Race #2 Approaches

Over the last week, I've spent a lot of time looking back on my first race, but with only one week to my second event, I'm trying what I've learned and apply it to Saturday's laps.

In some ways, I feel more ready for the next race than the previous race. I have a better idea of what to expect, and I have a pretty good idea of where I'm stronger and where I am weaker.

I do know that my next race will be different. Mad Anthony will be a USAC-sanctioned race and while I'll still be racing at the beginner level, I also expect the general attitude of this race to be more serious and competitive than the Kisscross series. Unfortunately, I can't make Kisscross this time around, but I'm excited to participate in my first "official" event.

This weekend's practice sessions reinforced my feeling that dismounts and remounts were not going to give me as much trouble as I expected. They are both really starting to feel quite natural.

Touring bike converted for cyclocross

My muscles feel good. On the climbs I really felt like my legs were strong and comfortable, and I really felt much more comfortable on the lower tire pressure - about 28 psi - and smaller chainrings - from 48-36 to 42-30. I've changed my stem, the angle now parallel with the top tube, which greatly improved my handling on the turns and descents.

The converted touring bike is working well in its new role, but one thing that I'm noticing is going to be a problem is the placement of the cable guides - on the bottom left of the top tube, perfectly placed to dig into my shoulder. I'll probably cut them off and replace with clamp-on guides, or maybe have them brazed-on in a new location. In the meantime, I'll just have to endure the discomfort.

The biggest challenge for me right now is cardiovascular. I'm still working to get my breathing and heart rate control on the tougher terrain and on the hills, which I wouldn't even really call hills were they on pavement. I also think that I need to learn to accept the level at which my heart and lungs are going to be working during cyclocross, which compared to road cycling, is really only comparable to the longest or steepest climbs or the hardest sprints. I'm used to thinking that unless I'm sprinting or climbing, if my heart rate or breathing are out of control, something is wrong.  I need to get myself to understand and remember that in cyclocross, this is not the case. I will need to work harder, period.

Beautiful Mount Frandor

For the rest of the week, I'll be doing short, high-intensity laps on and around "Mt. Frandor" hoping to maintain whatever cardiovascular fitness I do have for race day.

As far as performance expectations, I am somewhat troubled by the fact that I now have some. I'm not sure exactly what my expectations are, but since I actually didn't lose,  introductory race, I now want to improve upon my previous results, without putting too much pressure on myself. I plan on arriving earlier, getting a good warm-up in and becoming familiar with the course, and trying to put everything I can into this race, no matter how much it hurts, and we'll see where that gets me. It's only 30-40 minutes. I can take it. Or at least I can try.