Pink Kona
07-22-2005, 10:50 AM
This past weekend I participated in the Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge. This three day event attracts talented track racers from across the nation and boasts a $16,000 purse. Top talent attended - I couldn't even tell you how many world champions, national champions and Olympians showed up. Needless to say the racing was fast and furious. It gave me a great taste of elite racing - at its pinneacle.
Bare in mind- I've only been racing track for about 2 months. I went down to the AVC to get exposure to another track and other racers. Alpenrose is much smaller than my local velodrome - 45 degree pitch on a 283 meter oval. One must maintain 12 mph or greater on the turns or you will slide down. The track was intimidating. I warmed up for about 25 laps before having to dive into a 500m TT. Amazingly I placed 7th - despite feeling like I was going to spill my cookies in the corners because the G-force was so intense. If I could have done it over again I would most certainly pre-rode the track before a big competition. Lesson #1.
We did the typical track races - both sprint and endurance. There were 19 women in the Miss N' Out which means sketch city! Unfortunately I was tangled up in a crash - where two women in front of me collided and I rolled right over the top of one of them. Lesson #2 - stay uptrack and come around. The closer you are to the sprinters lane the easier it is to get taken out (by crash or missing the line!). I hit my head pretty hard - hard enough to shatter my helmet. Luckily that was all that happened. My bike was fine. :)
Later that night we did a 60 lap scratch race. I felt strong - although once the lead group detached from the rest of us - and I was the only strong person trying to bridge the gap -I gave up all hope and pulled myself from the race. I cried. I felt ashamed. I was really really upset with myself. Of course I had my pity party by myself behind the cars - called my husband and mom and vented. And you know what they said? Look at what you're doing! Reality check! 2 months into this sport and you're already going head to head with Olympians?! Gee - thanks Mom. I needed that. :) And in retrospect that moment is when I decided if I want to take things to the next level, it's not going to be easy. It's going to take more mental toughness than I've ever experienced in a sport. Well guess what? I'm up for that challenge. Bring it on.
On Sunday morning we did a flying 200m TT to seat us for the sprint competition. I placed 5th - right behind the Olympians. Not bad for a rookie. Although when it came time for the three person match sprints, I didn't have the usual drive and edge to drive the sprint. Maybe spooked from the crash, competition or velodrome - I was a little upset with myself for not going harder. Lesson #3 - sometimes you have to lose to win.
The weekend packed about 3 years worth of track experience into 3 days. I am taking this knowledge and building on it. Nationals are in three weeks - and my new found determination is going to be a force to reckon with.
Bare in mind- I've only been racing track for about 2 months. I went down to the AVC to get exposure to another track and other racers. Alpenrose is much smaller than my local velodrome - 45 degree pitch on a 283 meter oval. One must maintain 12 mph or greater on the turns or you will slide down. The track was intimidating. I warmed up for about 25 laps before having to dive into a 500m TT. Amazingly I placed 7th - despite feeling like I was going to spill my cookies in the corners because the G-force was so intense. If I could have done it over again I would most certainly pre-rode the track before a big competition. Lesson #1.
We did the typical track races - both sprint and endurance. There were 19 women in the Miss N' Out which means sketch city! Unfortunately I was tangled up in a crash - where two women in front of me collided and I rolled right over the top of one of them. Lesson #2 - stay uptrack and come around. The closer you are to the sprinters lane the easier it is to get taken out (by crash or missing the line!). I hit my head pretty hard - hard enough to shatter my helmet. Luckily that was all that happened. My bike was fine. :)
Later that night we did a 60 lap scratch race. I felt strong - although once the lead group detached from the rest of us - and I was the only strong person trying to bridge the gap -I gave up all hope and pulled myself from the race. I cried. I felt ashamed. I was really really upset with myself. Of course I had my pity party by myself behind the cars - called my husband and mom and vented. And you know what they said? Look at what you're doing! Reality check! 2 months into this sport and you're already going head to head with Olympians?! Gee - thanks Mom. I needed that. :) And in retrospect that moment is when I decided if I want to take things to the next level, it's not going to be easy. It's going to take more mental toughness than I've ever experienced in a sport. Well guess what? I'm up for that challenge. Bring it on.
On Sunday morning we did a flying 200m TT to seat us for the sprint competition. I placed 5th - right behind the Olympians. Not bad for a rookie. Although when it came time for the three person match sprints, I didn't have the usual drive and edge to drive the sprint. Maybe spooked from the crash, competition or velodrome - I was a little upset with myself for not going harder. Lesson #3 - sometimes you have to lose to win.
The weekend packed about 3 years worth of track experience into 3 days. I am taking this knowledge and building on it. Nationals are in three weeks - and my new found determination is going to be a force to reckon with.