crit advise?

[CorsairMac]

Wooohoo...congrats on both the 4th And the $30!! and it sounds like you had fun! Well Done Pink! (closest thing to a pink smiley we had!)

[BikeMomma]

Way to go, Pink!!! Fourth is super, and the cash is always nice. That pays for the Starbucks reward afterwards and a new tub of electrolyte drink! And fourth on an uphill finish is not bad at all! Hope your post-race recovery is going well.

How did you finish, gear-wise? I remember a race I did with an uphill finish...I misjudged and totally spun out, but placed about 9th out of a field of about 20 or so girls. It was a fun race, only one crash that I can remember, due to someone not holding her line (ggrrrr). Sent the other one flying into a ditch, bike end over end. Glad to hear that your "squirrelly one" didn't get the best of you. There's always one of 'em, so watch out. Oftentimes, the you'll see the same gals at the next race and you'll know who to avoid at all costs.

How big was the field, and I'm assuming Womens Cat 4?? Did the weather gods smile on you or dump it on ya? I imagine Seattle can get pretty wet.

I'm so dead meat -- I'm catching the racing bug again! My husband took that news amazingly well, a blank stare but no protest - I think he realizes there's no point in fighting it! ha!

I raced about 12/13 years ago, then sortof burned out on cycling (I made the grave mistake of being too strict on myself) and met my husband at around the same time. He doesn't ride, so I started spending more and more time away from the bike to be with him. Then we got married, along came the kids (3 of the cute little buggers!), and now that my daughter is two and ALOT less dependent (I breastfed all my kids through 18mos+), I'm able to creep out of the house for rides with the guys (some racers, some not) on Saturday a.m.'s and whenever else possible, quick lunchtime rides, etc. I also bought myself a trainer that I can ride whatever hour of the day I can, usually late after the kids are in bed.

Sooo, I'm getting there. (See the "Goals" thread). I figure if I can meet my goal of staying with the racers by the end of this season, then I'll get my racing license and go for it.

I watched a couple crit's (Merced Criterium and McClane Pacific Cycling Classic) in the next city over from mine (Merced, about 7mi away) spaced a week apart, as well as rode out to the RR course for one of the series (a 55mi day from my house), and was extremely pleased to see how many women are out there racing now. The fields were huge! When I was racing before, a good turnout was maybe 10-15! These fields for the Women's Cat 4 had a good 50+ entered. So awesome so early in the season (this was end of Feb/early March). So, I do believe I've been bitten by the racing bug, and the more I'm riding and getting my form back, the more I'm thinking about where I'll be next year.

Anyway, Pink - I always end up babbling on these posts, sorry....keep us posted on your future races, wins (let's hope). And good luck!

[Pink Kona]

How cool to have the racing spark back in your life. You can do it! That's a great goal of being in racing shape by the end of the season. There's a woman on my team who has a 12 month old, is still breast feeding and also has a three year old. She and her husband had "the talk" and decided it was her time to pursue athletics because she last year was his turn. He brings the kids to all of her races - and right after she's done ripping it up on the course she breastfeeds her baby. Amazing. Where there's a will there's a way.

Gearing wise - I was maybe a gear or two off from where I would have liked to be. I spun up the hill and immediately switched to 53-19 and could/should have been in 53-13. I spun out a little but now I know what to expect for next time. And yes, we raced in a down pour. It was fun - and I'm pleased with the experience. Those girls better watch out - I learn fast. (BTW - your assumption is correct - Cat 4 for none other than Starbucks Duetto Visa.)

[Pink Kona]

I just found out about this picture today. That's me in the front with the big cheesy grin my face - loving every minute of it.

http://www.bikecafe.net/pa/PAViewPhoto.asp?ID=8222

[SadieKate]

That's really terrific picture. Worthy of framing!

[Bike Goddess]

Pink Kona- You are AWESOME! If I were about 25years younger I might be willing to take you on You go girl!

Bike Momma- Where were you when I was riding the McClane century this year?... and.. watching the crits when I got back to Merced that afternoon! Great century! Did we pass your little town? Atwater sounds familiar!

[spazzdog]

You wanna do some internet coaching?

I'm just getting started; the Cinderella was my "kick me in the a$$" ride.

Monday I start at the gym with strength training. My bike will probably be home by the next Monday with its new crank.

My tentative schedule will then be alternating 3 days in the gym with 3 days on the bike for about 7 weeks. Then I'll cut to 2 days in the gym and 4 days on the bike, gradually increasing my bike time from 2 to 4-5 hrs (on long ride days).

At what point do I enter my first race? Suggestions? Take this off-line unless the group is interested. You can email me at spazzdog@comcast.net

Goal: to race at the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago (Jul 15-22, 2006 in case anybody is interested) Check out http://www.gaygameschicago.org/ for more info.

And Pink... great job grrl. I am impressed! Good pic too. Frame that one!

spazz

[Bike Goddess]

Hey Spazz- Great goal and Great training workout. Have you got someone who can design a program for you at the gym? I have a woman who is a former racer as well as trainer at my gym (we often ride together). She has designed a workout for me that is just right

I am soooo excited for you! 2006 Gay Olympics in Chicago. We better get our schedules in order so TE can come support you en masse.

[BikeMomma]

At what point do I enter my first race? Suggestions?

Hey Spazz -

I realized I never answered this particular question. Sorry!

What I would do (and am doing) is when you feel you're ready, find out where and when some of the racers do their training rides, and see if you can join them. They can be male or female, but generally-speaking, the guys are faster which will tend to make you push yourself harder. Don't give up and don't get discouraged when or if they drop you. Just continue your training ride at your own pace, and then set a goal to stay with them just a wee bit longer next time. Baby steps! Set the small goals for the short-term, meet them, and then work your way up to the bigger long-term ones, like staying with them for the WHOLE ride.

When you get to that point (finishing the ride with the group) and you're feeling good and competitive, maybe even out-sprinting one or three of them on interval sprints, then I would say that you're ready to race. Even before that point, actually, you can enter a race if you think you can hang on for a while. One of the best ways to train for racing is to race, believe it or not.

Hope that helps! Go for it, Spazz - you can do it! The Games sound wonderful, and we're all rooting for you!
-Kim