Adventures of the Northwest

Somehow while racing I managed to keep my lunch with me...

I don't know... too much sugar throughout the day? Just nerves? Nerves and sugar? Need electrolytes? not enough carbs/protein this week since I cut back? It could have been so many things... Wednesday night's first race was an 8 lap tempo... on, off, on, off just a bunch of sprinting for 8 laps. It was HARD! I kept working and working to be one of the first two. In fact, I swear on one of the sprints I was 2nd, the last sprint I definitely was second with a 3,2,1 (maybe the officials changed the point system from what the starter told us) and one of the sprints I was crossing the line with 2 other riders but I think my wheel was slightly behind both of them. It was SOOOOO close like photo finish. I only managed 2 points out of that race. However, John was most impressed with the fact that out of a 6 rider field I was able to come from the last place coming across the finish line on the bell lap to then move up and past 4 other riders taking that 2nd lap. YEAH!

However, at the end of the 1st race I realized my legs felt as toasted as they have felt at the end of the 3rd race the last 2 Wednesday nights. I knew that was not a good sign. I kept rolling around the warm-up circle until I felt I had my legs back. Not only that but after jumping on my rollers for about 15 mins in the am, I walked into work and had a sharp pain near my IT band above my knee. It stuck around all night but seemed to lessen if I was moving.

The 2nd race was an unknown distance. I think we went somewhere between 6 and 8. I lost track after 5. Jenny pulled the first four laps or so. Lara pulled another lap or so. I was next.... I knew it was going to be soon. I was pulling against the wind from Lara's pull out. I was debating about Woody's advice last week - if I can pull to turn 1 then whomever is next has to pull upwind. I could have time to breath again; however, something inside me said as soon as I get to turn 4 I know that bell is going to ring and I'll be in the front pulling and I'll have to try to defend my position for a whole lap. So I pulled up track late between 3 and 4.... and sure enough that dang bell rang.... Still came in last. That was fine... I didn't care.... most of the time I was able to draft and felt good...saving my legs for the 4x4 final race.

The 4x4 was tough as my legs were already spent and my lunch kept trying to revisit me... I kept thinking and finally voiced - my lunch is saying I'm on my way back to you girl! UGH! so needless to say I didn't do as well as I had hoped. It's ok though.... I know I'll do better next week. Next week I'll have had some strong training sessions, more carbs/protein, some kick-butt rest and I'll be re-energized. YEAH! It will be way more fun and I'll be doing well.

I did slightly cut my leg up again. Not nearly as bad... so I need new screws and/or buy the stem/handlebars from Hyun and them get them dremeled. My stomach is also feeling very icky still. I realized this morning that as bad as I felt, even after my hot bath, laying in bed I still wanted to hurl.... that I did not do a recovery drink. I didn't even think about it last night it was the last thing on my mind. Tonight, after track training I'll take something and hopefully that will help.

Jane and I just spoke at lunch time today.... we both feel the lactic acid build-up. All of us talked last night about how we were feeling after that first race. We all felt it was harder than we usually go. Jane was wondering if perhaps without the two main 'fast, strong riders' being moved to Fridays if the whole field pushed ourselves harder. That we didn't need to just fight for 2nd, 3rd or 4th and so on but we had to fight to be FIRST, 2nd and 3rd and so on. I don't know... hard to say. We are definitely seeing the speeds going up. Last night as a bad night for me I still hit 27.9, on a good night last Wednesday I hit 29.4 and the week before that was only like 26.7 or something similar. So definitely increasing in speeds and my strength is increasing. Just had an off night last night is all.

In the meantime, tonight I have family watching me train and then I get to spend the weekend with my great niece - one-on-one. I'm going to rent a kid trailer and take her on the trail tomorrow for a nice bike ride. Then, I'm going to take her to the track races and then take her back Saturday... Saturday I got a tea party and roller derby to attend! Should be a blas. Sunday I got track training and a track class to do and then dinner with a girlfriend. :) YEAH! I am really looking forward to it! It should be a blast.

posted by Seattlebiker @ 12:42 PM