Adventures of the Northwest

End of the season...

It is the end of the track season. With the end comes many different feelings of sadness, disappointment, happiness, relief and many others. Wednesday night's race was a bit off for me. I could tell I was completely exhausted moreso than I ever imagined. I sucked. I was sooooo exhausted and my heart rate was 188 most of the 'warm-up'.

First race was an 8 lap tempo and I was off the back for most of it. I would just catch up and the pack would take off again and I didn't feel I had enough energy to keep up. Second race I decided not to do it. The third race was a 4x4 which I was able to stay in the back, to the middle and then before the 2nd sprint two people took off in the sprinter's lane and I was in the best position to jump so I did. I just jumped on Jen's wheel and she was behind someone else and we went. I then went
around them and I was able to hold the sprint for almost a lap and took the points. I had nothing after that. I simply died. About the last 5 or 6 laps I was
by myself. Just doing laps. I was in turn 2 when I heard the bell ringing as they were on the front stretch for the last lap. I was toast!

It was good overall though. very challenging. Took a recovery drink and hope that will help and I'll be rested for Friday. We will see.


Friday night felt the same way. I did some paceline warm-ups and a couple efforts. My heart rate was now 192 and it was taking 5 or 6 laps for me to get into the 170s or 160s. I remember early in the season it would just be a lap or two and I would be recovered down to like 140's, 130s. UGH! Obviously more tired or out of shape already with the end of the season.

Most of the evening for warm-up I rode above the blue line and tried to take it easy but tried to keep my legs spinning. Perhaps this was a mistake but I'll never know. I was trying to keep them going as our race was only going to be one shot and we were having to sit for about an hour prior to getting to the rail. We got to the rail and with lots of spectators in the bleechers and around the whole velodrome - we took off. Our pack was able to stay together. I luckily stayed in about mid-pack. I was unable to muster the strength for any courageous sprints but I stuck on wheels and stuck in the group. It felt good but it was also painful. Before I knew it it was all over. I was able to do a long cool-down with some of the women and then talk in the in-field with them. One of my friends came over to talk to me and hang out with me in the beer garden. I was able to see other people I haven't seen for awhile that came to visit me like Louise, Leslie and Carl. It was nice to visit with them for awhile as well. They left fairly soon but Kelly stayed around to visit with me.

I was able to congratulate Jill B as she was upgraded to a Cat 3. Jitka was also upgraded. Congrats girls! :) It was fun talking to people, seeing the awards handed out and also seeing a streaker by the end of the evening. LOL! That was hilarious! I was there until midnight and it felt good to say goodbye to most of the people I raced with this year.

Saturday I decided to go up to Rattlesnake Lake and hang out for a bit next to the Lake. It felt really good just to be. Today I will be going for a hike with a college friend. On Monday I'm going to the races and then going to a BBQ. It should be a lot of fun. Thursday I'm heading down to Portland to try and race down there for the first time. It will be fun to take a road trip with Jane and get out of here. I need to do things that I havent' done all summer, need to get out, do refreshing, battery re-charging things to feel better.

I'm lookin gforward to winter training, of being bored, of just spinning and not thinking about tactics and such. To weight train, cross-country ski and whatever else I do. It will be good. I realize now I need to stay out of the energy sucking velodrome politics and save it all for myself and the track. I need to be selfish that way and I realize what other things I need to do for myself to get above and beyond where I am this year. Next year should be a big stepping stone and with less expectations.

posted by Seattlebiker @ 11:31 AM