Over Due

Wow, I've been a slacker on this thing lately. I'll try to go into more detail about what I've been up to these past few weeks.

Bicycle, Blues, and BBQ Race Weekend:
A quick change in plans put me back in Iowa in time for the race weekend in Clear Lake. The crit consisted of Anne Meyer from ICCC, myself, and 5 PRC girls. It was a typical Iowa race. Nothing to exciting. It was nice to see new women out racing. Wish things would have been a little more eventful in the race rather than riding around in circles for however long the race was and then sprinting for the finish. Oh well though. I ended up taking the win with Anne in a close 2nd. Sunday's road race was similar. We got in a paceline from the beginning, which was nice. I was expecting different. Instead, I think we were all in mutual agreement that we should get this thing done as quickly as possible. It's always super windy in Northern Iowa, and that day was no different. Oh, and did I mention it was pancake flat? The sprint was in a tailwind and I was completely maxed of gears out at the end. I took the win with Kelly from PRC close behind. Wish I would have had an 11t on for that day. Great event though and I was surprised at the crowd that was out for the criterium Saturday night. The promoter did an awesome job.

Mountain Bike Nationals U23 Cross Country Race:
I originally registered for both the U23 race and the Expert race. However, when I went to pick up my packet from registration, they told me I could only do one. I decided to do the U23 race for several reasons. It was more challenging then the expert race would have been, this is my last year racing U23, it was basically a semi-pro women's field (if there was such a thing), etc. The race started fast, which was a given. I got boxed in going into the first corner. I rode the first lap in 3rd place with Jamie and Chloe almost completely out of sight by the end of the lap. Those girls are fast! I don't know how I was able to half way hang with them at collegiate nationals. Anyway, I played cat and mouse with a few girls on the course, but finally found myself in 5th place. I maintained this position until the end of the race. The course was pretty challenging. It consisted of climbing 4miles (an estimate) up a ski hill and then riding down a steep, rooty, rocky, hard, hill to the finish. The downhill is what hurt me the most. I've been on the mountain bike less than 10 times this year I think. I'm in no mountain bike shape. My arms and upper body were destroyed by this part of the course. It's where I lost the most time. Chloe had around 14minutes on me at the finish, ouch. I still made podium, but it's not what I was hoping to do, especially considering the small field size. Live and learn though. Don't plan on doing descent if you haven't trained properly for something. It was a good experience though, and all in all I'm glad I did it.

Mountain Bike Nationals Non-Pro Women's Short Track Race:
I had a few days to recover from the cross country race and re-think some things for the short track race. The field was larger because it consisted of everyone that wasn't a professional. I think there were 19 starters. I had a bad start. The official made the last 15seconds turn into 5 seconds and took everyone off guard. I found myself in 2nd place at the end of the first lap and had planned on staying there to pace myself. Not sure why, but I passed the 1st place girl at the start of the 2nd lap and never looked back. I quickly settled into a rhythm and started pulling away from the fast chasing group behind me. I started to put more and more time on them. There were a few laps that I thought I was going to blow up, but I kept telling myself its only 15minutes long (plus 2 laps). I can do anything for 20minutes right?? That's why I went so hard. I pulled off the win for my first National title. I think I had 34seconds on 2nd place. It was pretty awesome to stand on top the podium. I appreciate everyones help and support!

On the way back from Vermont, we stopped in Niagara Falls. It was only 15minutes out of the way, so I had to go. Awesome views! It's definitely a tourist attraction though and there were way to many people, even later at night! We also stopped in Wisconsin at Super Week. I did the men's cat 3 race...well I started it anyway. I think I lasted 3 laps. Oh well. Finally made it back home, where I was able to hang out at the local county fair for the week.

Chicago Criterium
Headed up Chicago for the inagural criterium. $10,000 on the line, 20 places deep. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into. Didn't know why there was so much money. Turns out it was just a local criterium. Awesome event though! Really well organized and it drew some pretty good competition to it. Meredith Miller from Aaron's, Team TIBCO, Team Kenda Tire, and Team Revolution all made appearances as well as several other individuals. My teammate Sam Schneider was there as well. I covered lots of attacks during the race and tried to keep things together for the finish. A TIBCO girl was able to get away solo. The last two laps came and I tried to make my way to the front. My legs were tired and things were sort of chaos. Sam was in perfect position though and had latched on to TIBCO's leadout train. She pulled out the win for the field sprint, placing 2nd overall over TIBCO's Brooke Miller. Amazing job!!

That pretty much sums up what I've been doing lately. Next up is the Elk Grove criterium this Saturday and the Missouri State Criterium Championships on Sunday. Then Tour of KC, Downer's Grove, and Gateway Cup. After that, it's mountain bike season! Can't believe the road season is almost over though! Thanks for stopping in!
-A