Don't Call it a Comeback

This past weekend was my first race weekend in almost 2 years.  The first one since I broke my arse.  The first one racing completely unattached and with absolutely no idea what "fast" was anymore.  That's a lot of pressure for one silly weekend, isn't it?
 

Stray bike-racer on the ferry

 

After a run to storage Friday morning (you can blame me for the colder weather this week - I went to storage to retrieve summer-y clothes), dodging Cherry Blossom tourists for openers at Hains and picking up a stray bike racer, we were finally on our way.  The stray bike racer had sent out a rabbit to scope traffic for us.  Ok, in reality, the stray bike racer's wife was ahead of us by about an hour and was gracious enough to call with traffic tips.  The HOV lane was key to getting out of the area as was the Jamestown Ferry to avoid 64 traffic.  I believe that was the first time I've been on a car-ferry.  It was a cool option - and it was free!!

Bike racks rock ... as long as my bike is comfortably inside!

Finally get to the right hotel (did you know there were 2 Hiltons in Suffolk??  me, neither) around 8pm and the search for food was ON.  Strike 1: Hotel restaurant telling us that they just let half their staff go right before taking a huge order as we were walking in.  Strike 2: Panera- they had just closed (it was past 9pm by then).  3rd time's the charm: Applebees, which was apparently the hot-spot for Suffolk ... definitely the place to get your FUNK on.  We spent most of dinner trying to remember the names of songs or the bands as they came on (is that Kool and the Gang? oohh ... young Prince! etc).  I don't remember falling into bed but before we knew it, the alarm was going off.  I gently (eg: if you want a ride home, you'll do it) persuaded the boys that they had to get up and go to my race since I was going to have to sit around for theirs.  We gathered for our free hotel breakfast (compliments of the apologetic waiter from the night before) and piled into our car.  Away we go! ... until we heard the tell-tale flop of a flat tire.  Luckily, the Evo girls hadn't left yet so they graciously loaded up my bike and made room in the car for me to crash their party, yet again.

A quick warm up on the trainer as I assessed the course ... flat, fast.  One 90degree turn, two sweeping turns and another tighter turn but not quite 90 degrees.  Decent field, several Artemi and a couple other two-offs.  The rain held off but it was gloomy and humid (it rained for the boys later).  I didn't really have the pre-race jitters, I think the morning's flat tire debacle had taken those away.  Off we went.  I stayed near wheels I knew and worked on moving through the pack.  I was surprised at how comfortable I was - something about being in the race makes you think less about the race, if that makes sense.  The Artemi commenced the attack/counter attack move but were off on timing.  By the middle of the race you could read them like a book.  I sat on one wheel and followed it when she went.  About 1/4 of a lap later, she flicks her elbow to tell me to pull through. Nice try.  When she looked back, I simply said - for the first time in years - sorry, I don't have any teammates.  She said "neither do I up here", completely missing the point - I knew it wasn't going to stick and I wasn't going to wear myself out so her teammates could counter.  I've been out of the game for a while but I still know how to PLAY the game.  

At one point I heard someone go down behind me in the 90degree turn - just kept pedaling and made sure the boys saw me the next time around so they wouldn't worry.  I followed a move with 3laps to go that I probably shouldn't have.  I spent a lap recovering and found myself in the back for 1 to go.  Things got a little sketch around turn 3 and was all out in turn 4 so I sat up.  I am probably listed as dead-last (some issue with lapped riders getting scored on the lead lap).  I don't care.  I accomplished my goal for the day - stay upright.  I survived my first race.  I was never in trouble, I got to play a little and generally remembered why I love to race.

Long drive home, fell into bed again and the alarm went off wayy too early again.  Didn't really have to load up since we didn't really unpack.  Added a clean kit and some fresh bottles and away we go - again.  The boy's race was before mine and all I kept hearing was how hard this course was.  Sweet.  Started to warm up on the trainer but decided the road was better - even seeing the course backwards was better than not seeing it at all.  The boy's race looked like a cluster and I was glad to see everyone came out of it no-worse for the wear.  We met briefly between races so he could put the "fast" wheels on my bike and I set off for the start line.  It was great to see some friendly faces and chit chat with girls I've raced with for years but haven't seen since I went MIA. 

The ref gave the go-ahead and we started off.  And I heard that tell-tale flop of a flat tire, only this time on the bike.  I pulled off and immediately got some assistance from the aforementioned stray bike racer (picking up strays pays off sometimes! kidding, thank you!!)  I rolled back to the car, letting the boy know what happened since he'd worry if he saw the race roll around and I wasn't in it.  I have to admit there were tears - mostly from adrenaline that went unused but some out of sheer disappointment that my first "real" race back was a FAIL.  Thanks to Jen, who came over to chat and catch up, which helped (temporarily) keep me from wallowing in the situation.  I know it wasn't anyone's fault but dammit, can't SOMETHING go easy on this comeback trail? 

So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  On to Jeff Cup next weekend ... here's hoping for sunny weather and tires full of hot air.

TGIF 3/9/2012

This has been a big week for me.  I *finally* caved and ... wait for it ... joined Facebook.  Egads.  While reaction has been generally positive ("welcome to the 20th century", "i can't believe you finally caved!"), the boy had entirely too much fun giving me a hard time about it.  I'm still trying to figure out the ropes and, from what I understand, everything changes on a regular basis anyway so I won't be too far behind everyone else.

I haven't yet shifted to Facebook mentality, though.  First, it's really hard for me to "friend" someone.  It feels like I'm begging for attention.  I'm sure it's not really like that but ... it's a weird feeling for me.  I've always followed the : I'm out there, if you want to find me, you can - theory.  But, if I'm going to do this, I have to give it a fair chance.  Another thing - you guys are so good about taking and posting pics of what you're doing or what you're seeing.  I log into my account and remember - oh, I should have had my camera for that - or, eh, no one cares that I have a pic of the boy watching "Space 1999" on his computer last Friday night.  If you don't know what Space 1999 is, well, I think you're among the majority.  

Other random things - I don't see the ticker on the newsfeed.  I've read that everyone hates it but I still want the option to love or hate it.  The help page and the internet tell me that I clearly must not have enough activity (oh, woe is me, i'm sooo alone on facebook....) so I have tried to post something or visit a couple times a day.  It took me a good day to figure out the wall vs newsfeed.  On the plus side, I have reconnected with a few friends that I haven't spoken to in a while and it's kind of fun to see what is going on - real-time.  So, for now, it's kind of a social experiment. 

The week got off to a good start on Sunday night - I decided to download my tax software and just wound up doing my entire tax return.  Part year-resident in MD and VA, plus a rental property and income from different states - eesh.  It'd be really fantastic if the powers that be would just simplify the tax structure and perhaps make a flat tax or consumption tax ... all the loopholes and traps that you can find or get caught in just eats up time, money and sanity for everyone.  But, our "leaders" (LINO- leaders in name only?) are more concerned with campaigning, soliciting donors for their campaigns and giving aforementioned donors "special' exceptions or favorable loopholes.  So, us commonfolk get shafted in the end.

I digress.  That wasn't the "good start" that I intended to note:  the good start was that I was in the black and Uncle Sam (along with MD and VA) owed me.  Three cheers for electronic filing, I already have my state refunds and the federal one should be along shortly.  This should help cover the wireless SRM I just put on my bike along with the wheels I just bought.

The boy was sick last week - the whole week.  He handled it well but I could tell he was in pretty bad shape.  I thought I escaped the germs but ... notsofast.  I felt it coming on Wednesday but that didn't stop me from doing some VO2s at Hains.  Wednesday night found me sleeping on the couch as I didn't want the boy to suffer through my nose-blowing and coughing routine.  Yesterday was a bit of a blur.  I had full intention to do my workout, though - until the boy ratted me out to my coach.  It was ok, though, by the time I got home it was all I could do to suit up and do 1/2 hour spin on the rollers.  The trouble last night was that the moment I laid down, all the congestion gathered in my head.  I've been visualizing a release valve in my head to relieve the pressure.  TheraFlu, EmergenC, Vitamin C, Zicam ... you name it, I'm doing it.

My score so far is 2 boxes of kleenex and I'm well into #3.  Here's hoping for some sleep tonight, and maybe even an easy ride tomorrow.  Hey, a girl's gotta have her goals.

Happy Friday, everyone. 

Don't You Love Training Ride Reports?

I'm going to be that girl - the one who details every move of her recent training rides.  I find it entertaining and, frankly, I enjoy rambling so it works for me. 

The last two weekends have been chock-full of awesome rides- two 10am adventures, some intervals at Hains to break things up and two - count them - two Union Bridge rides.  Mileage is really adding up and I'm feeling those back-to-back hard efforts.

The 10am is ... well, the 10am.  Everyone knows it.  I've often been heard saying that all the fast girls ride with the guys, so off I go.  I hold my own most of the time and everyone's friendly, with the occasional exception of an insecure guy who has something to prove.  For the most part, I have a bunch of big-brothers there who are willing to let me hang on as long as I'm willing to suffer.  

This week it was windy as heck - I ran into a few people I hadn't seen in a while and all I could say in answer to "Hey, how are ya?" was ... "just trying to find shelter".  That was the name of the game for me.

I knew I was in trouble when the line I was in started to paceline.  I have absolutely no business taking the front when I'm playing with the big boys - especially when there's a couple dozen guys sitting on.  That said, I took my pull because I'm NOT going to be the "girl" that eff's up the paceline.  Then I silently slipped back a little ways, desperately trying to find the lung that I just lost.  I was in good shape ... until I wasn't.  I somehow found the breath to tell the boy to "just go ... leave me, save yourself".  I'm not sure I actually said all of that - but I was thinking it.  The Artemis boys (who had already done the 7am) immediately picked me up, gave me a second to recover and off we went.  Really, that's what I needed - just a second to recover.  That is more than what's on offer if you want to play with the big boys.

We - the Artemi and I - took the left at Esworthy and swore we'd get caught by the lead group.  We picked up a couple others, played up and down the hills on the way in and made it to Beach/East-West with plenty of time to spare.  In other words, we weren't soft-pedaling in.  I met up with the boy and limped home. 

On to Union Bridge:

The first UB ride (President's Day) was the inaugural ride for the boy and the first time for me in almost a year.  We dragged another couple along for good measure - thankfully, they were up for the challenge.  The general rule on this ride (for me) is that beating the 4hr mark means you're rolling.

As for our guest couple:  The Mrs. loved the hills while the Mr. - kind of new to long-hilly-rides - gets the gold medal for getting through his longest ride to date, with only 23 on the back and even keeping a smile - or was that a grimace?  The boy was awesome, helping the Mr. up the climbs when needed and generally giving tips and being supportive while the Mrs. and I chased each other up and down the hills.  Final ride time - 4:07.  Not too shabby for the first time out!

The next go-round happened faster than even *I* thought.  We decided to head back only 6 days later (this past Sunday - mere hours after the 10am detailed above).  The Mr. and Mrs. were OoT, so we grabbed one of the boy's teammates and off we went.  To be honest, I was pretty tired.  I knew I had to get through, though - I was the only one who knew the route! 

Every time I take someone new on this ride, I hear the same responses when we turn certain corners or something comes into view.  I try to warn people but ... this is one you just have to be there.  When we get to the quarry (it looks like something out of the mad-max film genre), I know I'm going to be ok.  There's a mid-point stop if you want it - if it's super cold or we don't need food/water, I tend to just keep rolling.  The way out is harder than the way back, with the exception of 6 long-ish "sawtooth" type hills that show up (one after the other) with about 17miles to go.  You're already tenderized and enjoying a nice roll back until you turn the corner and see hill #1.  Newbies on this ride usually say "HOLY S@#$" right about this time.  The first one is the worst, with the 2nd hill a close contender (this one even gives you a place to pray for strength at the top - ever notice there's often a church at the top of a hard climb?).  The last two - you see the end in sight and you're just surviving.  Oh, and the last one has -you guessed it- a church at the top!!

I was the weak link in this threesome -again- all the fast girls ride with the guys, right?  That said, it didn't stop me from trying a few sign sprints or charging on my favorite stretches.  I am VERY goal-oriented and our goal was to beat our prior record.  We failed to inform the teammate of this goal - this didn't become an issue until we were still pushing the pace through the neighborhood where normal people would spin a little, cool-down and congratulate themselves on surviving. I heard the teammate say (under his breath) "aren't we going to cool down?" I smiled and breathed "we're trying to beat our last record".  He took it well - or he didn't try to push me off my bike so I assume he took it well.  Final time:  3:50. 

SUCCESS!!  Now - on to beating THAT record.  Maybe after a little recovery.