Race Report: Bubba #1 Queeny Park

It's finally time for Bubba CX!  This year we started at Queeny Park.  I raced Queeny two years ago, but missed it last year do to Joules CX. The course used some of the same features as two years ago, but had a good deal of change as well.  It started uphill on pavement before hitting the grass and dropping into single track in the woods.  The single track sections on the entire course were mud.  Peanut butter is the best way to describe it.  After the first single track section, there was a nice grassy climb that led to an open field before you dropped back into the wood.  That drop in was downhill and to the left, tree roots and such as well.  I dabbed going through there on my warm up, but found throughout the race if I stayed high and left I rode it comfortably.  From there we wound around, had a nice big puddle that could be avoided, another 90 degree left in the mud before heading out to the path.  The path wound up the hill, a great climb! Then it went over into the grass hill side.  We went down the hill on a gravel path, 180 and out into the parking lot before hitting a short steep run up, 180 and down hill to the parking lot to a 180 and another run up.  From there we wound up the hillside, going anaerobic, back to the path, cut through the grass and the parking lot back to the finish.  1.54 miles in all.

Off the line headed to the woods.  *Photo Credit: Don McKinney

The weather couldn't make up it's mind.  Sunny one minute, totally overcast the next -- wind was continuous though.  I warmed up around the course and in the parking lot.  I felt really good going to the line.  We had five ladies in the A race and about 10 in the B race.  The whistle blew and Liz took off.  She got a little gap, but Cat was close and Britta was on her wheel.  I was sitting fourth and Teresa was behind me.  We hit the thicker mud and I realized I was geared wrong.  I could barely turn my pedals.  I managed to push through, but lost some ground.  I would need to work to catch back on.  I rode hard and clean, taking better lines than I had in my recon lap.  I hit the pavement climb and headed over to the grass.  My smalls were there cheering and that always gives me energy.  I did the first run up and got a surprise . . . they had added the second since my pre-ride.  Okay, off and up again.  I got back on the bike and began the slow grind up.  I added gear when I hit the pavement and pushed hard.  I got over by the pit and the course tape was broken.  Oh heck!  Which way do I go?  I went right.  I should have gone left.  I kept going, broke the tape twice and got back on the course.  In that I got the tape wrapped around my neck--I've got a pretty sweet abrasion on there from it.  Although I lost some time in that move, I saw Liz was close.  I was able to catch her.  As I pulled along side Liz, I could tell she was unhappy. I told her "then let's hunt Britta down. Come on!"

On the hunt for first *Photo credit: Don McKinney

I adjusted my gearing as I dropped back into the woods.  This time through was much better.  I came out and saw Cat and Britta climbing the hill.  I dug deep and went after them.  I passed them in the open field before we headed back into the woods.  Britta had responded to my attack and was with me.  I focused on riding good lines and staying up right.  She was on me until we hit the run up.  I dismounted at the bottom and took the inside line.  She tried to ride it and got about half way up and was forced to dismount.  Her dismount was awkard and she cut across and tried to run into my line.  I guess I've become a pretty aggressive racer because I'm not giving up my line that easily.  She tried to cut me off and I kept going.  She yelled "What are you doing?"  I said holding my line.  She said you can't run into me.  I responded "I didn't.  You need to learn how to ride your bike."  She got ahead of me on the remount and I took a little too much risk/speed on the downhill before the next run up.  I didn't go down or into the barriers, but I was a bit scared.  I was able to catch her wheel right after the pit and I sat on it until we went into the woods.  We had three laps to go. I saw the line she took in the mud and knew it wasn't good.  Sure enough, she almost went over and had to unclip.  I rode around her and focused and riding smart.

For the next three laps I would gain a gap through the single track and mud and she would close it down in the open sections and hills.  On the final lap I knew I need to get through the single track as quickly as possible because she would be powering through the open sections trying to catch me.  I also kept repeating to myself what Coach Chuck told me . . . the race was in front of me.  I needed to know she was back there, but not let it take my attention off what I had to do.  I got on the bike after the run ups and my legs were yelling at me.  I was worried that if it came to a sprint, I was history.  I didn't think I had the explosive jump left in me.  I reached the top of the grass climb and knew I needed to finish it off.  I revved up my cadence and added a gear, revved it up again and added another.  Push hard now and make a gap so a sprint isn't even an possibility.  I hit the grass by the pit and jumped back out in the parking lot.  I put my head down and added another gear.  I couldn't hear her, and hoped that I had the lead I needed.  The line was in sight . . . yes!!!  Put a notch in the W column.

The big puddle -- Yes, I did ride through it twice :-) *Photo credit:  Mike Dawson

Final lap -- but this was what it looked like most of the race. *Photo credit: Dennis Fickinger 

Race Report: Veldrijden Columbia 2012

I was so excited that this race got moved earlier in the season.  Last year it was after state and the turn out was light...such a shame because the venue is so awesome!

I got there early and pre-rode the course before the first race started. We had had a good rain the night before, so I knew we'd have some mud.  The course was very similar to last year.  The major change was that the sand pit was out (yeah me!), but after the single track section, there was a bit of climbing added.  Overall, a good course that suited me well.  I warmed up around the park and felt pretty good going to the line.  My only concern was the amount of guys I had seen flatting out in earlier races.  I had a bike in the pit, so while I might be delayed I flatted, I wouldn't be out totally.  And I knew what to look out for after rolling my tire on this course last year.

Unfortunately there were only three ladies (Cat, Allison) in the Open race.  The whistle blew and we were off.  Cat jumped out early and I was right behind her.  I couldn't get clipped in and my right foot kept slipping.  I finally got settled, but Cat had a little gap.  We circled around to the drop in for the first single track section.  With the rain it was slick, but not sloppy.  The drop in was short and turned hard left with tree roots all around.  I rode my brakes through it and stayed up.  Allison was behind me and ran it.  I heard her say "Come on Suzanne."  I guess she got momentum going faster than me.  I came up out of the woods and went after Cat.  I kept her in my sites through the barriers and next single track section.  We started the climb.  It went up, 180 down and 180 back up before a 90 turn.  I went too wide on the down hill turn and broke the tape.  I just kept going and headed up and across the hill and waited until Allison was right there and went back on with a smaller gap than I had on her before.  We headed back to the third wooded section and the tough hill.  Last year the hill was a hard climb, but doable.  With the soft ground and mud I had already decided it would be a run up this year.  It's the spot where I made up the most ground every lap.

Few things make me smile like splashing through a creek! *Photo credit: Mike Dawson

I knew I was closing ground on Cat.  We ran the stairs and headed to start finish and back around.  This lap I was much cleaner dropping into the woods.  I rode much more aggressively through the single track and rode the 180s on the back hill cleanly.  We hit the run up and I knew Cat was catchable.  I remounted the bike and headed across and down to the stairs. I shouldered the bike and ran hard.  I caught and passed her about three steps from the top.  I put my head down and pedaled.  For the rest of the race I concentrated on riding clean and gaining daylight.  My lead grew as the race went on, but I knew a mistake would be costly.  We ended up doing five laps on the race.  With two to go, I was approaching the stairs and saw my sunshine.  Boo was at the bottom.  He started heckling me and telling me he could beat me up the stairs.  I could barely talk, but said "Bring it, little man!"  He did.  I passed the start/finish and Larry teased me with lap cards but finally flipped to 1.  I got to race my little man on the stairs again, and this time had Bella, fresh from cheer camp with her pon poms.  It was the best last lap a momma could want!

That's a winner! *Photo Credit: Dan Singer

It's the first time I've had a lead to hold for so long.  I never let up because I was fearful one of the ladies would get a second wind and close it down.  It was a fun course, great win.  My struggle for the race was my pedals.  I will be detailing my cleats this week to get the extraneous mud out of them.  I talked myself through though and just kept turning them over while I worked to clip in.

Podium shot with Allison & Cat.  *photo credit: Dan Singer

Race Report: SuperPrestige CX La Vista Park

Originally I had said I wasn't going to do any of the SuperPrestige races.  I'm excited that there are additional cx options in the area, but I think I raced entirely too much last season and I needed to make a cut somewhere.  Well, I went back on my word.

Sunday we packed up and headed up to Godfrey.  It was about a mile and half course.  It had been well ridden because the grass was gone on most of it--it was dry, dusty dirt.  I pre-rode the course and was comfortable on it.  Nothing really technical, some longer climbs, a few off camber turns.  One set of tall barriers, one set of short.  I warmed up in the grass around the course, following the tape on the outside.

I was smiling early on . . . *Photo credit: Mike Dawson

We had nine very strong ladies in our field.  We got the whistle and were off.  Liz was first off the line with Carrie on her wheel and I jumped in third.  I was feeling great, doing well until the off camber switch backs.  My turns were off.  I couldn't seem to corner well and I didn't know why.  All of a sudden I had given up four places.  I started out on course again and still didn't feel right.  I couldn't figure it out until I tried to shift and felt like I was reaching.  My bars were tilting.  By the time I hit the pit, my levers were faced downwards.  UGH!

I switched bikes in the pit and took off.  Something was wrong though.  I felt too extended to get power on my pedal stroke. I remounted after the short barriers and could barrier swing my leg over the saddle.  Enough!  Racing, in spite of the 'normal' pain, is supposed to be fun.  This was sucking. I rode to start/finish and withdrew.

Lesson learned: I need to be better at checking my equipment. No one's fault but my own.  I spent the rest of Sunday afternoon making sure my bikes were in working order.  They were cleaned, lubed, and tightened.  This won't happen again.

Race Report: CrossVegas

It was finally here--Vegas, baby!  My first elite race.  I've been waiting for this race since I catted up in January and bought my UCI license.  Time to pit myself against the "big girls". While I had no delusions of granduer, I wanted to make a decent showing and not being totally outclassed.  Yeah, right!

The course for CrossVegas was tough but fun.  It was just at two miles.  The race started with a "hot lap" that looped around the upper field before taking a right down into the lower bowl.  There were no real technical pieces, the turns were smooth and fluid.  There was one set of normal barriers, up hill with a turn after, and three sets of 'stairs'--short barriers, four in succession, uphill with sand holding them in place.  The bottom half also had a hill that was brutal.  It was a long grinder, not to steep, just thick energy zapping grass.  The top section had a flyover ramp.  I loved it because you actually up and over the ramp.

I pre-rode several laps on Wednesday morning and got a good feel for the course.  I knew anyone who could ride the stairs would definitely have a time advantage, but that wasn't going to be me.  That's a skill I still need to develop.  I went back to the course around 4:30 to get my number and hang out.  It was fun to watch the USAC and Wheelers/Dealers race.  The temperature dropped a great deal once the sun went down.  I warmed up on a field adjacent to the course.  I did a few sprints and dismounts/remounts while spinning out my legs.  When the course opened I did another lap and then just rode around the hot lap section until we were called to staging.  Being as I have no UCI ranking, I was way in the back for the start.  I wasn't worried.  My goal for the night was to not be pulled, not be lapped and not be last.  We got the green light and took off.

Got greedy! *photo credit: cxmagazine.com

I've been in large cx races before, but this was craziness.  I was timid navigating the hot lap trying to get around ladies. We headed off onto the course and I felt better.  I passed a few ladies.  We hit the barriers and I felt smooth through those and the first set of stairs.  I lost a little ground on the switch backs climbing up the back side.  I finished lap one and headed back out.  I was to the barriers the second time and the camouflage guy jumped out . . . cash handups.  I thought about it and decided why not.  Well, he was a bit too close to the barriers and my dismount was a wee bit late.  I got off the bike but was carrying too much momentum and hit it.  Back wheel up, body forward, but I did not fall.  I stood up and smiled at the crowd, getting great cheers.  I hopped the barriers and remounted to realize my chain was off.  I put it back on and took off.  I had been passed by several girls and it was time to make up ground.  The rest of the race I concentrated on doing just that.

I was able to bring back two girls.  I rode well through the course, I just didn't have the go that the top ladies have.  I got better on the long hill each time, I think through endurance and finding the right body position on the bike.  We did five laps in all, each one was very fun. Having that large of a crowd cheering and heckling was an experience like no other. A lesson learned though: I need to be more aware of feed zone rules for cx though.  I know I could have taken a bottle at sometime, I just didn't know when and didn't want to chance it.  I was DRY by the time race was over.  While I didn't make a stellar showing, I met my goal for the race--I wasn't last, I wasn't lapped, and I wasn't DFL.  

On the line, waiting to go.  *Photo credit: cyclingnews.com

Hot lap -- see me in the back! *photo credit: velonews.com

Will I do CrossVegas again?  Absolutely.  It just remains to be seen whether or not I'll do the UCI race or the USAC race.  Either way, it's an experience not to be missed!

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: Gateway Cup

Friday--Lafayette

I got to the park and the rain started coming down in buckets. It was going to be a soggy one.  I got registered and dressed the rain dwindled.  By the time I was ready to warm up, it was drizzling at most.  I rode around the area, making sure I had good tire pressure and could corner well.  It came time to go to the line.  We were having some spurts of rain, but nothing like earlier.  17 women lined up, we got instructions and were off.  I didn't know most of the field and that always makes me a little nervous.  I knew I wanted to be upfront and out of any craziness.  We got our first prime about four laps into the race.  Right after turn 1 Tricia (Korte Hammerdown) took off.  I jumped and bridged up to her wheel.  I thought I we would be off, but right before turn three Stephanie, her teammate, led the pack back to us.  We turned the corner and Aimee (Michelob Ultra Big Shark) took off.  I wasn't anticipating her jump, so there was no way for me to grab her wheel without bringing the pack.  I sat up and let the other girls work.  She had a nice gap on the field, won the prime and kept going.  It didn't seem like anyone was working hard to bring her back.  For the next three laps or so, her lead was under 15 seconds.  I stayed second wheel to whomever was leading the chase, but refused to pull through.  I felt like I had it to bridge, but didn't want to bring the group.  Her lead then began to steadily grown.  About 25 minutes in we got a field prime.  I stayed in position until we rounded turn four and then got out of the saddle.  It was mine.  For the rest of the race I stayed second or third wheel and chased down anyone who decided to jump.  I knew Aimee's gap was good, but I didn't want anyone to get away.  We came down to the last lap.  I knew where the optimal sprint was and jumped when it was time.  I hit the line for a third place finish.

Sitting in and not letting anyone chase Aimee.  *Photo credit: Mike Dawson

Saturday--Francis Park

It was nasty humid again on Saturday.  The rain poured down as soon as I finished registering.  I sat in the car until it let up and then put the bike together and headed to the trainer tent.  I hate warming up on trainers because I don't ever feel ready to race.  Today was no exception.  I was also timid to start because I crashed on this course last year.  We had about the same number of ladies racing, a few sets of fresh legs though.  We got instructions and were off.  It rained on us mid race for about four laps.  There were lots of attacks coming from the usual suspects, but no one was letting the break go like the night before.  I never could get lined up for the primes in this race.  My positioning before turn four was okay, but not where I like.  I made sure I was close to the front, but didn't nab any.  The race once again came down to a field sprint.  My legs had ached most of the race and just didn't have it to be up front.  It was a sixth place finish on the day, leaving me in fifth place for the omnium.  Aimee lost the jersey to Tricia.

Wet once again!  *Photo credit: Don McKinney

Sunday--Giro

Once again overcast and muggy.  We got a few spurts of rain during warm up, but the race itself was sunny, hot and humid.  The kids had come with us to the race, so I knew I'd have a great day out there.

Did someone say prime??? *photo credit: Mike Dawson

We got instructions and took off.  I was feeling really good and was ready to make some noise during this race.  A few laps in we got a prime bell.  I know for this course you have to be in place before turn three or your chances are slim to none.  The HED girl jumped early on the backside and took off.  I was ready to chase her down.  We were both off the pack, with her having a slight gap on me.  I took turn four poorly and had to brake to avoid the curb.  I never was able to make up ground on her.  She was tired off her jump and I caught her just after the line, and the pack got us after turn one.  A few laps later the bell went again.  I wanted this one bad.  I was sitting up front and ready for any move.  No one went.  We made turn four and I sat on Aimee's wheel and let her take me to the fencing.  I was up and going.  I crossed the line and claimed it without issue.  On the back side Kelly (KC) jumped.  I didn't know if I could react and let the field chase her down.  I had to work the rest of that lap to get back on the pack.  Three laps later another prime.  Again Aimee tried to lead me out but the HED girl was a bit smarter this time.  We went to the line and she got me by a wheel.  Again the race was coming down to a field sprint.  I was sitting in a great position on Aimee's wheel coming down the hill to the finish when Amy McClintock (Team Rev) came on my inside in the gutter.  I went wide and lost my lead out.  I sprinted hard and went to the line against Aimee.  I was scored fourth, but the photos I've seen look like I edged her for third. Regardless, she (and Big Shark) had the leader jersey back.  I got a talking to from the official about not holding my line on the sprint.  I held my tongue and didn't give her excuses as to why.

Monday--Benton

Overcast and cloudy but no rain on Monday.  I got a great warm up in the neighborhood and was ready. I didn't get a front row position on the start, but was ready when the whistle came.  I knew for this race it could be easy for a break to make it so I wanted to be up front and ready.  The ladies had lots of problems with corners and lines in this one.  I'm really surprised no one went down.

Three laps in our first prime came.  I wasn't necessarily interested in it because I wanted to save my legs for the final sprint.  We made our final corner and one of the out of town girls jumped early.  No one went after her.  Well, if no one else is doing anything I might as well see what my legs had.  I'm assuming she thought it was hers because I took off and caught her without problem.  It wasn't even close at the line.  We started our way around again and crossed over by the brewery.  I heard "Go Mommy!"  My smalls were there.  I yelled "yes" and had a new sense of energy to race.

*photo credit: Mike Dawson

Two laps later the next bell went.  I had no intention of going for it, but again wanted to stay close.  I crossed the line third.  Another prime two laps later with similar results.  With two to go Tara (Michelob Ultra Big Shark) was ramping up the pace.  We were ready to hit turn six and there was a truck in the middle of the course.  I know I yelled "oh shit" and we somehow maneuvered around it.  Final lap--I was where I wanted to be through six.  The back of the pack swarmed and as we made the final turn I found myself blocked in.  I started my sprint early to make up the ground I had lost and gained several places.  I found myself going against Aimee at the line again.  She took sixth and I got seventh.  It was enough for her to win the omnium, but knocked me off the podium for the weekend.

Overall I was pretty happy for the weekend.  My legs felt great and I was able to mentally talk myself through races where I was uneasy.  My bike handling was what it should be and I felt like I had my sprint back.  I reinforced to myself that I'm better off warming up on the road versus the trainer.  If I could change anything I would've jumped sooner on some of the finishing sprints.  I think I probably had more in my legs than I gave myself credit for.

Race Report: Edwardsville Rotary Criterium

I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night to race than Saturday.  It was sunny, low 80s and one of my favorite courses.  It's a figure 8 course with some tight turns and narrow streets on the backside.  They also offer a sweet purse so it attracts a ton of people.  Plus the town did a great job of promoting the race with a course side pub crawl, so the streets were packed with spectators.  The icing on the cake was this is the first race all season my kids have been there. ;-)

I warmed up on one of the local bike trails.  I did a few hard efforts to get my heart rate up and rolled back up to the course.  They were a bit behind because of a nasty crash that had happened a few races before, but they were making up time during the kids races.  I got to do two laps on the course and get good luck kisses before rolling to the line.  We had 23 ladies in our field -- some very strong and a few very new Cat 4s.  The whistle blew and we were off.  The first lap was calm, everyone feeling each other out.  We rolled through start/finish to the sound of a prime bell.  My legs felt good, so I was considering going for it.  I was in a decent position up front after turn six, but Britta just took off.  She got a great jump on the field and while a few ladies gave chase, there was no catching her.  We came back together and went around again for another prime.  I'm not sure who took that one, but it was not a gimme.  Around lap six or so I had another rider come into me right before turn three.  My back wheel slid a bit and I was definitely uneasy for a few laps.  I felt myself migrating to the back and then having to fight to catch back on after turn five.  I had a good minute of self-talk/lecturing about trusting my handling equipment and knowing that I needed to be sitting no further than fifth wheel.  I moved back up and got myself refocused.  I looked at the lap cards and outwardly groaned when I saw we still had 25 laps to go.  This race was going to wear me out!  We got two more primes around laps 10 and 12.  By this time there were ladies contesting them hot and heavy.  Jamie launched a nice attack after Emilie won one of them.  Carrie led the chase and I went up and took over for her to jump on Jamie's wheel.  We settled back in and the laps counted down.  Another prime with 12 laps to go, and I knew I didn't have the legs to fight for it.  My goal was to race smart and to be there for the finish.  The race was filled with attacks and speed, but nothing was able to stick.  I got to hear "go Mommy" every time I hit the backside of the course.    

We got the bell lap and the real race was on.  There was lots of posturing as we entered the chicane.  I got aggressive and went for the wheel of the lady sitting third, much to the chagrin of another racer who was going after the same wheel.  She yelled me a bit and holding a line.  I just yelled back sorry and she kept ranting.  We came around turn five and I saw Jamie signal Emilie -- she was giving her a lead out.  Try as I might to jump on Emilie's wheel to take advantage of the free ride, I couldn't do it.  Britta jumped after turn six again and it was one.  Carrie and Emilie chased, with Ashley and Trisha getting up there as well.  I managed to stay up front with them and sprint against Jamie to take 6th at the line.  Carrie won -- fitting as it was her birthday.

In line with some strong ladies.  *Photo credit: Dennis Fickinger

Where's my smile??? I look mad and mean. *Photo credit: Dennis Fickinger

A piece I realized during this race is that often I am unaware of what is going on behind me in a larger field.  I didn't realize we had dropped some ladies until we started to lap them.  I work hard to be positioned at the front so I don't fall victim to crashes, etc happening in front of me, but often I don't know who is left.  That bothers me somewhat, but when I mentioned it to Coach his comment was the race is front of you unless you're on a flyer or lapping the field.  Point taken!