End Of The Race Season

2010 Mileage: 5195

Sunday was Springfield Oaks CX, the Michigan State Championship CX race. Saturday afternoon I started feeling like I was coming down with a cold so it was home and early to bed Saturday night and I actually woke up feeling pretty good Sunday morning despite the snow flurries outside. I got over in time to pre-ride a couple laps of the course before the C race and it was a pretty tough course with a whole bunch of off camber turns, the barriers placed on an uphill section and a flyover (steep stairset followed by a quick ride down). It was actually a fun course which was an awesome change from the bloomer race. During the C race I cheered Kate and Andrew on (Kate took 3rd and Andrew crashed out) while I was getting ready for my race next. As soon as they were off the course I went out for one more lap to try and get comfortable on the off camber corners. It was amazing how muddy they had gotten during the C race and how everything else was frozen.

I lined up 3rd row and even had to push my way up to there. It is amazing how early people are lining up at these races. The gun went off and my legs felt pretty good. I was mostly passing people and although sketchy at times I was taking the corners with one foot out and was able to save myself. My legs felt pretty good and my lap times were actually getting faster each lap as I was able to take the tougher sections with more speed. I had worked my way up to around tenth place when I crashed in one of those slick corners and a recovery would have been quick but I had knocked my front wheel out of line and had to stop and knock it back in to place. I watched five people pass me as I fixed my front wheel. That (my fifth of six) was by far my slowest lap and it came at a time where I was really picking up momentum and working my way up. I made three of the spots back as my last lap was my fastest and I really felt like I left it all out there. I ended the day in 12th place out of 31 starters. The legs felt better than bloomer and even with the crash it was a better day for me. I then got to get bundled up and drink beer while I watched the next two races. Not a bad day at all.

That cold has now come back to hit me full force but that's alright, no races 'til March. Prep starts as soon as I shake this cold though and its time to start the long slow miles again and work on the base. Too bad Per won't be around to join me on those rides this year.