It had been a long time since I raced. Pre Covid Feb 2020 actually right before the pandemic hit. That’s a LONG time with no racing. I had wanted to go to masters nationals for a few years now and it just never worked out with my schedule. It was really great that this was my first race back.

I had a lot of tough shit happen in my life since that last race, and I’m not going to lie that didn’t exactly set me up for an ideal race prep. In fact there were a few weeks I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to really ride at all. But I figured as long as I kept getting on my bike no matter how bad it was I would be ok to go have some fun.

My goal going in was to do the best I could in the time trial. I wanted to break an hour. I had never done that before. At 43 years old and pretty sub par prep I wasn’t sure that was possible but I went there with the attitude to try to go for it anyways.

I entered all three races, time trial, road race and crit. I figured if by day three I’d had enough it was o.k, but if I wanted to keep racing I would.

Time Trial Day:

Good long warm up and ready to go. I was excited to do it and was ready to embrace that special kind of pain only a TT brings. It hurts the whole freaking way! I don’t have power on my TT bike so it was pure feel, heart rate and personal pain that was going to guide me through the next hour of my life. Soon as I started my heart rate went straight up to 90% of my max. The course felt hard in places I thought it would feel easier but I kept just digging. It was funny because I swear I had no less than 20 conversations with myself out there in that hour. It’s amazing where your mind goes when pushing that hard. The entire last ¼ I was nearly at max heart rate and when I crossed the finish I somewhat mini threw up. I think I actually said out loud thank f*&k that’s over! Ha! I had that cramped up hamstring, groin thing you only get when you TT to your max. 59:04 and good enough for 2nd place on the day. Thank god! Lol.

Road Race Day:

Boy I woke up SORE!! I wasn’t really conditioned to go all out for 60min like I did yesterday and man did that leave a dent. I was SORE, and GRUMPY! When I started my warm up I actually felt really sick. I was sure between how I felt and the altitude I was in for one tough day. The major breaker was always going to be the tough climb midway. I didn’t have good gearing for how steep it was and I’m not quite as peppy at 7000 feet the day after a TT effort. I knew I needed to keep the women in sight that would attack up the steeper sections. I’ll spare you all the details but I fought like heck to make sure that when it came to the final 2k of the race I’d be there to have a chance. The finish was a bit tricky with a hard left turn into a fast downhill. You had to be top wheels into the turn. I managed to get a good position but one slight hesitation in the corner got me third wheel as we headed down the fast finishing hill. That was good enough to finish third on the day. I guess I was a little rusty on my turns after over a year and half off the races. Good to remember just how fast you gotta go and not to hesitate in those final closing moments.

Crit Day:

Honestly, up until about bedtime the night before I had thought I might not do the crit. I kinda had enough fun and was totally content to not race again. I had even thrown my numbers in the trash the day before. Finally before bed I thought, what the heck, I’m here, might as well race. Best way I can describe the crit was a chest game of tactics. I kinda thought it seemed more like a match sprint track race than a crit in some places. The best poker player was going to win. I played my cards! Attacked, was aggressive, tried to play my cards the best I could. With two laps to go I hung it all out there and went for it with a solo off the front. I was either going to make it or not. I had a lot of support from the race announcers and people watching. I was digging to try to make it to the line in first place. I nearly pulled it off but at 300m to go the tacticians reeled me in. I stood up to try to sprint but I was GASSED, ha! That rolled me in good enough for 3rd place and most aggressive rider of the day. I played my cards and that was the result for today. A different and fun kind of racing. You learn something with every style.

I really wanted to bring home a National championship jersey for my support and my team. In the end, a 2nd and two 3rds is where I landed this weekend. But more importantly I had a lot of fun. Racing is something that is a gift, it’s fun, and it’s special. I spent time with friends, made some new friends and got to remember some of those special feelings we only experience when we push ourselves outside our comfort zone.

Until the next time…..

And hopefully it’s not another year and half before I get to play again :)

Masters Cycling Nationals 2021