Saturday, July 26, 2008

I am not a Ferrari. . .



So after today's race I'm chugging up towards Parley's summit in my Liberty. I'm doing well passing people when I see a sports car quickly riding up behind me. Soon he is close enough that I can see the Gold insignia and as he zips around me like I'm standing still I realize it is a Ferrari. Sweet! But then I have to laugh because it is just like on my bike races. I'm zipping along doing fine feeling good when someone passes me like I'm standing still. I guess it is all about perspective.

Chalk Creek Road race was today. I felt good about this one despite the hills. With Alisha, Allison, Breanne and Jamie all playing with the big girls in the 123 field I thought I might get a top 5. At the start line I only recognized a few riders which is pretty unusual. Missy blew the whistle to start and 3 of the women took off like greyhounds out of the chute (I guess they didn't get the memo that in road racing we have at least 5 miles of BSing before the racing begins). I hung on up small rollers but we lost 3 women pretty quick. The three hammer heads at the front stayed at the front and set a fast pace. By the second big climb I was off the back.

I suffered alone in what I thought was a headwind until the turn around- then there was a bigger headwind. I'm still not sure how this is possible but biking seems to invite headwinds regardless of direction. Still I was able to hammer back down the road and keep some speed up going back over the rollers. I managed to pass one competitor but never could catch Kris. I finished 8th but after I found out the top 3 places went to Olympic speed skaters (19 year olds that train 6 hours a day) I am not counting them and am giving myself 5th. Top 5 right where I expected to be!

Speaking of perspective, this was Alisha Welch's first Cat 3 race. She won, beating out some heavy hitters in the 1/2 field.

4 comments:

Rio's Rider said...

I saw the Ferrari too. It was with an Astin Martin, a Porche, a Viper, and a Lotus. I took some pictures, but they turned out not so good since I took them through the dirty windshield.

I may have to come back and leave more comments. I only got as far as the Ferrari part before I came here to post a comment. Going to finish reading the rest of your post now...

Rio's Rider said...

I was disappointed that the headwind didn't turn into a tailwind, too. I think it must have been a good crosswind.

After the race I told Alisha how thankful I was that she was putting the hurt on the 1/2/3s now instead of us.

Why, exactly, do you suppose the speed skaters showed up? Cross training?

Dave and Alisha said...

Shanna, thanks for the shout out. I was lucky enough to have just enough left in the tank at the end. Nice race yourself, it's up to you and Kris to represent in the 4 field.

Downhilldiva said...

Alisha, you rock! Holy cow. We are all very pleased at how well you, Breanne, Jamie and Allison are doing. It makes us feel better about all the times the 4 of you left us in the dust. Keep up the good work!

Kris, I guess biking is part of the speedskaters training. They were telling Diane about their watts. . . we have no reason to feel bad.