Hillarys Report

The only real reason why I did the SC Crit today was because I had no good excuse not to. The course is practically in my back yard and I had nothing else planned but I was scared. I�m not much of a road/crit racer, all of those people packed in close together with brakes makes me realllly nervous. My main goal was to not crash; second to that was to try to stay with the pack for at least half of the race. Since this was only my second race as a cat 3 in as many years and it was a Pro/1/2/3 race I was pretty sure that I was going to get dropped fast. Well, I totally surprised myself. I hung out in the back of the pack for most of the race, waiting to get dropped and it never happened. I felt great. I felt like I was hardly even breathing hard and I could hear women around me huffing and puffing away. The pace was pretty consistent throughout the race and it was totally manageable. Finally, we had one lap to go, I still felt really good & I realized that I had a chance at a top 10 position. I got up toward the front of the pack, right behind Claire, and hung on. We headed into the last turn, up the hill and I gave it all I had. A damm long sprint but I pedaled as hard as I could, catching girls along the way to finish in 6th place. I was shocked, I totally surprised myself. I even got a blurb in the local news:

Drink Beer!

The Santa Cruz Classic (or if you prefer, the NorCal/NV Criterium Championships!) was a great way to finish off the road season. The course is one of my favorites and you cant beat Santa Cruz when theres crisp, beautiful weather. Most of the usual suspects were there, but it seemed like some girls must have decided to call it quits for the year because the field was pretty darn small. Maybe 20 girls.

I didnt have much ambition for the day, since Id spent all day Saturday drinking beer and espresso at Kim & Gregs wedding. Actually, now that I think about it, I have had some great hangover rides. I think beer is pretty good for you.

I felt downright frisky and had some fun near the front, but before you knew it, the race was near an end! Only 20 laps; I think we only raced for 40 minutes. Anyway, I had a whole lot left in the tank I guess because I passed about 4 people out of the last turn and another couple girls on the way to the line. I came in 4th, and Hillary let loose for 6th place! Not bad, Not bad!

I think this is like the fifth time Ive come in 4th place this year. Its getting old; I really want to be 3rd, 2nd, or 1st!

I hope this race planted a seed in Hillarys brain. She was a little apprehensive on the start line, but I hadnt a doubt in my mind that shed be fine. Sure enough, she rode right near the front and Im 99.99% positive that she had fun!

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004