Adventures of the Northwest

Saddle did not do a bum good! :(

So I was sooooo stoked to try out the Tsunami bike I am borrowing from another racer. I was going to test ride it and race on it last night to see how I liked it, how it felt and see if I'd like to purchase it. Hey - it looked great in my apartment so I could stand for it to be a permanent fixture. ;) I got to Marymoor pretty early and got settled in. I spoke with a few people like Sile and had fun hanging out while getting ready. I then hopped on the bike and started out for my warm-up.

My legs were actually feeling pretty good after trying to take a rest week. I felt slightly dehydrated but not enough to impede on me. I got some efforts in after toodling around a bit saying hi to people as we passed and shortly talking to Kevin. Poor guy, his pedal broke the night before and although he wasn't racing he wanted to get a workout in. At some point my bum started to get more and more agitated. I felt like I was sitting on the seam and it was riding up on me. I decided to come in and spoke with John Hansen about switching things up again. We made some minor adjustments and I went out again. I felt a little bit better and tried a pace line again. Wasn't feeling completely good. I then did an effort and was 'bouncing' during the effort which completely did me in. I pulled in and was trying to get comfortable as it was almost time for the rider meeting. After the meeting, I realized from some physical signs that this was not the night for me to try and race with this issue. Some of the girls encourage me not to race so I wouldn't make things worse and also to get credited for racing next week.

*sigh* I am really frustrated. I guess I should have assumed I would have had problems with the saddle that was put on that bike. I have now taken the saddle off my old track bike to see how I feel after doing the workout tonight. We will see how that feels. *sigh* I'm really discouraged right now. I was feeling pretty rested, pretty strong for last night. I was so disappointed I could not do the races. I just feel like I'm sliding downhill with energy and/or strength since early July. A matter of the lack of proper workout schedules, time with family, motivation due to some track events that occurred and then my overall energetic level. Perhaps it is true burnout like I've never felt before. It is frustrating. I want to end the season on a high note. I want to feel good, to feel strong, to feel fast. At this point, I feel more excited to get my winter training going. To get into the gym to lift weights, to spin, to go for winter rides (and I HATE the rain! UGH!), to do cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, hiking, running and all kinds of things. I am excited to get with a new coach that I think can take me up to the next level and will force me to do road racing which I know will make me faster and stronger. I want that BAD! I want that so BAD it hurts. I think that is why it is so hard to feel the way I am now. After last week's race and not feeling any energy and then this week's saddle problems - I just want to do the best I can for the next 4 weeks and end on a good foot.

Oh well... there's always next year and I know next year I'll be on a whole new track level of physical strength and endurance. I am looking forward to it. I am looking forward to ending this season, resting, watching my friends do cross (and dog sitting- WOOHOO!), having winter fun, losing more weight and just moving forward to spring racing, track racing and lots of FUN! :) I am looking forward to the difficult challenges that lay ahead.

posted by Seattlebiker @ 4:25 PM