Hey all! So, this weekend was the 2012 NICA California State Championships, NorCal meets SoCal. I was super stoked. 2nd year on the course, first year varsity, feeling good, tons of friends there, what’s not to love? Honestly though, I was a little nervous for the race. I raced really hard to qualify for nationals (I succeeded) the weekend before at Rockhopper, and there are a lot of really strong riders who didn’t race that race (Ironically, I believe this race was beneficial, especially considering the Varsity winner raced Rockhopper with me).
Anyway, I went in just to do the very best I could, hoping for a top 20 in the 55+ (I don’t know the start count because results only show those who finished at least one lap, and there were a number who didn’t). Don’t be confused by this statement, I always race with the intent to win, I only hope to convey that I had no illusions about my ability to win. The top guys this year are extremely strong, and I look forward to following their results internationally through the season. I hope to be as near that level as I can be next year. Anyway, off topic.
States was in Los Olivos, near San Luis Obispo, California. It was hot enough that the race directors dropped our lap count from 4 laps to 3 to avoid killing their athletes with heat exhaustion. I was happy, it wasn’t as hot as Rockhopper the weekend before. That ceased to be reassuring as I grew a puddle of sweat around my trainer during warm up. I was cooking. I continued to douse myself in ice water on the line. Race started like always, total hammer fest. That first lap was not the greatest for me, I was feeling sore and not firing quite right. But I hit the descent in to the end of lap 1 and felt much better. I ran away from the group I was with and started running down the guys ahead of me. I hit the steep climbs on lap 2 and got drenched in ice water by my girlfriend. Thanks again, Julie.
There is nothing like ice water to keep you cool, mentally and physically. I carry and extra bottle in hot races to stay cool, but there is nothing like a bottle of ice water down your back to calm and focus you in a scorching race. And when I say scorching, I mean I thought my black shoes were melting on the line, and the water cooked off my jersey almost faster than I could put it on.
Cooled off, I continued running down competitors, I was feeling great. I got more water on my back from my sister, then my mom, then some friends. It was so helpful. I continued my “strategy” of ride like a heat crazed racer till I finish. Catch, pass, find the next guy, repeat. I blazed around my last lap, rocketing up the climbs and barreling the descents, as they became more and more blown out each lap. I flew down the final descent to flat, and into the finish. And it was over. My first year in varsity done.
I was able to take 17th place out of 55+ starters(as aforementioned) and 53 finishers. Congrats to everyone out there, it was a brutal race. I’m continuing my busyness this weekend, the BP crit on Saturday and the Folsom Prison MTB race on Sunday, the series finale. I’m in contention for the series win in the HS expert class, and I’m really looking forward to both races this weekend. This will be my 4th race weekend in a row, I wonder how long I can keep the streak going? I’ll keep you posted!
Anyway, I went in just to do the very best I could, hoping for a top 20 in the 55+ (I don’t know the start count because results only show those who finished at least one lap, and there were a number who didn’t). Don’t be confused by this statement, I always race with the intent to win, I only hope to convey that I had no illusions about my ability to win. The top guys this year are extremely strong, and I look forward to following their results internationally through the season. I hope to be as near that level as I can be next year. Anyway, off topic.
