Sheesh
11-04-2007, 06:07 AM
Prior to yesterday's race, I had not been on a bike for two weeks. Given that, I knew that yesterday's race would hurt. I just didn't know how badly it would hurt...
Before I went off to warm up, I stopped by the race registration area to pick up another safety pin for Mr. Sheesh's jersey. The Masters 30+ guys had just finished racing, and were hanging around the registration area. When I pulled up, Lou started chatting with me, checked my tire pressure, let out a little air, and then gave me some tips on the course. He specifically warned me about the railroad ties that were on a dirt/ slightly muddy section of the trail. Lou said it was possible to go over them if you go slowly so you don't flat out, or you could pick your way around them if you went slowly enough.
During my first lap, I made it around the railroad ties just fine. By the second lap, I was still managing to keep up with the woman in front of me (which was very exciting because usually I'm left in the dust!), but as I followed her line through the railroad tie section, she was going over the ties, so I did, too. On the third time through, I decided to pick my own line again, and planned to go around the railroad ties. I was halfway through this section of the trail, and the next thing I know, I hit something, go over my handlebars, and end up lying on my back on the trail. That freaking hurt. There wasn't anyone behind me for a while, so I just laid on the ground for a few seconds, before finally getting up. I must have hit the corner of one of the railroad ties.
As I walk out of the woods, pushing my bike, I see the photographer and another guy. They both ask me if I'm okay. I'm in enough pain, that I just say "Yes, but I'm done" and then push my bike back to the car. Once I got back to the car, Mr. Sheesh checks out my bike and I then realize that my chain is off and my front rim is bent. There's no way I would have been able to finish the course, even if I had wanted to. I was very disappointed and quite pissed off at myself.
I now have several large bruises on my left thigh, and a very well-defined bruise on my lower abdomen. I must have hit my self on the stem or shifter as I flew over the handlebars. Ouch. The worst part? The bruise is in an area that I can't even show off, so I can't show my battle scars to those who ask. :P
Before I went off to warm up, I stopped by the race registration area to pick up another safety pin for Mr. Sheesh's jersey. The Masters 30+ guys had just finished racing, and were hanging around the registration area. When I pulled up, Lou started chatting with me, checked my tire pressure, let out a little air, and then gave me some tips on the course. He specifically warned me about the railroad ties that were on a dirt/ slightly muddy section of the trail. Lou said it was possible to go over them if you go slowly so you don't flat out, or you could pick your way around them if you went slowly enough.
During my first lap, I made it around the railroad ties just fine. By the second lap, I was still managing to keep up with the woman in front of me (which was very exciting because usually I'm left in the dust!), but as I followed her line through the railroad tie section, she was going over the ties, so I did, too. On the third time through, I decided to pick my own line again, and planned to go around the railroad ties. I was halfway through this section of the trail, and the next thing I know, I hit something, go over my handlebars, and end up lying on my back on the trail. That freaking hurt. There wasn't anyone behind me for a while, so I just laid on the ground for a few seconds, before finally getting up. I must have hit the corner of one of the railroad ties.
As I walk out of the woods, pushing my bike, I see the photographer and another guy. They both ask me if I'm okay. I'm in enough pain, that I just say "Yes, but I'm done" and then push my bike back to the car. Once I got back to the car, Mr. Sheesh checks out my bike and I then realize that my chain is off and my front rim is bent. There's no way I would have been able to finish the course, even if I had wanted to. I was very disappointed and quite pissed off at myself.
I now have several large bruises on my left thigh, and a very well-defined bruise on my lower abdomen. I must have hit my self on the stem or shifter as I flew over the handlebars. Ouch. The worst part? The bruise is in an area that I can't even show off, so I can't show my battle scars to those who ask. :P