FSC #4 Alafia

I had an awesome pre-ride with the Cycle Youth boys on Saturday. And unlike in the past, the race course was smooth and fast (not a power course).  So on race day, with my lowered expectations and treating the race as a training ride, I still secretly hoped to be up on that podium.

While in Gainesville I had a good start, it was not the case at Alafia.  Before the race, my Dad switched out my broken pedals and replaced them with my Mom's (which are super stiff).  So after the whistle blew, I took off and couldn't get clipped in, which caused me to slip a pedal. Not liking the change in the race course already (leaving out North Creek first lap), I knew I was in big trouble.  I was thinking to myself, these ladies are going to crush me on the flats.  And I was right, I was almost the last one to reach the  singletrack.

Being at the back of the bus, I knew I had some serious catching up to do.  On the first lap, I was feeling very strong. I was using my gears more (thanks to Coach Chris), and was able to pass 3 women. Continuing on with the second lap, I was still feeling great. I passed another racer on North Creek, and ended up finishing the race not having a clue as to which place I came in.  After hearing from my parents that I came in 6th place out of 12 racers, I was okay with that. I felt like I gave it everything I had, and if 6th was the best I could do, well then so be it.  But...when I found out a couple minutes later, that I actually came in 5th place, I couldn't stop smiling.  Apparently, one of my favorite lady racers cut the course by accident, and forgot to do Roller Coaster on her second lap. So while she went back out to complete her lap, I was bumped up to 5th.  So I was able to get my podium finish after all:)

Team Cycle Youth is sitting in 1st place!!!

   Congratulations to the entire Cycle Youth team.  And thanks to Mrs. Mace and Miss Christie for the pictures.

FSC #3 Hailes Trails

Well, I got a good start.

Thanks for the picture, Mrs. Mace

And that... would be about it.  About 3 quarters in on the 1st lap, I flatted.  I had no CO2's with me, and even if I did, I wouldn't know what the heck to do with them anyway. So trying not to freak out, I pulled out my phone, and called my Dad. I know the rules about getting help, but I didn't plan on finishing the race anyway, so I didn't think it would be a big deal for him to fix my tire. Well apparently, it was a big deal because I got scolded by a lady in my class. So, the first opportunity I get, I will learn how to fix a flat tire!!! (I should already know how to do that anyway)

Believe it or not, I'm Okay with how things turned out (after crying a little, of course).  Thinking back, the pre-ride with the Cycle Youth boys was awesome, and I think I did pretty good on the time trial.  But, with the already fast women in my group plus a couple more dropping down from the sport class...top 5 just wasn't a realistic goal for me anymore.  So, I'm going to have fun, pedal forward, and think of the remaining races as training for next year.              

The Real Me

Just wanted to clear a few things up.  I know when reading my race reports sometimes it seems as though I'm feeling down or just have a little bit of a bad attitude.  Which is partly true.  I will be the first one to admit that I'm a "poor sport" (in the sense that I hate losing).  Oh yeah, this goes way back.  For instance, back in pre-K my Mom told me I was depressed for a week because a girl named Rachel in my class could color better than me.  And oh yeah, when I was in kindergarten, it took 3 teachers to calm me down because my teacher gave me a mark on my card for talking.  I wasn't mad I got in trouble, I was mad because Jack in my class had never had a mark on his card-which made him the winner of the "no marks on the card club".  I could go on and on.  I have to run the fastest mile in gym class (not just the girls, but the boys too). I must have the highest test scores in all of my classes.  I try to create the best science projects and write the perfect Tropicana speeches.  I'm not too good of a team player and when things don't go my way, I get grumpy. Yes, the list is never ending.  But that's just me...and I can't change who I am.

So please keep in mind when reading my blog. I'm a lot stronger than you think.  Things just get a little frustrating sometimes.  That's it.  See you at the next race- Hailes Trails- wa-hoo!!          

FSC #2 Fort Clinch

Okay...what happened to all of the junior girl racers????  

2007 Gainesville 6-11 girls (that's me at 6 in the red and white jersey)

Because racing with the women is driving me crazy!!!  I never know what to expect. I did my homework.  I looked at the fastest lap time from last year at Fort Clinch and thought to myself, no problem, I can do that.  But who would have thought 13 mph would be the fastest time this year.  13...really????, that's pretty fast to be in with the beginner women, don't you think???

Anyway, the race was a controlled start, but not as far as last year.  Which left a lot of road riding until you reached the single track.  Definitely the worst case scenario for me.  I was left in dust and  entered the woods in almost last place. I did feel a little better in the beginning after passing 2 women on a climb.  And later on, I guess another racer didn't want to let me pass because as soon as I tried, she fell on top of me (just kidding...she didn't mean to, she's super nice).  After that, sometime or another I smacked my knee on a tree which caused my speed to go down during the second lap.  And the rest of the race was a blur.  I ended up placing 8th out of 14.

Blah, Blah...enough of the excuses, it was...what it was.  And that's that.  I'm just going to keep on pedaling.  Just like in the picture above-when I was 6 racing the 11 year old girls-there was no way to beat them.  But every once in while one would crash or have a little bobble and then little me would just slip on by. So my plan for the rest of the race season is to keep up the training and see if  I can get them on the more technical courses.  And if that doesn't work, HOPE.  Hope that I grow!!!  Because this whole not getting on the podium thing, is not working for me!!!

2007 Reddick 4th place (It's hard to believe that I'm the same age as them now) 

FSC #1 Tallahassee

Practice on Saturday was crazy (and fun). The course was a disaster and filled with rivers. And it probably would have been easier to put on my bathing suit and swim the course rather than bike. So, with the trail conditions, I do have to admit, I was a little relieved to hear that Dave cancelled the time trial.

Race Day... After warming up the legs, it was time to wait. I think lining up and waiting for the white wave to begin is always the worst.  Yep, that's when the nerves start to kick in.  I would much rather show up to the race 10 seconds ahead of time and just go.  But, no I've got to stand there and wait...and wait, which gives me way too much time to think.  This time all I thought about was 17.  17 women I've got to race.  Was my goal to be in the top 5 realistic???

Finally... Dave blew the whistle and we were off. I'm not 100% sure, but I think I was 5th getting to the singletrack.  During the race, one of the racers slid out in front of me, so I was able to pass her.  Then, another one passed me, which put me back in the 5th position.  I continued on with the course following the advice Coach Chris gave as to which lines to take.  And before I knew it ,I was done with my second lap and crossing the finish line in 5th place.    

  

Congratulations to the entire Cycle Youth team, you guys did awesome!!  See you at the next race.

Flair Anyone???

1. Take one somewhat dorky kids camelbak
2. Find a nice lady named Peggy
3. Have her sew those awesome T6 patches on it
4. And BAM...you got yourself one cool and most definitely unique hydration pack 

Upcoming Race Season

I will be going into this race season totally different.  For the first time ever, I've actually trained!!!  Back in January, Coach Drew set me up on a training program and I have stuck with it ever since.  I'm not as lucky as most racers are in being able to train on actual mtb trails.  No...the nearest place to ride is about an hour away, so I've been stuck on the trainer during the week.  Anyway, I have come to look forward to my weekday training sessions.  I blare my Rise Against (which I'm pretty sure all the neighbors can hear) and can't wait to check out my results on the Garmin.

And finally...I'm 11 and 11 lbs heavier!!!  Last year around this time I weighed a whopping 66 lbs.  I don't think I'm much taller so, hopefully I gained the weight in muscle.  (I do seem to have some extra meat on my thighs) So, hopefully this will help me a little when racing against those women. I think this race season is going to be a lot of fun and I'm happy to be a part of the Cycle Youth Team.