4th place! Oooh, did I work for it. I finally learned from all those races where I took too many turns pulling, only to be too tired to last long in the final sprint. This time, I stayed in the middle of the pack for all 6 laps, then held a good long sprint at the end, passing two girls and not getting passed.
The best part? I actually felt like I knew what I was doing this time. A few girls asked where I'd been in July and it was nice to know my absence was noticed. One girl told me she wanted to thank me for "coaching" her on her first race several weeks ago. I just remember sucking her wheel and cheering her on. And one girl, with white film around her mouth and bulging eyes, asked me for advice. Me! I told her to drink water and get some sunglasses.
What it comes down to is positive self-talk. Visualization. This lesson has presented itself over and over to me in so many facets of my life. It's ok to tell myself I'm the best.
I love racing for all of its life lessons and camaraderie and strategizing and speed and fun and maybe, one day, glory.
One of these evenings we HAVE to arrange for different start times so we can watch each other race. I STILL think you roadies are TOTALLY GONZO for what you do, out there on pavement at 30 mph, where people DIE doing that stuff. You're all insane. And brave as crap.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your placing! You MONSTAH!
Yay! My first follower! I have some friends reading, but they don't have blogspot accounts.
ReplyDeleteI am totally down for a "ladies mountain bike play date". We'll figure something out. I'm a big chicken in the dirt, but I do own a MTB. My rational mind knows the pavement is dangerous, but I am coo coo for cocoa puffs on it. Anyway, we'll e-mail and make a plan.
Your post from today gives me great hope - showing up consistently COUNTS. And that's my plan for August. Dang, I want that green jersey!