First Road Win!

[SheFly]

At the beginning of last week, I had a conversation with my coach about how I was losing my motivation to ride and train. We talked about why that was happening, and how I could get past it - I needed to set some short term goals related to my training, and focus not necessarily on results, but on smaller things.

I decided to race Attleboro again this year, despite not doing that well on the course last year. There aren't many Cat 3/4 races on the calendar here in the North East this season, but this was one. I was going into the race, and I wanted to win.

With the 3/4, 30+ and 45+ fields all racing together, there were a total of 27 women who started out at 8:00 am. I knew there were some strong racers in the field, and I was somewhat worried. I had talked to my teammate on Thursday about my strategy for the race - don't do too much work, stay near the front, and watch the wheels of some of the strong riders. So, throughout the race, I was somewhat ruthless - I tried to stay one to two riders from the front, taking the wheel of anyone who went past, regardless of who was on that wheel. The few times I drifted back to 6 or 8 wheels back, I saw three of my teammates right in the front of the group as well, which motivated me further.

I contested the first prime, but was beat on the line for that one. After the second prime, I tried an attack up the hill that didn't quite work - dragging he whole field with me. So, I went back to my strategy, and then made sure that with two laps to go, I was second to third wheel back.

Coming out of the final turn, I decided it was now or never, and started my finish sprint. I could hear others with me, but put my head down, and buried myself to get to the line. In the end, I got pipped by a woman in the 45+ category, but came across the line in second overall, and WINNING the 3/4 race! Yes, my first road win EVER! I was so excited that I had raced well, and smart! Oh - and I was surprised to learn later that I had also won a prime!

I didn't have much time to revel in my accomplishment though, as I was registered for the very next race - Men's 55+. Not knowing what I would have left in my legs, I changed numbers, grabbed a new water bottle, and was off for my second 25 km race. Immediately, I noticed a difference between the women's and men's race tactics. In the women's race, all of the attacking and hard efforts came on the small uphill just after the start/finish. In contrast, in the men's race I was actually on the brakes going into this hill, but the attacks came on the downhill after the second corner, where I had to bust my butt just to hang on.

Knowing that I was in the second chase group, and able to see the lead group just ahead, I put in an acceleration to bridge between the two, shouting to my other group mates, "C'mon!" as I went. A few pedal strokes into the chase, I looked back to realize that none had come with me, so I dug in to attach myself to the lead group of men. I even duked it out in the sprint, hanging in to finish 13th, and in the lead group (with the current and former national crit champions)! The men's race was 2 mph faster than the previous race, with an average speed of 24.5. Two great races for me, and a major boost to my confidence and my motivation!

SheFly

p.s.
I've always wanted to post one of these photos!

[Veronica]

Woohooo! That's awesome!

V.

[Andrea]

Woohoo!!! Way to get in there with the guys, too!

[indysteel]

Great job!!!! Congratulations!

[makbike]

Way to go!

[RoadRaven]

Way to find your motivation again, girl!

And up there in the sprint with the blokes? Well-impressed.

I find sprint finishes scarey to watch when a bunch comes int. I have only been in three sprint finishes... the first two there was only two of us, and the last one ( a few weeks ago) we were the chasing bunch of only 5, and the sprint made us spread out and I got 4th (8th overall).

But have never been in a group sprint. How is it to finish with high-end men too? Is a "male sprint" different to a "female sprint"?

Just I have noticed a difference in how males and females race (very generalised staement) and was wondering if it "feels" different to be with the guys?

And besides all that, awesome effort and trust you are now feeling inspired and motivated again.

[maillotpois]

Wow - just fantastic! Congrats!

[LBTC]

Shefly - that is fabulous! You are one racy chick!! I love the photo and I'm so proud of you! YAY!

Funny, there have been some insanely happy butterflies out for the last couple of weeks - now I know why!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[lph]

That photo is just amazingly cool. Congratulations

[Smilie]

Excellent job! How exciting for you!

[Zen]

Well then.
I think you have a new avatar photo

Congratulations on a job well done. You got your mojo working now!

[SadieKate]

A frame-worthy photo! Sort of like that first dollar bill.

Bravo!

[Tuckervill]

Way to go!

You get to race with the guys?? Wow.

Karen

[spokewench]

You go girl - what an accomplishment -

[SheFly]

Way to find your motivation again, girl!

And up there in the sprint with the blokes? Well-impressed.

I find sprint finishes scarey to watch when a bunch comes int. I have only been in three sprint finishes... the first two there was only two of us, and the last one ( a few weeks ago) we were the chasing bunch of only 5, and the sprint made us spread out and I got 4th (8th overall).

But have never been in a group sprint. How is it to finish with high-end men too? Is a "male sprint" different to a "female sprint"?

Just I have noticed a difference in how males and females race (very generalised staement) and was wondering if it "feels" different to be with the guys?

And besides all that, awesome effort and trust you are now feeling inspired and motivated again.

Thanks, Raven, et al!

I have been a bit remiss in posting some of my recent race reports since the win as well. I did go on the following week to finish second overall in a stage race, winning the TT, finishing 4th in the Circuit Race and 2nd in the Points Race. Raven - the motivation is definitely back!

As for racing with the men - I would race with them OVER the women any day. The rules are that if you are a Master (over 30, which to me is not a master, but I qualify by 10 years anyway), as a woman, you can race with the men 20 years your senior. That means for me, racding with men over 60 (but 55+ is the closest field).

Since the Attleboro crit, I have also done another race with the 45+ men. There was no women's field, and no older master's men's field, so I opted to go out with the fast guys. I was nervous, because here in New England, the 35+ and 45+ fields are VERY competitive, and VERY fast. Thankfully, I know many of the men who were in the field, and they were all really nice to me.

For an 11 lap race (27 miles total), I managed to completely hang in with the men, and it was a drem - no unsteady wheels in the bunch, and I could really ride in the midst of the pack without even really thinking about it. In contrast, I just did a women's 1/2/3 race this past weekend that scared the pants off of me with some of the moves they were making. I finished the men's race 26th of 37 starters, with the main pack and outsprinting some of the men to the line . Our average speed was close to 24 mph.

I highly recommend racing with the men if you get a chance. It has certainly given me a keen appreciation for the differences, and has boosted my confidence and ability in going back and racing with the women.

SheFly