The weekend before Thanksgiving I went and did my first cyclocross race of the year in Lansing, IL. It is part of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup that I raced last fall for my first attempts at cyclocross.
I have taken to heart this advice to rest and recover following a long season, but I may have taken it a bit too far. I have been quite lazy/burned out since the Furnace Creek 508. Put on a few pounds. On the positive side my lungs seem to be doing better finally.
I rode around the course for a bit beforehand. It was incredibly flat, with only 2 barrier sections. A long sandpit, referred to as the pit of despair, finished off each loop. Each time I approached the sand pit during the race I saw riders doing unintentional acrobatics into the sand. Would have been a good laugh if I hadn’t needed the air so desperately by that point. As I approached the first barrier, I remembered that last year I had determined I would be able to do pretty well if I spent some time practicing mounting and dismounting the bike. I had not practiced.
My memory of last year, was of enjoyment racing through the autumn leaves. This year from the start I was consistently thinking; “I can’t believe I’m still on the first.. second.. third.. etc lap”. My text messages to friends after the race were short and to the the point, Cycle X hurts.
I did drag myself through the course and didn’t finish last and didn’t get lapped, take small victories where you find them. It was my worst finish ever in a cyclocross race. Cant wait for Illinois State Championships next weekend.
Photos at: Flickr
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