my first race prep

[redrhodie]

Wow, me, posting in the race thread! I never thought I'd see the day. My first race, a crit training race, is on Wed.

So, it's got me thinking, why am I doing this? What is motivating me, a tried and true slacker, to race? Well, I've come up with some answers already, and I have even more ideas that aren't completely cohesive, but I may figure them out later, probably after the event.

First, I think it can be fun. Note the word "can" is not the word "will". I'm not kidding myself, this may not be for me, but I'm trying it anyway. I'm pretty sure already that I'm not going to suck. No, I'm not bragging about being fast, it's just that my idea of sucking would not be coming in last, or getting lapped. My definition would be if I lost my sense of humor about it. If I cry, I've failed. If I can smile when I'm done (I assume I'll be too busy racing to smile during it) I'll be happy. If I don't get dropped, I'll be ecstatic. Finding a new thing to be passionate about in cycling would be the utmost.

Second, I've become very concerned with my diet starting today. I am one of the regulars on the "what did you eat today" thread, and I have to admit, I eat a lot more junk than I realized before writing it down. I am not overweight, but my diet consists of a lot of pizza and frozen pirogies. So, with race in mind, I'll be eating a lot more veggies, whole grains, and fish. I feel like I want to be at my best and my diet is one thing I can improve on pretty easily (at least for the next 3 days ); but I'm not giving up my pirogies long term! In fact, I've long suspected they are the perfect cycling food. I may bring some with me for a pre-ride snack. Just kidding.

Third, I want to learn something new. I don't expect to be a great racer any time soon, but I plan on doing my best to learn as much as I can. I am lucky that one of my wonderful lbs guys is going to do the B race with me, so I have a mentor. He's already given me some sage advice, and I'm really thinking this might be fun. I am not expecting to master anything anytime soon, but I'll be taking as much in as I can.

And finally, I want to really push myself for that half hour. Oh, this is so far out of my slacker world, such a departure. I hope I don't puke. I'll let you know how it goes.

My race mantras, are "breathe" and "momentum".

[SheFly]

All sounds good - except the diet part. What's wrong with pizza?

I race my bike for a few reasons - one, because I like to see what I can do, and to see improvement over the years. I am competitive, and racing is an outlet for that. Two, because it's fun. Yup - sometimes it completely SUCKS while I'm doing it, but there haven't been many times when I've looked back and thought it wasn't fun. don't get me wrong - it's hard, but that can be fun in and of itself. Third, I like to hang out with cool people. Racing has introduced me to another "family". I know A LOT of New England racers because I have done a lot of racing. These people are my friends, and we all have something in common, regardless of the rest of our lives. I'm not sure I would have met some of these people if it weren't for racing. Fourth, I like to eat, and drink beer Racing let's me eat pretty much what I want, within reason. I'm certainly not one who follows a strict diet, although maybe I would be better off if I did.

Six years ago, I wasn't interested in racing. A mentor took me under her wing, and I finished that season with over 40 races, including my first (and fourteenth) cross races.

Watch out - you could be getting into something VERY exciting.

I'll see you at the races!

SheFly

[redrhodie]

I'll see you at the races!

SheFly

I hope so! I'm trying not to get too far ahead of myself, but I'm thinking about Jamestown which is on Columbus Day, and how I could be there if I end up liking this. I've gone to watch a few times, and always thought I should do it.

[bellissima]

Good luck and let us know the whole story afterwards

[redrhodie]

Thanks! Clothes are packed. I keep having this feeling I'm going to forget my shoes, and last night I dreamed I was back in high school. I'm sure this won't be THAT bad!

But I'm pretty relaxed at this point. All that's left to do is race. I can't wait!

[redrhodie]

First and last race done! It was not for me. It didn't go as well as I had hoped, and it was the longest half hour of my life. I got dropped right away. Then Scott babysat me for the rest of the race. I have to thank him big time. He kept trying to get me back into the pack, but I couldn't do it. I tried, but I couldn't wait for the final lap!

The clincher for it being my last race was after I was done, I stayed and watched the A race, and one of the guys on my shop's team crashed hard. A bunch of teammates stopped with him, and he decided he was okay. Well, not so much. He had ridden to the race, so I ended up driving him to his car, which was parked at our lbs, and he seemed pretty concerned that something was broken (shoulder blade). I was also concerned about his head. His helmet was cracked. I didn't know this guy, and he seemed way too calm, which made me nervous. The shop manager was waiting for us in the parking lot when we got there, and took him to the hospital.

So, this was a good lesson. I'm glad I did it, and I didn't get hurt, but it's way too dangerous for me. And too hard. It's even harder than it looks.

[SheFly]

Well, congrats to you for a)trying it and b)finishing! You could have just dropped out, but you hung in there to the end, despite being dropped. Most riders would have given up, so that shows some dtermination and tenacity.

Good on you! I'm just sorry that you didn't enjoy it (but FWIW, a B race is likely not the best starting point... you need to find a C or D race, or a race with other women).

Sorry to hear about your teammate as well. PLEASE do not fool around with suspected head injuries. One of our juniors crashed on a training ride this season, and we didn't suspect a thing immediately. Then, he lost his memory. Turned out he had a VERY bad concussion, and we were later informed that he shouldn't have even been moved.

Don't give up! I'd love to see you at the races again sometime, and would be MORE THAN HAPPY to hook up with you in advance for some pointers, etc.

Congrats on getting one under the belt!

SheFly

[redrhodie]

Thanks SheFly. I really think that was it for me. I may still see you at a race, as I do love to watch. You racers are crazy tough! I know a lot of it is technique and skill, and those can be learned, but you have to have a passion for it from the start, and I didn't. If someone told me I had to do it again next week or else, I'd be filled with dread.

I just got an update, and the hurt guy is okay. Surprisingly, no broken bones, and his head is fine. Yay.

[bellissima]

Congrats on finishing your race! I remember my first races, I felt like I was going to die. It did get better with time as my body and mind started to get used to the suffering. As SheFly said, you must be really proud on trying and finishing the race

[Crankin]

You should be congratulated for just trying. Since I am such a wuss, I could never race, let alone the training factor! But, I do enjoy watching races and I wish more people would get out there, especially others who ride recreationally. I love the vibe around a race, and even though I am not one of the racers, I feel like I belong.
Funny, when Scott was racing, I hated going, but I think I was just worried about him getting hurt (which he did, numerous times). But then, it was kind of cool being known as the mother of a racer. Then, as time went on, when I started riding more seriously, I started liking it. When my exchange student son came to visit a couple of years ago, he won the green jersey at the Fitchburg Stage race. He was on the podium, when the announcer said something like, "his mother should be here..." I shouted out that I was his "American" mother and the whole crowd cheered for me! That was cool.

[lph]

Rhodie! Kudos for trying! That took effort and guts to go out of your comfort zone, and most people don't. Doesn't matter if you did well or not, you tried something just for the heck of it, gave it a good shot and figured it's not quite your thing, at least not at the moment. But now you know what it's like, and you're an experience richer. Well done

[redrhodie]

Aw, thanks guys. Yeah, I am proud that I did it. It was not a bunch of slackers like me out there. They all looked pretty serious about it, and I think all of the women were on teams. I did okay, considering.

[Aggie_Ama]

Way to go for trying it! I have been riding since 2004 and have not even gotten the nerve to attempt a road race. It is a different animal from the racing I do and not for everyone! It takes some serious guts to even try it, you should be proud for testing the waters.