Crosswinds Race Report

I have had so many ideas for blogging today, including why being a nag can work in your favor, and how the athlete I am today is a direct result of every moment spent playing soccer. Fortunately for you, I will just blog about my first bike race...but don't worry, the other posts will shortly follow :)

Crosswinds Classic

I think I have a lot of misplaced fear. I will walk up to big guys in the hood and their pit bulls and lecture them on taking better care of their dogs while snuggling up to the puppies. I don't even think my HR elevates. Yet I sign up for a simple bike race and I feel completely stressed and intimidated.

I wanted to withdraw from the race almost right after I signed up. Lack of fitness, haven't ridden the road bike in years, didn't want to embarrass myself, etc. No one would let me pull out (thank you friends!), and I drove up to the race solo.

Once I warmed up on Big Blue (the good old friend that he is), I was fine. Although I was panicking with complete discomfort the day before, the moment I started warming up before the race I was fine.

I had so may sweet friends help me calm down and encourage me, including Tim (above) and Curt. Both guys made it to the start line and just reminded me to ride like I did with the guys. Curt also gave me some great advice as I rolled out....he said, "Damie, turn off your head."

Off I rolled with the small Cat 4 field as a solo rider. It was a very small field of inexperienced riders, so I fit right in. Charlie and others had told me to try to do as little work as possible, as they felt the teams would try to isolate me and force me and my enthusiasm to pull too much. I did exactly what they said- I worked a little when it was fair, and when the other teams weren't doing their share, I didn't either. I honestly felt great the whole time.

I would recap the whole race, but most of you have done a road race and probably already know that 1. the ride is way too slow at some points, 2. tactics, especially with teams play a huge role, and 3. when you finish the race, you can always think of something you would have done differently.

I finished 2nd in the Cat4 race...happy with winning the sprint at the end with the group, but very frustrated I hadn't been competing for 1st place (as the girl had rolled off of the front on accident and the rest of us idiots sat back there and argued over who would do some work). I am sure that this race was slower and less tactical than most races as it was a small field and only contained cat4. It will be interesting to try to ride with the big dogs at a race and see how differently the experienced girls ride. I have a lot to learn.

The great news is....I am fit. Not ironman fit, yet, but in a good place coming out of the winter. This was only my 2nd ride or so on the road in 2 months, and it felt like I have been out there all winter. I was ready for every surge, pace line, sprint, etc.

Overall, I had an absolute blast. The girls in the group were all friendly and a lot of fun. Once we started riding, the intimidation was gone and it turned into a great ride. It was such a positive first experience that I will definitely do one again. Thank you to the girls at the race for including me in a great day, and thank you to my friends that forced/encouraged me to get the start line: Dave, Lucho, Tim, Curt, Alyson, Charlie, Joy.

Sunday we had a mini-party for Dave's birthday. We are exactly one month apart, so I get to date an older man for the next few weeks. :)