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July 25, 2006
Lovin' the BMC
Um yeah - that new bike? Love it. I have some serious bike envy. The idea is for me to ride the bikes so everyone can see them and therefore buy them but I want this one all to myself. The bike and the crazy wheelset that makes it go really fast - I want them both. See how easy it is to get greedy? I didn't even ask Coach J how much that bike costs. I'm sure it's wayyyyyyyyyyyy more than I would ever want or could pay. :)
Anyway, the crit went well tonight. Maybe "well" isn't the right word - I still need lots of work - but things are getting better. I broke away twice tonight - once for 4 or 5 laps by myself workin' it hard at the front. I was really trying to make myself hurt. And let me tell you - I was succeeding. When you're new to a sport it's hard to find those limits as to how hard you can push your body. I know them well in running but cycling and swimming I'm still learning. I dug a little deeper on the bike tonight and the grimace on my face probably showed it. :)
I broke away again later in the race with the help of my teammate. We went after it for about 4 or 5 laps again, her leading a lap, me leading, her leading, me leading, etc... Apparently we should have been pulling each other for more like 30 seconds at the time "short pulls" instead of for a whole lap, but we didn't learn that until after the race. :) Regardless both times we broke away Coach J told us to let up and get back int he pack and both times he did that I was very relieved because I was getting to the point where I wasn't sure I could hold it much longer.
Fast forward to the last lap. You all would have been so proud - I didn't lead! Quite the reverse happened - I put myself in a HORRIBLE spot to sprint! I was just about dead last coming around the last turn and had lots of traffic to get through but I sprinted better than I ever have before and finished 5th. I think what I'm most proud of is the finishing time was the fastest so far for the year - that's what pushing the pace up front gets ya!
And so that was that. I'm beat now. After the race we went on about a 20 minute cooldown ride - I'd say I probably rode 30 miles total tonight (but the new bike doesn't have a computer yet so I'm not sure). And now me and my stinky self needs a serious shower! Good night everyone!
Posted by beth at July 25, 2006 9:12 PM