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Sara Broek's Journal
Iowa City Weekend
veröffentlicht von: Princess at 14:05 on Mai 06, 2009
I better write this before I forget all about the race.
The Iowa City Road Race was our first required race of the season. And it was a soggy one. Ali, Keely, Heather, and I rode over to Iowa City in the Mommy Van with Maria on Saturday morning. We found our way to the Fairfield/Fairview/WTF-it-was-called Mennonite Church without any problems or running over any horse and buggies. (We actually found that they’re friendlier than most drivers on the road when it comes to cyclists. Maybe it’s because they understand what it’s like to come a little too close to a motorized vehicle.)
Upon arrival, we were scrambling to get signed in, changed into our gear, and properly fueled and warmed up for the big race. I’m a Cat 4 so we were set to ride two 13-mile loops around the area. There were a few women there that I had never met or heard of (since I’m new that’s not really a surprise), so I was really looking forward to seeing what everyone was made of! I was also really looking forward to riding with Kim and Dee from the All9Yards group. They’re fun and because I had met them the TNWC before the race I knew they would be welcoming and friendly competition.
I hopped on my trainer, scoped out the cute boys in spandex, and got ready to race. Once it was time to pull up to the start line, I started getting a little nervous! I had never ridden in conditions like these with a group of 20. Would I slip? Would I bring the group down with me? Would I be riding this entire thing by myself? Then I heard the whistle. We were off.
It was just like any other ride, really. I stuck with the pack and we were going at a pretty steady pace. There were a few girls who were all over the place, but I kept an eye on them. I was trying to take in as much scenery as I could so I would know where I was on the second lap and know what to watch out for the next time around. There were a few people who pulled up, some women who tried to break, but we caught them and stayed together.
On loop #2, we picked up the pace a little. Maria finally was able to have a solid attack and held it strong. I was with the group until a small hill on the backstretch. I was gassin’ I knew that I had more in me though, I knew I could at least catch Kim and I would do my damndest to catch Ali. I was so close! So I took a breather and then finally got Kim. She and I rotated until I saw the Red Barn that was my signal to kick it up. I was in the front and pulled off. I beat Kim to the finish in the sprint. Ali was so close! I got 10th out of about 20. (I think.)
We stuck around post-race to watch Kelli and Keely, along with our fellow Des Moinesians.
Cracked open a beer, ate a big homemade cinnamon roll, and life was good.
After a pretty wild night, we woke up early on Sunday morning ready and rarin’ to go for the Old Capitol Crit. Had some coffee, suited up, and thanked our hosts for a wonderful night.
Ali didn’t have her trainer, so she and I rode around IC for a little warm up. I saw the hill and the 90 degree turn that was part of the course. My stomach instantly dropped. If my teammate hadn’t shown me that dam picture of her crash, I may have been a little less apprehensive about it. But either way, it was steep and it was wet. Ugh. I was going to take this one easy.
I didn’t feel 100%. I was tired and nervous. We crossed the start line and it started raining. I knew that I was just in this race to do the best I could in the conditions I was in. I took it easy down the hill, hard on the uphill (when my chain wasn’t effing with me). I tried to catch those ahead of me and tried to not let anyone pass me. Ten laps went a lot faster than I thought. I got 7th out of 12 or so. Not bad.
Lessons from the road:
1. F*ck the rain. Go down and go wide.
2. I can put more effort out than I have been in the race. I need to feel absolutely exhausted when I’m done.
3. Lube your chain after it rains.
4. Once you lose the confidence, you lose the race.
Bring it on, Finchford.
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