On Sunday, June 7, 2009, Jay, the kids, Stu (there again to support his team (Norco), cheer, and take pictures as his injury heals) and myself headed to London for O-Cup #4 at Boler Mountain. This venue has always been alot of fun and is the closest of the O-Cups to us (only 2 hours away!). We still had to get up early because Paiten's race was at 8:30 a.m. and we had yet to register her! So up out of bed and out of the driveway by 5:40 a.m.. We all were able to sleep and once again (as usual) Jay drove in silence (the odd kid snoring or maybe it was Stu) after only getting a few hours of sleep the night before. The race venue was oddly relaxing/calming. Paiten and I made our way to get her registered and for me to sign in. Going into this race I was tied for series overall point leader and upon signing in I was given the leaders jersey. I was pretty pumped. Not to mention it is a sweet looking jersey! On to Paiten's race..... The course started off with a series of climbs up and down the front of the 'mountain'. Paiten had a great opening climb and looked strong. She had 1 shortened lap to do. After seeing the leaders come through in her category we waited, and waited, and waited.... then here she came down the final downhill, up the last couple of climbs with a look of anger..... What's up? She biked over to me and displayed every emotion. Her chain had come off and got stuck, she had to take her rear wheel off to fix it and had lost a bunch of time. She was so excited for this race and was up near the front with the leaders when this happened. Her disappointment set in. It's all part of racing and she got over it and is ready to redeem herself at the next race!! I'm so proud of her.
With Paiten's race over, we really just had to wait around for my race at 1:30 p.m.. I took in a quick nap in the back of the van and totally 'chillaxed' the rest of the morning. I started getting ready around 12:30 and soon after made my way to the staging area. I was the first called up to the start line! (Benefit of having the leaders jersey, woo-hoo! I say as I raise the roof with my hands!!) I was then joined by the rest of the super strong field. At 'go' I had a decent start and felt strong right through the series of opening climbs. As always it took me the first lap to find my flow. (I need to work on that!!) The course had open climbs, flowing single track and some pretty fast downhills, one in which if I had been an inch closer to the tree I would have been airborn. I still feel the breeze and hear the sound of that tree that seemed to jump out at me! Accident/injury avoided, phew! I did manage however (at a different spot) to smack my knee off my handle bar, sending sharp pains through the knee cap and causing a momentary numbness and lack of power to my right leg. No 'biggie' it was all good for the next power climb! Anyhow, I put together a strong race and finished 4th. I was happy with that!!
Now there's a few weeks in between O-Cups and I will try to fill my schedule with Michigan races where possible. There are a couple other options that I am considering on the calendar. Looks like I have some training weeks ahead of me!!!
Cheers,
Sue
P.S. (Kim and Pak are on the mend. Pak has even been out on his bike. He is one crazy, stubborn, pain driven, 'cyclist'/'biker'! For now Kim just has to settle with riding in my basket on the front of my handlebars!!!)
With Paiten's race over, we really just had to wait around for my race at 1:30 p.m.. I took in a quick nap in the back of the van and totally 'chillaxed' the rest of the morning. I started getting ready around 12:30 and soon after made my way to the staging area. I was the first called up to the start line! (Benefit of having the leaders jersey, woo-hoo! I say as I raise the roof with my hands!!) I was then joined by the rest of the super strong field. At 'go' I had a decent start and felt strong right through the series of opening climbs. As always it took me the first lap to find my flow. (I need to work on that!!) The course had open climbs, flowing single track and some pretty fast downhills, one in which if I had been an inch closer to the tree I would have been airborn. I still feel the breeze and hear the sound of that tree that seemed to jump out at me! Accident/injury avoided, phew! I did manage however (at a different spot) to smack my knee off my handle bar, sending sharp pains through the knee cap and causing a momentary numbness and lack of power to my right leg. No 'biggie' it was all good for the next power climb! Anyhow, I put together a strong race and finished 4th. I was happy with that!!
Now there's a few weeks in between O-Cups and I will try to fill my schedule with Michigan races where possible. There are a couple other options that I am considering on the calendar. Looks like I have some training weeks ahead of me!!!
Cheers,
Sue
P.S. (Kim and Pak are on the mend. Pak has even been out on his bike. He is one crazy, stubborn, pain driven, 'cyclist'/'biker'! For now Kim just has to settle with riding in my basket on the front of my handlebars!!!)
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