Crusades 3&4 - No time anymore

Well, just like that we are halfway through the crusade season and I have had no time for writing here. I like to use this blog to reflect, to set goals, and to get psyched in a way, I haven't had much time for that. Work, training, and coaching are keeping me slammed...No complaining though, I love what I am doing.

Here's how it's gone down-
PIR - Crusade 3: I had a great race, the results don't show it, but I felt amazing, and I moved up the entire race as well as won a few little battles within the race. I had started in the very last row but rode smart and fast and kept calm. It was sunny and warm and just a great day to be out racing cross on a flat fast course. I think this course suited where I am at with fitness and I felt like I had some power in the legs when I needed. It was the first race on a new cross bike for me and I couldn't have been happier about how the bike rode and performed, this bike is sweeeet - a huge thanks to trek and to sunnyside for setting it up. I will get some photos up of it and more details, but sufice to say it was a big step up in performance from old bike which I thought was just fine.

Wash County- Crusade 4: I was looking forward to moving back up where I wanted to be, I had a great start position, and it was a similar course to the previous week with no rain and mostly flat and fast. I started great and held a good position for the first half of the race, I just didn't have the legs though. About halfway through I started losing ground and fading back, I couldn't hold the pace on the long power sections and there was big group behind me that came right past. I was pretty destroyed by the end, but it was certainly a good workout so I know that the racing will pay off.

Though the last couple races didn't go as I liked I am psyched about how the season is progressing. I realize that it's a real long one this year so I am not worried about how I am finishing yet, I feel like I am still building fitness and I will be fresher and stronger at the later races which is what I am hoping for. We're headed back east for thanksgiving this year which also means a chance to jump into a race in New England and test the fitness. I also just locked down a ticket to Madison for cyclocross nationals. Even if the crusades are already half done,the season is just getting going!

This weekend is the Halloween races and Bend is hosting the crusades and it's the Day of the Dead Cyclocross Festival which means no driving and also means that we are going to put on a party like no other...check out the events planned >>Printable Schedule and come out to see the team race. We'll see you out there!

Cross Crusade #2 Rainer

Meh, that's my feeling about the race. I felt like I went way harder and pushed myself more than Alpenrose, and I ended up 7 spots further back. I just didn't have it after the climb and couldn't recover after the power stuff out in the woods.

That's not to say that it wasn't a good race, just not thrilled with my result. The course is great though, I love that it's a combo of all skills, there's sections for everyone, I just need more fitness. It was a little frustrating with the lap count. We should have had one more lap to go and when we came through and I had saved a little something for that last lap. They finished everyone (not because we were getting lapped) without warning.

It was so rad to be there for Serena's first cross crusade win and to see Don and Renee win their races. We had Serena's folks down from Seattle with their grandkids and that made for an amazing cheering section, I could hear them every lap, it was awesome, it really does mean a lot to have people shouting and cheering...THANKS! Don was always at the top of the climb with a much needed word or two.

Regardless of how it turned out, it was great to be out racing with friends and be doing what I love.

Check out the recap and photos over at Swellvelo.com.
See you out there this weekend!

Cross Season in full effect

It's going now. The preseason races are through, it has been a good early season, but now it's time for trips to the valley, the weekly cleaning, washing, maintenance, and planning.

I love this time of year, the cold mornings, rain, frost, pumpkins, leaves...making it home just before dark for a hot meal and some rest after a hard training session.

Alpenrose was last weekend and it went well. It's early in the season for me and I had a hard week leading up to Alpenrose, but still I ended up doing well. I had a great start, but faded a little for the effort. I got into my pace and settled in to trying to move up. Picked a few off, held my position, and felt good all the way to the end. It was a good early season test and I was psyched with the result. Had a call-up which made a big difference on the start. I finished in 18th (good for 1 little pt) and hopefully that will continue the call-up.

Between work, coaching, and training the weeks fly by. This coming weekend is Rainer, one of my favorite courses. It makes for a long weekend, but it'll be a good one. I'm trying to make plans for the rest of the season and hopefully even sneak a trip in to the east coast to combo up thanksgiving and a race. Need to get on plans for Madison real soon to, I put in for the days off, now I just need to track down some tickets.

It's been awesome to have such amazing teammates who are on the same page, we've been sharing ideas, training together, racing together and generally getting each other psyched. We are so lucky to have an amazing bunch of sponsors as well, they have set us up and taken care of us. Please let them know you appreciate their support of bike racing and our team by supporting them and thanking them!