Portsmouth Criterium 9/18/11 LAST ROAD RACE of the SEASON

I started a new job 2 weeks ago and I have been loving it. I get up early and commute 3.5 miles there and back every day. It is all up hill on the way, but it feels good and wakes me up! I have been winding down with my volume and training over the last two weeks. I will be taking this weekend off to recover mentally and physically to avoid burn-out before starting the Cyclocross season. I know that I can have a successful season, but my body needs some time to heal. I will have one more XC mountain bike race in October, and it will be my FIRST as a PRO!
On September18th, I raced in the 77th annual Smuttynose Portsmouth Criterium. It was a NorEast-Met Life sponsor race. I was excited for the race, the weather was perfect. My legs were a bit sore, but I figured I would have time to get a solid warm up in and they would open up more. I felt okay on my spin, but I started to do tempo into LT and my legs were not so happy. The course opened up for inspection so I did a few laps on the course and hopped back on the trainer to do a few VO2's and then it was time to hustle to the bathroom, etc. I was trying to combat any negative thoughts about my legs at the start line. The whistle blew and I got into the race. A few teams were sending off racers and a few attacks were made. I was trying to stay patient in the field, but that did not last too long. I  ended up getting on the front, wanting to do something, but not so sure what. I ended up sprinting for several primes, placing second, but it ended up that they were only one deep. I did win one, but I was a bit annoyed with myself that I did not pay hard enough attention (it is always hard to understand what is being said over the mic when racing), I need to work on that. My patience in the pack is something I need to work on, especially with lack of team-mates. I was very strong and showed other riders I was a threat. I was too willing, however, to do the work and ride strong. When the time really counted to ride strong, I was not able to do so, due to being in the wrong place. I was 4th wheel into the final turn, but then when attacks came from the right and the left and two of the riders in front of me made no move, I was boxed in and I could not do anything in that brief moment. I will know for next year to not be in the middle for that sprint. Last year I was in a great position that allowed me to not get stuck. My legs felt a bit sapped after the race. I cooled down and then helped load hay bails onto the truck for volunteer work. Ryan and I spent a few hours at the volunteer party with good friends and lots of food. There is always next year! I tend to think that not performing my best, is what keeps me hungry for more B-)

Landmine XC 9/11/11 & PRO UPGRADE!!!

What a day! This race holds a special place for me in my heart because it is where I did my first XC race in 2008. I had entered the sport category and placed 3rd. I was unable to compete in the 2009 season, due to blowing out my knee in a skier-cross accident, but I competed in the event last summer (2010) in my first Pro-Open race. Well, the Pro racer who beat me by 12 seconds last year, was behind me this year by 8 minutes! I ripped the course up. The smile never left my face. I loved every minute of it! About 1/2 way through the race when I got off the bike for a section I felt my front tire and it was at about 15 psi! By the time I went to bed that night it was flat. I am not a fan of the Schwalbe Racing Ralph tubless ready tires that came on the Cannondale Scalpel 2. Their marketing for them is faulty because they have caused me problems at Nationals, Beer Creek XC, and not this race. I have put the proper amount of Stan's in and have made sure to seal them properly. I plan to invest in other tires next year. Anyway, this was my last race as a Cat. 1 racer, because the other day (9/12) I received my PRO UPGRADE!!!! I am excited to look into the Pro XTC circuit for next season. I will now be looking for a team/shop sponsorship and funding for races/travel. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this dream come true B-)

GMSR 2011

GMSR (Green Mountain Stage Race 9/2-5/11) recap: 
Everyone was lucky to be able to participate in this year's GMSR, due to the fact that hurricane Irene had swept through all of Vermont, causing terrible havoc. Roads, homes, businesses, historic bridges, totally gone in just one day. It was really sad to see, but the state and towns where the races went through, wanted the racers to come just as badly as the racers wanted to come! A lot of changes were made to the courses to make things work. I had actually taken GMSR off of my race schedule a few weeks before the event, due to the fact that my team-mates were injure and I did not have anyone to share housing with.. A week before the races, however, one of my friends was able to fit me in to a condo with her friend and family! My coach and I were not so sure about me going, but in the end, I figured even if I was not peaking for the event, I could still have a good time and get in solid training! Well, hard training was definitely handed to me, and a few good lessons learned, due to me not really knowing the equipment that I borrowed. Read below to find out more:
Day 1-when using tubulars, make sure to pump them up the day of the race, 80 psi does no good in a TT. I also realized when I got home that I had been using a 11x23 rear cassette...and with that type of climb in the TT, I should have had nothing lower than a 11x25! But I was use to my regular tube wheel-set and 11x28 rear cassette that I just did not think anything of it! Day 2-you know something is wrong with either the circuit course or the racers when almost every single field has a crash at the finish line. I raced really well and stayed at the front up the QM climbs, but when it came to the sprint, there was a disastrous crash that left a few women on the pavement. I was right near it and was lucky to not be hurt and ride another day. I just rode across the finish line with the rest of the pack. I spent the entire afternoon-evening with our friend in the hospital while he got stitches and had to get his bike repaired. Not ideal recovery! Day 3-I did not sleep well Saturday night, not ideal for the road race, but I still managed to make it across the finish line upright! The modified road race course (due to the flood) was boring, the field let a solo break happen 6 miles in and never attacked, simply soft pedaling for over 40 miles and everyone only sprinting up Baby App. Gap. to App. Gap. I still had no idea that the rear cassette was an 11x23, so I climbed the 20% grade with that...not that it is a good thing to brag about, but heck! Not sure many people could attempt that climb with that gearing, non the less after 115 miles of racing already (my compact front crank saved me!). The light weight wheels were amazing as far as lightness was concerned, but I forgot to check a lot of things. I will not forget to check these things when I own a pair of my own! Day 4-flash floods in downtown Burlington cancelled the Crit. (the main event I was waiting to shred all weekend and really only cared about!), after I had already changed into my kit and lugged my trainer to a dry spot for warming up. Oh well, it is bike racing! I did not have a desire-able overall finish, but considering I did not really go into the race fully prepared, I still did well by placing in pay-out. I a had fun time with friends and oh, did I  mention that I learned some valuable lessons???? HA!