Lembi and Super Prestige

It's been an exciting two weeks of 'cross racing. First up was the classic Lembi Park race hosted by Sac CX, a great local race that has a special place in my heart. It was at this race two years ago that I was introduced into the world of bike racing. I was the person racing a mountain bike with tennis shoes. Here's the unfortunate proof:


I'm pretty sure it wasn't even cold that day, but that grimace is definitely a smile in disguise. Needless to say, I was hooked. I went to one more 'cross race that year, at Howard Park and then my first road and mtb races in the 2012 season.
This year was different. I have been recovering from (what I think was) a torn hip flexor, and have missed the most recent cross races. Also, I'm training hard for next years road season, so I haven't been going out to the park to practice dismounts and skills as often as I would have liked. None the less, I lined up with the stud women of the A class and got ready to have it handed to me. I only hoped Ellen wouldn't lap me, 'cause that would just be embarrassing. I started out of the gate hard. Way too hard. There was no way I could hold the pace and I started slowing down dramatically. I decided that instead of worrying about my placing, I would focus on skills and handling. Unlike all previous cross races, I was actually riding at a pretty good clip. So fast that I slid out around the hairpin before the run-up. This was actually exciting. To be going fast enough to slide out in a corner was huge. I was actually fit enough to fall! So cool. I finished the race with only one more minor mishap. One the second to last lap, I misjudged the timing for dismounting over the double barriers and my bike crashed into it. It whipped around and smashed me in the leg. I recovered, but the bruise was epic.
 
The best part of the racing local is the atmosphere and I was happy to hang out with the gheto.cx crew and heckle the elite men. So much fun.
Then the weekend after I headed down to Sierra Point to race Bay Area Super Prestige. This is the night race. The event of my cross season. So exciting. I even got a new pair of socks to rock.

They are so rad! ;) Best socks ever
I drove down with a fellow girl racer and the atmosphere when we got to the venue was just amazing. We could see the course lit up and the tape going pack and forth as we were driving up, there were racers warming up and the announcers over the PA. I was already excited and feeling the adrenaline. Unlike the Sac CX series, they don't let you warm-up on the course, but I had been there last year and knew what to expect, so I wasn't that bothered by only have ridden a half-lap before rolling up to the start line. Then I got placed into the grid. Ick. I have been following awesome racer Emily Kachorek as she races around the country and she talks about starting in last place. Now I finally understood. Here is her awesome website: #ghetomoto
I was last. Literally. There were 28 fit, competitive B women in front of me. The race started and it was a cluster. I had to use some mental strength not to get frustrated and still ride smooth. As my carpool partner knows, I get severely frustrated in traffic. Luckily there was a bit of a mud section that slowed some people up and I took the opportunity to shoulder my bike and run past a bunch of racers. I settled in and started to get familiar with the course and try to make up places. As I was riding past the heckle zone, I head some people start cheering for me! I was so excited! Some of the Sac crew was at the race and they were heckling away! There is nothing like having people to support you at the races. Nothing like it. I got a fresh wind and passed another racer. I was feeling good. There was one lap to go. I had no idea of my place, but I could see a racer in front of me. I decided to catch her. I made up some time up the stairs, but couldn't get clipped in after the ramp and lost a little space to her. Then we hit the kitty litter and I was on her wheel again. There was one more dirt section and then the finish. One chance left to pass her. I have big gears on my bike, down-shifted and came around her. When I hit the pavement, I gave it everything I had left so she wouldn't pass me. I finally crossed the line and my place didn't matter. I had a great race and gave it everything. I ended up on the podium (5th) and that was just the icing on the cake. All the people out there I talked to were so supportive and the great atmosphere made everything worth it. Especially the Sacramento crew. So much fun. That is why I race my bike.

Just a note: please click on the highlighted links. They are good websites run by good people.