Finally, after all this wait, I got to race in some cross races. I have been thinking about cross for a few years, and even tried one at Great Glen Trails a few years back. The only real thing I remember about that day is the amount of hurt that I put myself through. I remember crossing the line, passing the bike off to Kelly and telling her to leave me alone. I then went home and slept most of the day. I was more tired from that 40 minute race than I was from a 24 hour race.
Either way, drink enough of the “kool-aid” and you get back on the cross bike. This past weekend was Outdoor Demo East and the Providence Cross Festival. What a perfect opportunity to race being I was already going to be there for work.
So, I mounted up my trusty steed, signed up for a USA Cycling license (a proud cat 4 beginner) and got myself in some races. Wow, what a difference between a 30 minute cross race and a 24 hour race. I think my eyes were ready to pop out of their sockets from the beginning.
Day one, I really wasn’t sure what to expect, so I got on my Kinetic Rock and Roll trainer about an hour before the race started. After all, all of my riding was geared towards riding for 6+ hours. So, with some decently warmed up legs, we got the call ups to the line and BAM, the whistle was fired and we were off. There is nothing like a sprint up a hill to start off a race. Something that really boggled my mind was all the pushing and shoving that went on at the back of the pack of a cat 4 race. I mean, come on, throwing elbows to stay in 49th place?? Whatever. I crossed the line in 46 out of 64 about 5 minutes behind the leader. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect, so I really don’t think it was all that bad. Like I said, this was my first cross race and I had trained all year for endurance stuff. My shortest race up until that point had been 9 hours 47 minutes and now I want my body to sprint for a solid 30 minutes? I’m just glad I didn’t get lapped.
Day 2 was pretty much the same situation. Instead of warming up on a trainer, I rode around the park, just to get a different view. And just like the day before, BAM, sprinting from the beginning again. This time, I finished 48 out of 59 and wasn’t lapped. With knowing a little more what to expect, I wish I would have gone up a spot or 2, but still, I am really not all that disappointed. With a more technical course, I thought I would have moved up, but with the flats, the roadies just powered past me. Ohh well, that’s how it goes. Again, I really don’t think it was all that bad for my first 2 cross races at a national caliber event.
Out of all that happened this weekend, the biggest bonus would be the fact that I got a new nick name, trash can, which is shortened from the fact that I apparently look like a “trash can with legs”. Not too sure how I feel about that one.
Trash Can winding around the first corner:
Trash can looking good, ready to attack:
Trash can making my way up the barriers:
What’s on tap now? Well, a lot more interval training. I was going to ride outside this morning, but it was pouring (yes, I know traditional cross weather, but I only have to race in it, not train in it) so it looks like some quality trainer time and interval workouts tonight…good times. Coming up, I think at least 1 cross race this week, maybe 2 if I can find a close enough one on Sunday.
