Nationals 'Cross Race Reports

[SheFly]

Sunday, December 17
Providence, RI
62 Starters!
B Women
Finish: 33rd

What an experience! This was my first season of 'cross racing, and thus, my first visit to Nationals. I was inspired to see the number of racers in all of the fields this weekend, but to line up for a race with 61 other women, representing 19 states, was truly amazing.

Standing on the line, the woman next to me declared, "this is getting cold" and I chuckled in response. It turned out that she was from Smyrna, GA, and was used to 70 degree temps! I told her the 40 was warm for us at this time of year, and she grimaced .

When the whistle blew, all 62 of us were eager to get the race underway. Unfortunately, a crash on the start line took down a number of riders, including two of my teammates. I managed to get around the bikes and bodies, and tried to sprint up the pavement with everyone else.

It is important to note that there was some rain and/or frost on Saturday evening, making some of the opening sections of the course SLICK as SNOT. Really - that is the best way to describe not only the first two corners, but also the off-camber "slip and slide".

I got lucky enough to be on the outside line in the first corner, which allowed me to get around the second crash of the race. I could see that another of my teammates was involved. From here, I negotiated the "slip and slide" - an off-camber section of the course that had women who chose to ride high, sliding to the bottom along, and through the course tape. Somehow, I made it through all of the chaos intact, with both wheels firmly on the ground!

On either the second or third lap, as I was going over the barriers, I heard DH yell that I was in 33rd place. ACK! I couldn't believe that I was working this hard, and was that far back... Neither could the woman who was beside me - she let out a groan .

I felt really good yesterday though (better, in fact, than I had on Friday) and kept on pushing. I managed to catch a racer I haven't been able to beat all season (who was riding dressed as Wonder Woman), and passed her. I worked really hard to try and stay ahead of her. The good thing was that spectators would call out "Go Wonder Woman" along the course, so I could usually gauge just how close to me she was . On the third lap, she and a rider from California got by me on the second greasy corner. DH had offered to change out my tires before the race for some better mud tires, and I opted not to - bad choice. Two times around this corner, I slide all across it trying to get ANY traction and/or forward direction, and both times, the tires completely clogged with mud making navigation of the "slip and slide" treacherous (especially when forced into a high line!).

After Wonder Woman got by me, I felt a little deflated, and sat up for a couple of seconds before chastising myself. I KNEW that if I could stay with Wonder Woman until the pavement on the top of the course, that I could catch her. I hunkered back down, keeping her within about 5 bike lengths, and managed to pass both she and the CA rider on the pavement as I predicted. I put a little bit of distance between us here, and increased that at every opportunity - this was the final lap of the race!

Every now and then, I could get a look back to see where she was, and put the hammer down just enough to stay ahead. On the final sprint, I didn't even look behind me, just geared it up, and went.

As I crossed the line (ahead of Wonder Woman and CA-girl), my HR was at 180, which I thought was high. HA! Apparently I worked for where I was - average HR for 45 mins was 179 with a high of 189! YIKES!

I am really happy with my finish yesterday, and with the season that I had. Although yesterday I was celebrating the end of a VERY L-O-N-G season, today I am more sad that it is over. I will miss all of my riding/racing buds over the winter months...

It was amazing to me all weekend, the number of people spectating who would call out my name. I told my DH that I didn't know who half of them were . It did make a difference, to me and to the other racers though, having the support of our friends, teammates and fans.

Here's to the end of a great season of 'cross in 2006. Who's going to Kansas next year ?

SheFly

Pics from Day 2:

1. Coming in to the barriers
2. Going through the "whoopdee-doos"
3. Over the roots
4. The "gravity cavity" (and Wonder Woman )
5. The finish of a great race, and a long season

[Eden]

Nice Job!

I don't race cross, but several of my team mates were there. Kristi was third for a podium spot on her Friday age group race and also raced the elite race on Sunday, though I don't know where she finished yet. One of our juniors finished 6th in her field and our other rider unfortunately was very ill during her race - but she finished despite all of her tribulations.

*edit* I looked it up and Kristi finished 15th in the Elites! Way to Go Kristi!

[SheFly]

Eden - what age group was the junior in? Libby White is also a teammate of mine, and she won the 13-14 title. Seems our club has champs on both ends of the age spectrum .

Nice results for Kristi as well!

SheFly

[Eden]

Eden - what age group was the junior in? Libby White is also a teammate of mine, and she won the 13-14 title. Seems our club has champs on both ends of the age spectrum .

Nice results for Kristi as well!

SheFly

I can't seem to download the day 2 results from the web site, but I believe Devon is 16 this year.

[SheFly]

I can't seem to download the day 2 results from the web site, but I believe Devon is 16 this year.

Here you go:

Junior Women 15-16 8 Starters 9.6K
1 2432 Coryn RIVERA Major Motion Tustin CA 28:32
2 2426 Kaitlin ANTONNEAU Nova-IsCorp Racine WI 31:05
3 2425 Michelle MORRIS Queen City Wheels Cincinnati OH 31:54
4 2429 Kendall RYAN Scary Fast Junior Racing Ventura CA 32:23
5 2427 Hollis OWENS charlottesville racing club Lynchburg VA 32:49
6 2430 Devon SIMPSON RAD Racing NW Kirkland WA 33:20
7 2428 Tatum TYYNISMAA Rad Racing NW Walla Walla WA 34:32
8 2431 Marcie WEISS Team Mack

I was wondering because there was another RAD Racing junior in Libby's category:

6 2413 Catherine MAIER Rad Racing NW Yakima WA 36:30

BTW - Coryn (the 15-16 champion) won the B women's race by over a minute... They won't let her race elite because she is too young!

SheFly

[Eden]

I was wondering because there was another RAD Racing junior in Libby's category:

6 2413 Catherine MAIER Rad Racing NW Yakima WA 36:30

BTW - Coryn (the 15-16 champion) won the B women's race by over a minute... They won't let her race elite because she is too young!

SheFly

Cool - thanks!

Wow -that's impressive! Sounds like Coryn will be the gal to watch in a few years maybe. Devon races for both teams (mine, Group Health, and Rad-Racing) depending on whether or not she's racing juniors or not. Rad has a pretty darn good cross team. Some of my other team mates have kids on the team. One of the boys is even getting to go to cyclocross camp in Belgium in a few weeks.

[madisongrrl]

Here you go:


2 2426 Kaitlin ANTONNEAU Nova-IsCorp Racine WI 31:05

SheFly

She races in our WI Cat1/2 races....and is pretty fast.

[spokewench]

Congrats on a great season shefly. You'll be amazed at how much better you can do next year with this great experience under your belt!

This year, cyclocross did not happen for me. A few injuries, older parents moving and selling and buying a house just didn't let it work for me. Maybe next year I'll join you in Kansas. That's where my family is from originally.

[SheFly]

Congrats on a great season shefly. You'll be amazed at how much better you can do next year with this great experience under your belt!

This year, cyclocross did not happen for me. A few injuries, older parents moving and selling and buying a house just didn't let it work for me. Maybe next year I'll join you in Kansas. That's where my family is from originally.

Thanks! I feel great about my first season, and have my sights set on an upgrade and racing Elite next year. Might as well get my butt kicked now - then I'll be used to it for next season.

Hope to see you in Kansas next year!

SheFly

[velogirl]

Congratulations, Cathy!

The course design sounds just like last year, with the exception of the ice & snow last year. Gravity cavity (nice name, where'd that come from), is where I crashed twice and separated my shoulder.

[SheFly]

Congratulations, Cathy!

The course design sounds just like last year, with the exception of the ice & snow last year. Gravity cavity (nice name, where'd that come from), is where I crashed twice and separated my shoulder.

Thanks, Lorri! I made up the name - reminds me of a feature we have on our local MTB trails that we gave that name to... I think the announcers were calling it the Fruit Bowl. That thing scared the bejeebers out of me on Friday 'cause the entrance to it was both off-camber and slick. I can see how someone could go down here really easily.

And a big thanks to you for all of your support through the season!

Cathy