Ravin' on... Racin' Goals

[btchance]

Just got a chance to read about your TTT. Too bad the other 2 people didn't stay with the rest of the team. Hopefully next time it'll be better.

Good job on doing the road race. I'm still way too nervous to even think about that. Oh, and I understand completely about having a hard time staying with a group of people. There's such a variation in speed. Glad you found things to work on, next time you'll do even better. Oh, and congrats for your sons. They did awesome also!

[RoadRaven]

Thanks for respondig BT
Yup, lots of lessons for me in these last two races...
(mutter mutter team time trial mutter mutter)

Most of the club racing I do was about 20km long, and since I have moved up a grade they are now 30-35km long, so the Road Race on Sunday was only my second 50km race. And although it is marketed as a "fun ride" alot (LOL, like me) are there to compete.

Just step in and have go, BT - do you have someone you can race with?
Our local club is awesome with a beginning grade (G) for all levels and abilities to have a go and see how they feel.

We have now instigated having a more experienced rider ride down a few grades with G-graders and the race is controlled to the half way point and the beginners practice pace-lining, changing gears for hills etc and race from the half-way point.

[RoadRaven]

Yup
Race today
38km race - 3 laps of a relatively flat course
I thought, tough grade, I have just moved up, first time I raced with them they dropped me on the first hill, second time I wanted to stay with them through the corners and be with them on the first straight til the grade hit a hill again... both times, no luck.

This time, with loads of specific training behind me and trying to be smart and and cater to what this grade does I think - I'll just hang on til the first lap is done and if I last the next two, it'll be a bonus.

Nope... I suck... 5kms into the 12.5km lap I am gone.
My darling partner keeps reassuring me that I am good at it, that I am improving, and if I want to get better I just need to keep working at it.

But we got home and I cracked a Zero and went and cried quietly on the deck outside. I felt such despair. I really thought I was better than I did today - I averaged nearly 31kph for the lap I did, but I just can't stay with the pack.

I really want to come to this thread and write about a thrilling race I am pleased with, not sulk to the world. but its so hard when I hear hubby and older son disecting their race of 43km average and my 16 year describing his which had a 40km average - and they all did FOUR laps!

*tucks head down near her wings and wanders away to another thread...*

[BikeMomma]

One thing's for sure....you do NOT suck!

I think you're more than awesome for just being out there doing it, ya know? I say be proud of what you CAN do, not down and dejected for what you can't. Your dh and son no doubt are proud of you for being who you are and going out there and trying your durnest. Be proud of that, too.

My attitude is, ultimately, racing is for fun, and it should always be so. If you're not doing well, forget the competition with others and all the comparisons that come with it. Turn it around into something positive -- compete against yourself. When I fall off the back in a crit and know I won't be able to bridge back up, I say "change of game plan" and just change the game to not getting lapped, or something stupid like that. Or I think about that lady on the far corner cheering away every time I go by, and I speed up to make her cheers worth it.

Definitely Raven, you're awesome. Call it another day completed and another experience to keep in the memory banks.

Chin up, girl. You'll have lots of other chances to show 'em your stuff.
Hugs,
~BikeMomma

[RoadRaven]

Thanks BM
My partner read my post last night. Hadn't realised how gutted I was.
And he has always said the same thing to me you have just written - racing should be fun.
Yestersday morning, I actually thought about coming and editing the self-pity out of my post, because it isn't really helpful.

I think I was just in some kind've shock after the Saturday race at how I felt. I have been disappointed at my results before, but never felt despair. And over a bike race? Crazy! But we had so many in the house I really couldn't talk it through comfortably with anyone. I just wasn't expecting the intensity of the emotion - and over a club race... and I didn't understand myself.

Next week, my game plan is changing. I will stay with them as long as I can and do no work at all (one mistake on Saturday was I tried to shut down a break! Stupid! Not when this is only my third club race with this grade! Sometimes you make silly calls and that was one).
So next week I sit in, hang on and if I don't enjoy it, I will ride back down a grade for the rest of the summer series. My partner suggested riding down a grade for a while - and it is such a good idea, because I have had very few races since October... I need to get race practice in again.

So thankyou for your words, BM, they are perfect... and my perspective is a bit more rational now... and I'm biking to and from work today...

Major lesson reminder for me... after a hard ride, you MUST go for a spin the following day. I just wasn't interested in hoping on the bike yesterday, but this morning my legs hurt sooooo much.

So I'm off to spin gently to work, a nice hours ride as the sun rises... thats what its about. I love riding on empty roads.

[Trekhawk]

Thanks BM
My partner read my post last night. Hadn't realised how gutted I was.
And he has always said the same thing to me you have just written - racing should be fun.
Yestersday morning, I actually thought about coming and editing the self-pity out of my post, because it isn't really helpful.

I think I was just in some kind've shock after the Saturday race at how I felt. I have been disappointed at my results before, but never felt despair. And over a bike race? Crazy! But we had so many in the house I really couldn't talk it through comfortably with anyone. I just wasn't expecting the intensity of the emotion - and over a club race... and I didn't understand myself.

Next week, my game plan is changing. I will stay with them as long as I can and do no work at all (one mistake on Saturday was I tried to shut down a break! Stupid! Not when this is only my third club race with this grade! Sometimes you make silly calls and that was one).
So next week I sit in, hang on and if I don't enjoy it, I will ride back down a grade for the rest of the summer series. My partner suggested riding down a grade for a while - and it is such a good idea, because I have had very few races since October... I need to get race practice in again.

So thankyou for your words, BM, they are perfect... and my perspective is a bit more rational now... and I'm biking to and from work today...

Major lesson reminder for me... after a hard ride, you MUST go for a spin the following day. I just wasn't interested in hoping on the bike yesterday, but this morning my legs hurt sooooo much.

So I'm off to spin gently to work, a nice hours ride as the sun rises... thats what its about. I love riding on empty roads.

Mate pleased to hear you are feeling positive again. BM gave great advice and as you said so did your husband, listen to them they are right.

I cant imagine racing or even getting to the sort of speed you do. I think you racing girls are made of pure grit with huge hearts. Keep posting so this little plodder can race vicariously through you.

[BikeMomma]

I think you racing girls are made of pure grit with huge hearts.

Naaaa....just stubborn. Ask my husband.

[BikeMomma]

I have been disappointed at my results before, but never felt despair. And over a bike race? Crazy! But we had so many in the house I really couldn't talk it through comfortably with anyone. I just wasn't expecting the intensity of the emotion - and over a club race... and I didn't understand myself.

Next week, my game plan is changing. I will stay with them as long as I can and do no work at all (one mistake on Saturday was I tried to shut down a break! ......... So next week I sit in, hang on and if I don't enjoy it, I will ride back down a grade for the rest of the summer series.

.......

So I'm off to spin gently to work, a nice hours ride as the sun rises... thats what its about. I love riding on empty roads.

The intensity of the emotion and the despair you felt just show how much your heart is in this sport, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Sounds like a great game plan.

Hope your gentle spin was as nice as it sounds.
~BikeMomma

[RoadRaven]

Trek, BM and Geonz

Thanks for your words...

Yes, yesterdays ride to work was lovely, the sun was still nesteled in the clouds and the temp was a mild 18'
The ride home a bit tougher, head wind all the way - about 15kph at full speed! - my partner came and collected me before the final few hills which was a welcome surprise.

Am all geared up for having another go in the road race this Saturday... having another go is what its about really.
Looking on the website and final times, my grade (F) was actually faster than E - so maybe it was just an extra fast day for the F graders and therefore my bad luck. (But there was a bright side, being finished and relatively fresh meant I was able to assist after a crash in another grade's sprint finish and hold the guy's elbow/arm clear of the road til the ambulance arrived and staunch some of the blood loss)
http://www.ramblers.co.nz/club_resul...ail.asp?id=324

And am looking forward to the ITT on Thursday next week - I'll be one of the slower times there as only the really keen TTers tend to emerge on the Thursday nights. But the very cool thing about TTs is its about personal bests and giving yourself a thrashing! So am hoping to best my PB that day - raging emotions will def be put to good use there, Geonz!


Feeling brighter and much more enthusiastic
~Rave~