We just had the third and final weekend of the local spring training races, six races total (for each group). On Saturday, we went back to the same course that we used for the very first race, but the race itself was harder. First, it was faster; last time we averaged 20.9 mph, this time the average was just over 23 mph (over the same 35 miles). We had two crashes--the first was low-speed, on a climb, and the last was on the uphill sprint to the finish, and took out my friend (she is fine, got x-rays despite her protests--she actually raced the next day, as well). We did not, however, let a break get away, like the first race. I finished with the pack, 17th out of 39. Not bad for a mixed field, fourth race ever. (By the way, this 7-mile loop was considered a road race.)

The race on Sunday was a crit; the loop was around two miles or so. Our race was 40 min. + 2 laps. It was killer! The loop had one uphill in it that wasn't so bad in itself, and none of the corners was too difficult, but the back side had a killer headwind. I got dropped after about 5 or 6 laps, I think. I was ready to quit after one lap by myself--that headwind was very demoralizing--but saw someone ahead of me--my friend who crashed the day before, actually--and picked her up, and we kept going. We eventually picked up three others, and worked together to finish. We even got lapped by the pack--or what was left of it--but it was good to finish and meet some other women. I got some cornering tips from one of them.

I had such a good experience overall that I decided to join the club team that I was asked to join. One of the women is cat 3, and she and another woman have lots of racing experience that the other three of us can learn from. I'll be racing as time allows--between teaching and dissertating--so I'll let you know how that goes. Anybody have training tips you want to share? I won't race again until April. I'm lucky in that my DH is going to be racing this year, as well. He is very supportive.

I still can't believe I'm doing this! Never say never...