Sarah Wins at San Rafael!

My last race of the year! Looking back at what I had listed as my goals for the year, I had wanted to win just one race. This turned out to be the one. The course was one that suited me. As I am finding out, any crit course with a climb in it, whether steep or not, I really like. This one had just that. The course ran 2 blocks East/West, descending and ascending one block North/South. This race used to be on the Pro Circuit, but they hadn�t had it since �04. It turned out to be BIG! I have never been in a race with so many spectators everywhere, and with a huge announcers booth getting everyone all pumped up! As it turned out, one of the announcers was a good friend of ours, Dave Towle!

Anyway, I had a great warm-up, and with my coach and my friend Alexis there, I was feeling pretty good! My other friend who works at another REI, Alexis Alexander, was also there and racing, and when I got up to the start line, she was there, and ushered me up to the very front. By the way, she won the race overall. I was a bit nervous, because this race was Women�s 3-4, but hey, it can only make you stronger, right? My focus was to stay with Alexis A., as I knew she had won this race 2 years ago, and is a super strong and confident rider. So I did just that, and to my surprise, I did not feel fatigued or tired or breathless throughout the race. Claire was right when she said racing with the guys really helps!!

I focused on staying in the top 5-8 or so throughout the race, and I did just that. With one lap to go, the announcers were getting the crowd going CRAZY, and it was the most exciting and energetic thing I have ever experienced at a race. I dropped the hammer with the rest of the top 10 women and as we came down the last descent and around the corner to the long finishing straightaway, I was in the bunch sprint with 7 other women, all of whom stayed out ahead of me.....but my goal was not to get passed in the sprint finish, and I didn�t. I realized then that I had won my category, and had come in 8th overall! This was exactly the way I wanted to end my season! Here is to next year!

Sarah Miller

2008

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