Race Notes

A few years ago, USAC Level 2 coach Mike Birner of Mid-Maryland Coaching wrote for Cyclocross Magazine:

Before we talk about rest and you get too comfortable on the couch, there are a few things that need to be done. Take a moment to make some notes about the season, especially if you haven’t been doing so race by race. Look back over the events that you’ve done and list where you think you went wrong and where you succeeded. Write down details such as what parts of certain courses you had difficulty with, such as a particular off camber or a certain hill. What courses suited your abilities and what types of efforts comprised that course? Also, make note of where you think your training fell into place or didn’t quite work out. Did you feel like you were lacking in power on the flat sections? Did you feel like you had your starts dialed in? Even include details about what you learned regarding equipment choices for each event. Would you have benefited by a more aggressive tread or a lower tire pressure, or was the gearing you had not sufficient? You’ll find that the more details you write down, the more it becomes clear as to what you’ll need to work on for next year. Keep these notes in a safe place. 

Good advice, Mike. That's what I'll start to do here. 

Like a kid on Christmas

Four races into my first CX season, I'm starting to take some notes of my races. Otherwise, how will anyone know that the reason I finished so poorly at Gloucester Day 2 was a flat tire? (That was one of many reasons, actually.)

Gloucester in '12 was the first cross race I ever saw. The moment I saw the course and the racers, like ants traveling in lines, seemingly in all directions, my eyes opened wide. Like a kid on Christmas. I *knew* I needed to try this!

 A few months later, I bought a bike, a steel-framed '11 Trek Presidio (more on that later). I set some goals: complete D2R2 and try cross race in '13. Today, in September of '13 I can truthfully say I accomplished my goals for the year, and then some.

I rode all spring and summer with Ride Studio Cafe. I went to CycleSmart CX Camp. I've now raced four times, and I'm hooked! I love the races, I love the scoring, I love the fans, and I can't stop thinking about racing.

 The only problems is, I'm pretty terrible! This blog will help me track and share my progress from a Cat 5 newbie to a Cat 4 wannabe, and then, who knows?

I'm #260 at White Park in Concord, NH.