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

CX Worlds

Yesterday I went down to the park early to get a look at course. It was under 20 degrees and the course was frozen solid. There were lots of deep ruts, and the sand was frozen hard enough to make it completely rideable. Finding a line in the course was tough because if you got caught in a rut, it took your wheel. The best ploy was to zig zag back and forth.

I stuck around and watch the women's races. Lots of ladies went down hard. I was watching near the pit and saw several of them take a big bite of the metal fencing. At that point, the only bike exchanges were for broken equipment from crashes. At noon, the course opened again and I went out for another lap. The conditions changed significantly in that short time. The top layer of ground "melted" do there was a layer of slimy mud, but still frozen ruts below. The crab grass was getting mixed in with the mud, making it clog everything up.

After cleaning up the bike, I went to get some food and warm up before going back to watch the boys race. We had four Big Sharks down for the races. Chris Harre finished 44th and Trent Donat was 50th in their race. Josh Johnson was 15th and Matt Davidson 32nd in their race. By the end of Josh and Matt's race the course was trashed.

Louisville got less than an inch of snow last night and it got down under 20 again, so I imagine the course will be frozen for morning races again. It's supposed to be in the high 30s by the time I race. I decided to skip this morning's pre-ride because it won't be the same course by the time I race. I'll take a lap at noon and see what it brings. Matt and Lauren are sticking around to cheer, Michelle made the trip from Dallas, and Steven is in the pit with SRAM, so I'll have lots of additional support.

Race Report: Chicago Cross Cup New Years Resolution

In the spirit of full disclosure, like so many of the out of town races I did this season, these races were no where on my radar at the beginning of the cx season.  My season was going to be done in early December after state, and I then found myself driving north in the rain on Friday afternoon.  I had no real idea what to expect, other than sand because it was on a golf course.  But, I was ready to have fun. 

I got up Saturday morning and headed down to the course to pre-ride it before any of the other races began.  I wanted to make sure I had a good feel for it and got a full lap in prior to my race.  CCC described it as being four sections:  one power followed by one power/technical, another technical, and a final power section.  The start was on pavement and headed up a small incline and past the finish line.  A sweeping left led out to the grass to a few little off cambers and an off camber hill that was going to be muddy and sloppy as the day progressed.  From there it went to "mini Mt Krumpet" that would have been totally rideable in other conditions, but it was thick mud.  From the hill the course straightened out into a true power section, making two 180s before heading by the pits.  After the pits, the course doubled back and headed through two crushed limestone sandpits.  After the second there was boggy mud leading to the barriers. From the barriers there was another sand pit, and an off camber hill and back to the big hill.  After a quick trip through several more sandpits, the course turned 90 degrees and passed back by the pits into a sweeping 180 to the left and back onto the cart path to the s/f.  

I got a good warm up in before the race and headed to staging.  Somehow I had enough crossresults.com points to get a first row spot.  We lined up, got instructions and were off.  I was sitting around fifth wheel as we headed out on the grass.  I was able to ride the first off camber and headed to the big hill.  I was somehow riding it, about 3/4 of the way up, when the girl in front of me when down.  I tried to maneuver out of the way, but the mud took me and I had to unclip.  My foot slid and I bashed my knee.  I shouldered the bike and ran to the top.  I was sitting in fourth as we came down.  I passed the two girls in front of me in the power section, but was geared wrong into the mud after the pit and had to dismount.  They got ahead of me.  I stayed with them through the barriers, the hill, and the sand pits (which were SO much fun to ride).  We wound to the cart path and I added gear and didn't look back.  I passed them both as we headed out for lap two.  Victoria, the girl sitting in third as I passed, later told me "You just took off.  I didn't know what happened."

Descending the mini Mt Krumpet *photo credit:  William Draper

Lap two and three were much better for me as far as execution.  I decided not to try to ride the hill, to run it and play to my strengths.  I also geared better for the muddy sections and was able to ride them without issue.  I was getting time gaps on the girl in front of me and knew I was closing it down.  As I headed out for the final lap, she was close enough that I was keeping her in sight on the entire course. I was heading up the hill as she was remounting.  I jumped on my bike at the top and watched her pull off the course.  She broke her derailleur.  All I had to do was keep it together and the W was mine.  And that's exactly what I did.  I rode smart and clean and crossed the line for the win.  I was still in disbelief as I got on the podium.  My wins in cx have been so few, and this was a big race.

On the podium with Skylar and Victoria.  These juniors are gonna kill it in a few years.  Watch for them!

I hadn't planned on the second race of the day because I was tired after my first run.  But, the numbers were low and I wanted to make sure the ladies at least had five in their race so they could earn upgrade points.  We ended up with seven total.  I did a short warm up to get my legs ready before heading to the line.  Ellie (the broken derailleur) and I were the only two who had doubled up.  The race was set for 35 minutes, but the official let us know to only expect three laps because the conditions had deteriorated so much.  I got a great start off the line and was third heading into the grass.  It was definitely muddier and slicker this time around.  I had to dab to get up the first little off camber.  In the power section I was able to pass the girl sitting in second.  I chased Ellie the rest of the race, closing her gap, but never catching her.  It was much muddier this time through, and the mud was sticking like crazy.  I think I spent half the race out of my pedals.  Getting out of the sand pits was proving to be interesting as well because a nice little lip had formed.  Midway through lap two, I went in for a different bike.  This is the first time I've ever done a bike change in a race.  I felt pretty good about it, but it took me a minute to adjust from Campy to Shimano.  I stayed on that bike through the end, finishing second for the race.

Sunday's weather was just awful.  I went down early to preride the course.  It was snowing with incredible winds.  The only changes to the course were that the 180s after the hill was removed and so were the barriers.  The rain and snow made it even soupier than it had been the day before.  I got a bad jump off the line and couldn't find my pedal.  I was sitting in 7th when we went into the grass.  I knew I would have to run more than on Saturday.  I rode down the off camber hill and dismounted and run up it.  I decided to run up and down the big hill and had moved into fourth by that point.  I passed two more girls as I headed into the mud.  Again I was geared poorly. I hopped off and ran through the first sand pit and got back on.  I rode into the second sand pit and mud that followed to where the barriers had been and couldn't ride through it.  I ran it and tried to remount, but the wind was so forceful I struggle to get on my bike.  I lost second place there taking three tried to get going again.  I finally ran a little ways and remounted.  I changed bikes on my second time past the pit in lap one.  I bobbled a few turns in lap 2, actually getting caught on one of the plastic stakes in the third section of the course.  I switched back to my Ridley as I went by the pit again because it's a better fit and I'm more confident on it.  My third lap was cleaner for me in that I didn't make as many riding errors.  My lines were better and I rode all the mud and the sand.  I finished third on the day, but this one was definitely not a great performance for me.  I was tired and let myself get pretty sloppy in execution.  

Overall these were great events for me.  I've had enough practice in the mud this year that I was confident in my handling.  That being said, I still learned some lessons about my gearing when I ride it.  I also got some great advice (from the "most influential person in cx") on my positioning in regards to dropping my heels a little more and pulling my knees closer to the bike to add some power.  I also got to meet some really cool people (people I follow on Twitter!) and catch up with some old friends.  For me, that's been the highlight of my cross season . . . new friends across the country.

Kyle Bainter Video of Saturday's Elite Races

This video is beautiful!  It shows the course conditions when the Elite Women and Men raced.  My second race was after the Elite Men.  Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy!