran again.  Through the sand and another hill and back to the pit.  I switched bikes and was off.  At this point I knew that I didn't have a snowball's chance of placing in the race, but I was not about to let up.  I needed a good workout and no better way to practice racing than in a race.  I rode solid and switched back to my bike at the end of that lap.  I was able to close the gap between Cory and me to 50 seconds by the last lap.  My highlights for the race were cornering well, even in the dark and staying focused on going hard even though I was way off the back.  My areas to work on our remounts on pavement -- I bobbled a few at the top of the stairs and starts.

Just happy to cross the line! *photo credit: Dan Singer

Sunday's course was much the same as Saturday's with one notable exception. Sunday we ran the full set of stairs...61 of them I've been told. There was also an added section with an off camber down switchback to an uphill off camber 180 around a tree.  I won't lie, that section made me nervous every lap.  I warmed up on the road again and took a few extra times down the added section.  I wanted to make sure I had good lines for it.  We had 10 ladies in the race on Sunday--three the same as the night before, everyone else was fresh.  Off the line I was in sixth place.  I was following Mary Piper and was on her heels up the stairs.  I should have switched sides on the stairs so I could get around her, but my hypoxic brain wasn't thinking that clearly.  She got a gap on me on the downhill section.  I was determined not to let her get away.  Also, Teresa was right on my wheel at that point.  We started through the turns on lap two and I got a little heckling from a friend.  When I yelled back Teresa commented "how can you still talk, I'm dying."  That made me think that I wasn't going hard enough so I added gear and went harder.  I got closer to Mary, but wasn't able to over take her.

Top of the steps . . . those hurt!  *photo credit: Mike Dawson

The off camber section after the turns.  Yep, scared me! *photo credit: Dan Singer

In lap three I knew I was closing the gap on her. Plus I could see Liz and Karen in front of Mary.  I knew if I got Mary, I could get them as well.  Lap four we hit the baseball field and I put my head down and went after her.  I was on her wheel at the dismount for the stairs.  She took the right side and I took the left.  Run, run, run.  It helped that I had my Boo yelling at me "Faster, Mommy, faster. Your mom can take these stairs faster than you."  I was a half step in front of her at the top and I lunged forward with the bike, set it down and remounted.  I got the line for the downhill.  It was now time for a gap and fourth place.  I saw Liz in the sand when I went over the hill.  I knew I could take her.  I was able to pass her in the first wide turn after the start finish.  I knew with Liz I would have to keep going strong because she is known for fighting her way back.  I started concentrating on catching Karen.  I could see her in front of me on the stairs on that lap.  I passed her just before the start/finish and beginning of Lap 6.  I heard the announcer say that I must have been lapped . . . he apologized later.  Karen passed me again going through a turn.  I stayed on her wheel through the barriers and subsequent turns and overtook her again on the pavement.  She got me through the second turn on the grass.  We went over the short barriers, just a few paces apart.  She edged me out on the downhill/uphill and I knew I had to do something if I wanted the podium spot.  We hit the pavement section and I attacked and didn't look back.  I got a sizable gap on her and knew I needed to ride smart and strong and finish the last lap well.  I got a gap count for Jenn in second.  She was about 30 seconds ahead of me, but I ran out of time to catch her.  All in all it was a great race for me.  It reinforced that I need to work on starts.  And while I'm remounting quickly, I'm still double hopping to do it.  I know in my cx skills workouts I'll be slowing down my remounts to work on that muscle memory piece.  

Podium shot -- two great ladies to share it with! *Photo credit: Dan Singer

Race Report: Hermann CX

Saturday night's race went much better for me than the results show. Jeff, once again, put together a great, challenging course.  It incorporated the warning track of the baseball field, those stairs we all love, two sand pits, a couple of railroad ties before a little off camber spot, and barriers.  The turns were nice and open, which is a plus for me.

I jumped on course and did a warm up lap between some earlier races.  At that point, the conditions were good and the lines were already visible.  I felt like I could ride the first sand pit, but decided to run the second because I knew with the ties being uphill, I wouldn't be confident in trying to hop them.  I finished my warm up on the road, trying to agitate my heart rate so I would be ready to go off the line.  The weather was overcast, low 60s and humid.  It rained all day Wednesday and we had spot showers on Saturday.  There were 13 women in our race.

The whistle blew and I thought I went off hot, but I was sitting in 12th immediately.  By the time we hit the second chicane on the field, Cory had passed me.  I pushed myself and stayed on Carol's wheel and passed her on the way to the stairs.  I stayed in front of her through the first two laps, but she passed me through the start/finish on lap three.  Cory was in site though and I went after her.  I overtook her right after we circled back on the baseball field.  Alison was in sight, so I kept trying to catch her.  That lap I fumbled with my bike over the first barrier and grazed the top of the second barrier with my wheel.  I almost went down, but recovered and remounted.  Lap five I was closing in on Alison.  I caught and passed up running up the stairs.  I would put distance on her in the open areas, but she'd catch me through the turns.  In the last lap, I put what felt like a good gap on her after the stairs and sand, but I think I slowed down through the winding to the finish because right before we went out on the finishing straight, Jim yelled at me that she was right on me.  I didn't look back but added gear and got out of the saddle for the sprint, crossing the line in front of her for 11th.

The thing about cx is that no matter how much I struggle, I usually am able to smile my way through.

This is a BIG deal for me.  It's the first time I've ever been able to shoulder my bike.

Sunday’s course was the same as Saturday’s except that the conditions had deteriorated. There was lots of mud and little grass. Temps were low 70s at race time, and we had a field of eight.

I was on the back off the start and lost contact with the group after the second chicane. I knew I wasn't well suited for the mud, so I looked at it as an opportunity to practice my handling skills. I held it upright through everything and began to gain ground on the two ladies in front of me. I struggled with my remounts on lap five because I was just simply exhausted by that point. I got lapped by the three leaders just prior to the stairs, making lap six my final lap.  The other big point of this race was that I took my first beer hand up!

Here's what I noticed about my racing:

• ·         I'm much more comfortable on this smaller frame.  My bike handling was much, much better than it's ever been.  I now need to focus on adding speed through the turns.  
• ·         I didn't get skittish through the sand, mud, or when I couldn't get back into my pedals following the run through the sand. That’s a HUGE improvement for me.
• ·         I was conscience about what my strengths were in this race.  I knew my area to make up time was where I could use power versus the girls who are better handlers.
• ·         I need to work on not getting complacent.  In a crit, this isn't an issue because of the pack.  I find myself losing a little focus when the field gets strung out.  
• ·         I know I need to work on going harder off the start so I do not constantly have to regain ground.

Race Report: Hermann

This year's Tour of Hermann was much difference for me than last year.  Last year I knew I was well trained, but had zero expectations because I had never done anything like it.  This year, I knew I was well-trained, but had definite expectations.  I wanted to win the tt and hold my own in the crit.  I didn't know if I would do the road race or not.  I did not have it on my schedule because of my job situation, but since that had changed, it was a possibility.

The course for the TT was a new one this year--much more challenging than last year.  Most of the hills were rollers, with one 18% climb at mile 4/10.  The weather was humid, a bit windy, and low 60s at my start.  I was cautious getting out of the parking lot onto the road because it was still wet from the rain we had.  I was about three and a half minutes in when I got passed by my 30 sec follow.  I didn't worry about it and just concentrated on pedal stroke and breathing.  My legs and lungs both felt great.  I went into my small ring for the big climb and it still hurt.  I settled back in pretty quickly though.  I think I was out of my saddle about three times on the way out.  I passed one girl on the way as well.  I got to the turn and saw another rider close enough for me to catch.  I used him as a rabbit.  Around mile nine, there was a hill that I was expecting I had to small ring.  I knew the big one was close so I just added gear in the back.  The climb was longer, but not as steep for the big hill going back.  Once I was over that, I was back in my big ring and worked on giving more for the last bit.  I finished strong with a negative split.  Final time was 38:22--over a minute ahead of the 2nd place girl, 108 overall.

I had about three hours until the crit.  Jamie and I grabbed lunched at the Stone Hill restaurant and watched the races.  This crit course is the most challenging I'll see all year.  It's 1.2 miles, starts with a false flat for about a quarter mile.  Up next is a screaming downhill with awful pavement and a sharp right.  You then traverse some neighborhood streets before climbing an ugly .2 mile hill that just hurts.  At race time it was mid-80s and sunny with a 12mph wind; we were doing 10 laps.  I had one teammate, Vanessa, in the race and she had fresh legs.  She was urging me at the start to go out hard with her and splinter the field.  I told her I didn't think I'd have it in my legs.  We got the whistle and she drove the pace.  By the bottom of the descent, I was off the back.  I had two girls in my sight, so I just worked on gaining ground on them.  I caught the first girl on the third climb.  I didn't let up on her on got significant distance from her on the false flat.  I caught the next girl on lap five on the hill.  Again, I just concentrated on giving it the power to not let her stay with me.  On lap seven I caught a third girl.  I rode her wheel up the climb and then pushed past her at the start/finish, not giving her a chance to go with me.  At two to go, the announcer said the four lead girls had a minute on me, about a quarter of a lap.  I pushed my descents a little harder, and tried to climb faster, hoping to see them and get on, but all I did was lap the first two girls I passed.  I ended up 5th overall. 

I was really torn about whether or not to race Sunday.  It was going to be hot, hilly and windy.  But I wasn't paying for the race and I was in a great spot to be on the podium in the Omnium.  I emailed Chuck who gave me great advice--if I woke up and wanted to race, go for it.  If not, stay home and train.  I hit the hills in Wildwood with the girls!

A Weekend to CX-Over

The weekend was to be filled with all things cx. Clinic, racing, more racing, mud if got lucky. It was the official transition away from crits, road races, and time trials onto the laidback off-road fun.

Saturday kicked it off with the Team Rev Co-Ed (yes! co-ed) CX Clinic. What a success! 40 participants hit the grass and woods at Concordia to learn and practice cyclocross skills. It was well-organized, well-attended and well-executed. Even though I raced cross last season, I still consider myself quite a novice. My dismounts are passable, but remounting and mud wreak havoc on my results. We didn't have any mud in which to play, but Carrie had us on and off the bike over and over and over again. It was exactly what I needed. I learned hand placement for carrying my bike over barriers and drills I can practice on my own.

Next, it was off to Hermann to practice those newly honed skills. I got to the race in plenty of time so I could get a lap in before the first race went off. The course had a little bit of everything: off camber, stairs, barriers, technical turns, and sand. (No mud though!) I did my warm up on the roads while the beginners raced and got a couple more laps in after their race, before mine. I have to give a shout out to the beginners--the women's and men's podium was full of CX clinic participants.

We had ten women in the Open race. We got instructions and the siren and went off fast. Stephanie, Allison, and Pam were out in front. I jumped right in with them. It's the first time I've been that aggressive at the start of a race. We hit the grass down hill and the off camber 180 behind the baseball field and headed through the thick grass to the first barrier. Gina and Amy went around me somewhere in here. I lost ground on the barrier but kept them in sight. We hit the stairs and I was still with them. I lost ground again remounting and when I chose to run the sand the first lap. Cory went by me after the sand. I talked myself through and just focused on racing the best race I could, working on my remounting. The second lap, I rode the sand and stayed upright, which was a big accomplishment for me. Somewhere during the third lap, I caught and passed Cory. By that time though, the leaders were out of sight. I could still see Gina during the long stretch to the first barrier in the grass, but couldn't catch her. I finished 5th. (Pam ended up DNFing).

I felt good physically during the race. My heart rate ran high, but nothing I couldn't handle. I focused on holding onto the hood when I jumped the barriers to make remounting easier. I think I was about 90% on that. I still need to work on shouldering the bike and reaching through to grab the bars. I carried it on my back instead. I was pleased with my jump off the start line, and need to work on staying up there. My bike handling, especially cornering, was good. Most of all, I had fun.

I grabbed a quick shower and went over to watch Klucker race. I snapped a few shots of him, but my camera skills, like my remounting, need work. He finished up and we headed back to the RV for dinner. We had the set up! Klucker's parents brought their RV and my children to the race. Pops smoked ribs and fixed dinner for all of us. It was heaven at a cx race.

After dinner it was time to watch more racing, in the distance it was clouding up and beginning to lightning. We had our pop up next to the RV and asked Cleeland if he wanted to put his tent under there. He moved it under just as the rain started. This turned out to be a good move for everyone. It caused us to clean up the campsite; bikes and tool box were put in the truck, other things put away.

The A race was called after two laps due to the storm rolling in. We sat out under awning for a while longer, watching it rain. We called it a night around 10 when the smoke from ever getting wetter fire drove us inside. For the next several hours, I don't know if I slept. If I did, it was brief snippets. The rain belted the RV, the wind shook it and hail dinged. I kept waiting for Cleeland and his son to come in out of the storm.

A little after one there was a knock on the door. I assumed Cleeland had come to his sense, not so. It was the sheriff telling us the creek was rising. The Klucker men stood outside for a few minutes assessing the situation as men do and then got to work. Coolers were thrown in the trucks. The smoker was put away. Inside we folded up the couch and stowed loose gear. I got shoes on the kids. Klucker brought me my pit boots so I could get to the car. The water was over my ankles by that points.

Within 20 minutes of the knock, we were heading out of town. Before leaving the campground, I looked over and saw that the water had risen to the top of a small car parked behind where Cleeland had been earlier. It was insane. Never have I seen a flash flood and water rising so quickly. The drive home was scary. Dark, narrow, windy roads were difficult to see as the rain continued to drown us and lightning lit the sky.

*Photo cred to Dan Singer. See Team Rev's Facebook page and http://picasaweb.google.com/illinisuze/HermannCX for more pics.

Hermann Race Report

Can I start by just saying that I am cooked well-done this morning? I think muscle memory and accountability are the only things that got me through a run this morning.

I did not go into this weekend's races with the best attitude. I will openly admit that I was scared of the first hill of the road race. I set a goal for myself of a super strong TT, followed by holding my own in the crit, and simply holding on in the road race. I knew there would be nine women going for the Omnium, several of them Cat 3 racers, I wanted a podium spot there.

Of course, Saturday morning we were running late...that's usually what happens when I travel with Klucker. We got to Hermann and got our chips with only 20 minutes till our TT start times. I got on the bike and warmed up as much as I could. I made sure I did a hard effort to agitate my heart rate a bit. I rolled up to the start house and got in line. My time came up and I moved onto the ramp. For the first time since I began TTing I clicked into both pedals right away...I felt very comfortable being held. Buddy gave me my count down and I was off. In my head I was screaming up, up, up. I stayed up on the bars through the first two turns. After that second turn I went down into the aero bars and powered over the bridge. The wind was crazy strong. I crested the bridge and tried to get my breathing under control. I concentrated on my cadence and pedal stroke and talked myself through the race. I made the next turn onto the two lane country road and told myself it's only 5.5mi out in the wind. About seven minutes in the lactic acid build up began its burn and I got passed for the first time. Three minutes later another guy flew past me. I just kept pedaling and kept them in my site. I got to the turn and flipped around...I still need to work on that with this new bike. I got out of the saddle to get a little power and got back into position. I added a gear but was disappointed not to have the true tail wind I was wanting; still it was better than the way out. In my mind I was trying to calculate if I could finish the race in less than 30 minutes. I saw the turn back to the bridge...the ride back seemed much shorter. All of sudden I was passed twice like I was sitting still, first by a guy, then by a woman. Onto the road to the bridge and the finish. The diagonal cross wind felt like it had picked up. I was doing my mental math again as I approached the crest of the bridge and saw the finish. I could have given a little more and finished in under 30, but I was afraid I wouldn't have it left for the crit. About 100 feet before the finish, another guy blew past me but I was just happy to be done. I rolled back into town and spun for a couple of minutes before heading to the truck to head over to the crit.

We drove over near the crit course and got ready to go. I rode the course twice and knew that two hills would make the race. The uphill was nasty, about 16% grade (I'm glad I didn't know that at the time) and the downhill was just as steep with awful pavement. About 150 yards after the downhill was a sharp right turn that was torn up on the inside. I had Ashley and Kelly with me on the course and I tried to talk them through what to think about because they're both new racers. I think that was good for me as well. We got back to the start/finish at the top of the hill and the final TT results were posted. I won by one second! YEAH! As they were staging it, Aero announced our results. We were getting our pre-race instructions when Aero announced the TT results were wrong; some woman from IA had beaten me by 8 seconds. WTH????I told myself that it wasn't the time to worry about it; I had another race to do. The whistle went off and so did Woodard. She took a quick jump and all of a sudden I was sitting 8th.Cory was up there with them and I told myself to relax and outlast them. Buddy had changed our time to 15 +3 so I just needed to race strong and smart. As we went around, I made my moves. At the end of the first lap, I was sitting 6th.I crested the hill and Amy, my teammate, was yelling at me to get back in my big ring. I listened and concentrated on moving forward. Next lap I was 5th across the line. This time I had Lo telling me to remember to smile because the photos would be on Facebook. Back in my big ring and back around. Third time across I was in 4th and right up with Ashley. Fourth lap and the prime point bonus bell. I had moved into third and heard Amy tell me to keep my gap. Back down and around and up again. I couldn't catch Woodard or Allison for the point’s bonus. I saw 16 minutes on the lap cards and secretly hoped they would read two to go on the next time around. Back around to the hill, nope three laps to go but we got a bell for another prime. I would make ground on the two leaders on the climb, but they took it back on the downhill and corner. With two laps to go, Allison took the lead from Woodard for the first time. Had she cracked? I was tired by this point but as I climbed, Stephanie ran along side of me telling me to spin and turn them over. Leave it to my incredible friend to know exactly what I needed and when I needed it. This was it, if I was going to do something I needed to do it this lap. I went all out on the downhill and didn't let them get that ground back this time. We weaved through the turns at the bottom and back to the climb. I had done the previous climbs seated (and from the photos I need to work on posture) but this time I was up and out of the saddle. I didn't give Woodard a second look as I took second from her. I gave it everything and put a pretty good gap on her as I crossed the line behind Allison.

With two good finishes I was sitting in first for the Omnium, I tried not to think about how I "had to finish" to win it all. I wanted to go out Sunday and race hard and stay on as long as I could. I didn't want to get over confident.

Sunday was a much quieter but start than Saturday. We got there in plenty of time. I went out for a warm up and wanted to pre-ride the first hill so I knew exactly what to expect. As I headed out of town, I asked a volunteer which way the race went and she pointed straight ahead. It was a big, long hill so I started climbing. I was about 3/4 of the way up when a pickup truck pulled alongside of me and told me I was going the right way. It was very nice of the guy, but he also kept edging me over until I was in the grass. Finally, I had to tell him thanks but go away. I turned around and found the right hill. The girls who told me it wasn't steep were lying--I'm thinking 20-21% at one point. It was steep, long and deceiving. I went about a third of the way up and knew that it would definitely crack the field apart. I headed back to town and towards the start line. I met up with Teresa and she told me to watch Woodard, she would be strong and that if I could make it through the first 12-15 miles, it would get easier. I also met another Big Shark woman who had finished 2nd in the TT the day before but hadn't raced the crit. Cheryl graciously told me she would do whatever I needed her to do to keep my place in the Ominium.

We rolled up to the line for prerace instructions and Aero called me out for leading the GC.I didn't want the attention because I just wanted to quietly race and maintain a good position. We got a whistle and rolled out. We had about a mile of neutral riding before we turned onto the hill and the official start. I did my best not to go out to aggressively but tried staying near the front. We had a moment where the hill flattened and it pitched up again. I stayed up with the leaders and got to the top. There were six of us at that point. I think we took a collective breath and organized for the descent. It was a quick down and back up. Five more riders got on with us at the bottom. I looked around and saw Ashley and Cheryl were there. We rotated through our line several times before the third climb. After the third descent, I was on the front and Ashley came up and said it's flat for a mile, let go. Our attack was off. It didn't last though. We were quickly caught and back in the group and head up the fifth climb. I fell to the back of the group during that climb. I knew I need to stay on and we'd have a respite at the top. We got up there and again regrouped. I took a GU and some Gatorade at that point. Our pace seemed to slow a bit as well. We had two women with us who were not strong in a pack. I did my best to stay clear of them.

From there, we had a progressive, gradual downhill to mile 20.Our next small climb came up and I saw Klucker up ahead. That meant he had fallen off of the men's group that started 10 minutes ahead of us. Cheryl came up and we talked about the end of the race. She offered to give me a lead out if we could get into position. We finished the climb and descent and headed to the QOM climb. Woodard and Allison attacked. I didn't have it left in me to stand and go after them for the points. Ashley and Cheryl went by me and I yelled to Ashley to go for the QOM. She didn't get them so that meant they would have extra Omnium points. I was off the back and tired. I crested and continued to pedal through the descent--no rest for me if I wanted to get back on. I heard Madeline come up alongside of me. I dropped back and took her wheel for about a minute to rest. We were heading into town and I was gaining ground. The pack slowed down a bit--I found out later that a truck got in front of them. Whatever it was, it was to my advantage. The group turned made the first turn towards the finish and I was about 5 bike lengths back, next turn I made up more ground. Two blocks to the final turn and I had Cheryl's wheel and told her to give me the lead out. She sling-shotted me around that corner and I was out of the saddle and going. I caught Allison's back wheel but couldn't pass her. I heard the Aero announce Cat took first with Ashley in second. I didn't know what Woodard had done.

I spun my legs out for a few minutes while I was waiting for the results. Woodard had taken fourth, but they also changed the TT results again--I had won. By my (and Stephanie via text msg) calculations that meant I maintained the Omnium lead, Woodard took second and Allison was third. YES!

Special note has to go out to a few ladies who raced 3/4s this weekend:
Two of our Racing 101 women did their first races this weekend: Kelly M. jumped in the hardest crit course I’ve seen and stayed strong. Madeline raced the road race and finished in the top half of her field!
Nicole L. raced the Omnium in fine fashion. She’s really doing a great job of jumping back into racing.
A big woo-hoo goes to Kate and her 3rd in the TT. Impressive!
And Ashley…4th in the crit, 2nd in the road race. Watch out when this girl gets some more experience under her belt. She’s incredible now and she’ll be unbeatable!






*Photo credits to Paul Pate. Thx, man!

Hermann Under the Lights

Thursday I headed down to Forest Park for cross practice. Jamie, one of my teammates, said she’d meet me there to give me some tutoring on mounting/dismounting. I got there a little early and road around the area a bit, just trying to get use to the bike handling, etc. There were a few guys there already, so I watched them as they went over the barriers. I got a handle on the basic idea of dismounting and tried it a few times, very awkwardly.
While I was waiting for Jamie, Cory showed up. Cory did a great job of walking me through the mechanics of what I needed to do. I started to feel more comfortable with what she was showing me and rode a few complete laps on the course. Carrie and Jamie got there and gave me great tips and advice as well.
Saturday we headed to Hermann for the race. I was excited to race this event because it had an actual beginners’ women’s race. I rode the course three or four times prior to the start, falling on my first time through trying to get my left foot out before the barrier. The course had three technical turns, the first banked high the left. The back straight away was flat and asphalt, and right after the start/finish was a set of concrete stairs.
We were lined up behind the beginner men, I had registered in time to get a front row starting spot. The start line was actually parallel to the finish and added a 180 with a high right bank. The whistle was blown we were off. I fell behind going around the first turn. We got to the stairs, I dismounted without a problem and headed up the stairs. I made up a lot of ground on the stairs, I remounted and was off. The first and second loops were pretty uneventful. I stayed close to the fourth and fifth place women. On our third lap, the two women in front of me passed the third place woman and got a bit of a gap on me. I looked down at that point and realized how high my HR was. I tried to work on breathing, but couldn’t get it below 180. I stayed right on the fifth place woman through the technical pieces and the barriers. I caught and passed her on the back straight right before the start/finish. I got up the stairs and realized that I had put a pretty good gap on her. There were two laps to go and I wanted to concentrate on getting up with riders three and four. I caught up with them near the barriers and stayed with them until the asphalt section. They got away from me there. On the last lap, I was just behind them going up the stairs. I stayed with them until the last barrier. I dropped my bike when I was jumping over it and they got away from me. I got back on and finished hard. I think I was about 20-30 seconds behind 3rd and 4th place.
I know I need to work on being quick off the start and the remount still.