Marymoor Velodrome - 5-leaf clover!

I didn't think we were going to get to race last night. It didn't look like we had enough women for a field and there was a 70% chance of rain. Everything worked out though and we had a nice sized field and it was just dry enough to race. There was a light mist but not enough to wet the track surface. We were on edge all night though wondering if rain would suddenly break out.


As I was crossing the infield to set out my stuff I found a 5-leaf clover right in the middle of the infield. I rarely find five-leaf clovers! I'm not sure if it is supposed to be good luck but I picked it anyway.


My first race of the night was a tempo race. I went for the sprints on the second lap and got the points but I mis-judged the speed of the field as they caught me and didn't catch on. So I spent the rest of the race trying to catch up. It was a silly mistake but I'll be more alert next time. I ended up 6th just out of the overall points.

The next race was a two-lap heat. Two riders advancing to the final and two to the consol. I was paired with Christine and Amara, two of the top sprinters. I got the jump on them but they closed just as I got to the line and I ended up a close 3rd. I felt pretty good about challenging them all the way to the end. I think with a little work over the winter I will be winning some of those close ones. I went to the consol heat and was going to try the same strategy but Laura C took it out fast. There were two Group Health riders in my heat so I got behind them and waited until the last half a lap and came around. One of the Group Health teammates caught me before the line so I got 2nd. I think I should have come around just with a little more punch so they couldn't catch my wheel.

The last race was a points race. I was trying to keep an eye on Jaydeen because I knew she would try to break away. I think she was waiting for me to be distracted before she moved though. I went for the second round of points and right after the line as I was easing up Jaydeen attacked hard. Whoops! There was a prize of $100 if someone lapped the field and I knew she could do it if we sat up. I took several hard pulls to keep the pace up. If someone gets that $100 I am going to make them earn it, even if it means throwing my own race. I was in good position for the final sprint and picked up a few more points. It was fun but I felt like collapsing afterwards!

Mark's parents were at the race so I chatted with them while watching Mark's final race.

Here is a short video of Mark's Keirin heat:

Sprint Mania at Marymoor Velodrome

It looked like it might rain but we got lucky again with the weather.

Last night was sprint mania at Marymoor. They changed up the format and I think it made it more interesting. They divided everybody up into three fields and had a Tourney in each group. So you sprinted against a wider variety of riders. It made it challenging to try to figure out how to race someone stronger. Some of the fast riders showed up that you usually only see on Fridays. It made it feel like an "event".

All of the races were 2-lap heats with 2-4 riders in each race. In my first race one of the guys had a very low race number which meant he was a Cat 2 rider - very fast. There were three of us in the group. We rolled around the track waiting for someone to break for it. I rode in the back and tried to keep them guessing by changing my speed and changing my position on the banking. The strongest rider finally made the attack and I couldn't catch him but the race for second was very close. I lost but it felt good about trying out my ideas.

The second sprint I had to race with one of Mark's teammates who is very strong. I decided to go really early. I jumped hard and got a gap for 1/2 a lap but the other riders caught and passed me before the line. If I get a little more strength that kind of move might work.

On the last race I felt I had pretty good position, riding high on the track - right up until the rider down low attacked hard and I couldn't get to his wheel. I was closing before the finish but couldn't quite get there. I wasn't sure what I did wrong and then I talked to him on the warm down circle. He said that he used the third rider in our group to block my path to his wheel . He moved up slowly until I was blocked and then went for it. He got this great advice from racing against Annette in his previous heat. Annette! My teammate! I gave her grief for helping someone beat me but it was all in good fun. I probably won't forget that tactic.

It was also fun to watch how the riders who beat you did as they advanced to the next round. You could see what they tried and if it worked. Mark did well and took third overall in his group (beat by a Junior).

Velodrome Pictures from last Friday

The Wheels in Focus pictures are up from last Friday. I think this one is my favorite. I'm off the front (not pictured) and the two Giant girls are looking at each other while my teammates are waiting in the wings to strike!


I had to leave work late yesterday because there were thunderstorms, hail, and a chance of a funnel cloud! I'm going to miss summer track racing when it's over.


I found a 4-leaf clover today!

Seward Park Criterium

There were a lot of tired racers at Seward Park today. There was a road race yesterday (I didn't go), a national track qualifier down in Portland, and of course Friday track races. After doing so much track I've neglected my hill climbing. I wasn't too disappointed though, I finished the race and didn't get lapped. At the start of the race there was an attack every lap. I brought the group up to one but I just didn't have any extra energy in my legs. There was a group that got off the front that represented all of the teams so after that the pace became manageable for a while. I got dropped from the group a bunch of times but I kept catching back on the downhill. I lasted with the main group until about 3 laps to go. Then the pace picked up and that was it. I kept riding to finish the race but was very tired at the end.

I found another 4-leaf clover this morning! It was a tiny one.

Welocome Canadians! - Marymoor Velodrome

I got to the track and was unpacking my stuff when I saw this tight group of about 8 riders circling the track in matching kits that I wasn't used to seeing. We had company! The Canadians had stopped by on their way to a big race in Portland. They had three of their top women riders with them too! Since the women's field was going to be stronger than usual some of the local women who usually race with the men decided to join us as well - Kelly and my teammate Annette. This meant we would be doing some fast riding! I could feel the pain in my legs already!

We had three women from my team in the race, Karen, myself, and Annette. Annette discussed strategy with us for the first race, a snowball. I was to go on the attack and try to get early points and then Karen and Annette would go for the later points. So I warmed up good, since I knew I was going to go all out right from the gun. We lined up for the first race and the gun went off and I attacked hard. I wasn't sure if I could get a point on the first lap but I thought if I didn't, at least Karen would be there if I got caught. But I kept the gap and took the point. I kept on the gas because I needed to get as many points as possible to help Annette. I heard Mark yelling from the infield "go for two!" Karen and Annette were in the pack, discouraging them from chasing. I got the next round of points and saw I had a big gap so I didn't let up. The announcer was really getting the crowd going and I stayed out for three more laps! The local girls in the pack decided to make the stronger ones chase and the stronger women were waiting around hoping to sit in. Finally they realized they had to close the gap and the pack caught me but by that time I had been off the front for 5 laps. I had enough points to get second place in the race! Annette was able to get the sprints at the end and win the race so we went 1-2! Hooray! I was really excited to do well.

The next race was a keirin and Annette discussed strategy with me and Karen. Annette was done for the night because she was resting her legs for the races down in Portland. I didn't get the wheel I wanted at the start so I tried riding up the side to mix up the order. But that didn't work and I ended up in back. I came around as the motor pulled off and got a great wheel. But then I wasn't able to match the speed of the strong riders and watched them get away. I need to work on my top end speed! Those girls are strong!

After racing with us the Canadians jumped in the men's field to race with them too. Incredible! They just didn't seem to get tired.

Our last race was a 25 lap scratch race. I was planning to try and rest for the whole race and place at the end but I couldn't resist a good opportunity to attack. I went off the front at least two times and was joined by one of the Canadians on the second attack. But my legs were so fried at this point. They say you should not burn all of your matches before the end of the race, well I might as well have had a bonfire with my matches. I hung on to finish the race but was thoroughly exhausted! That was FUN!

Today is a rest day before racing again tomorrow.

Rain Out

Wednesday night was rained out! I did a few quick intervals instead before our team meeting. I did two 5 minute intervals but was surprised at how low the power was. It was a struggle to hold 230 watts. Maybe I should be working the intervals on the weekends.

Last Sunday I went to the sprinting grounds and did 30 sprints. You can really learn a lot doing a sprint 30 times. You can really think about what your body is doing and how balanced or unbalanced you are. Every part of me was tired after that workout. It reminded me of doing "puke in the gutter" sets when I was swimming at the UW.

Hot racing at Marymoor Velodrome

It was hot last night - at least for a Seattlelite.

I felt a bit weak as I was fighting off a small cold that I had during vacation, so I didn't feel 100%. The first race was a point-a-lap. I tried for some of the points but ended up missing it and then just hung on until the end. I had one teammate in the race but she had also been on vacation all week and was feeling tired as well. After the race I was coughing a whole bunch. I was worried that I might not be able to finish the night. I spit in the grass to clear out the crud.

The next race was the miss-and-out. I stayed out of trouble for the first three laps but I really needed to rest on a wheel. On the 4th lap I was beat and the wave came around on the outside. I think riding in the front is a really good strategy but I think at some point you need a wheel to rest on for at least at lap. After the race I noticed my cough was pretty much gone! Hooray!

On the final race I tried to be in front for the points laps but I didn't have the acceleration in my legs and I kept getting 5th (points go 4 deep). At one point I tried an experiment. The plan was to counter my own attack. To do this you get a gap on the field but it's not a real attack. After the field catches you - you counter. Well the attack went well and I soft pedaled and felt good and was ready to counter when the field came but I misjudged their speed and got swamped. I'm going to try it again sometime but I have to work on the timing. I think if you get it down the field will have trouble deciding if you are going for real or not.

We had about two laps to go and my teammate had some points so I decided to try and set her up for the finish. I attacked hard with about 1-1/2 laps and when the field caught me Karen was right on my wheel. I looked back and she said GO! I hammered around with all I had. I was worried that if I didn't go hard enough someone would come around and box her in. It was not a problem though. She rested and then sped around to take the final points! It was exhilarating to get it together as a team on the final lap.

Upper Latitude Training

Mark and I were on vacation last week in Anchorage. The hotel we were at had some bikes so we got a couple of rides in. We saw some moose too! I don't know if high latitude training has the same benefits as high altitude training but it's worth a try.

The last day we went riding the hotel had already rented out 30 bikes! So we got what was left. My seat had a shock absorber and was really cushy. The position was so upright that I didn't even have to stand going up hills. It made the handling a bit tricky though, the slightest move and the handle bars turn. I almost rode off of the trail a few times.

Attacking the field

Last night I raced in the men's category 4 field again but this time I raced more aggressively. It was a nice warm night and my legs felt great. I took the bus over from Seattle and rested my legs. Mark brought my track bike to his work and then took it with him to the velodrome.

My first race was a snowball. I thought it would be a fast race since the points increase each lap. But it seemed slow and a bit sketchy in the pack. I got swept up track at one point and lost my wheel and had to chase back on.

The next race was a win-and-out. Six laps around and then each lap someone "wins" and leaves the field. I figured we might have a slow pace for the first six laps as riders tried to jockey for position. So I attacked the field right from the start and was off the front for at least a lap before the field caught up with me. It was great fun and I really caught the guys off guard. The crowd was rooting me on too. I finished with the group but felt good about being able to get away from the group and forcing the pace.

The last race was a points race. I had two teammates in the race and I worked out a plan with one of them to do another surprise attack. Mark was watching from above the banking and on our neutral lap he yelled to me "attack the field!" He didn't think I was actually going to do it though! About two laps into the race my teammate went to the front to cover while I attacked hard up the side. I got a good gap and was away from the group for 3/4 of a lap when I heard Mark yelling "work together!" I didn't realize it but a rider from the Wines team had bridged up to me. This was awesome, we had blocking from two teams now. It was a vote of confidence that another rider was willing to take a chance with me. I pulled up track and we worked together for another lap until the field caught us. We were almost away long enough to take some points!

After the group caught me I got gapped off the back for awhile but one of my teammates pulled me back to the group and I finished with the pack. It was fun!

Slang

Check it out - there is even an entry for Jerry Baker:
http://www.velodrome.org/cms/files/downloads/terms_slang.pdf

Sunday training at Marymoor

Mark and I did a workout at the Velodrome today - 2 hours. It may be the longest I've ridden on the track at one time. Mark did some pursuits and some 1-lap efforts. I practiced hanging on to his wheel. I think I am getting better at staying on the wheel. I can stay on Mark's wheel at least! I found that using my core muscles helped.

At the end I practiced coming around Mark in the sprint. One of the other riders, Hugh, was helping me with the timing of slingshotting around. It was fun but my legs were toast afterwards. I took an ice bath to cool them down.

My own cheering section at Marymoor

I had a real cheering section last night. My Mom and Dad, my brother, his wife and son, and my cousins from Iowa all came to watch us race. It was great to have everyone out. It's also fun to hear what others think when they see the racing in person. They all liked watching us race but the kiddie kilo was a show stealer! They couldn't believe how many kids were out there. I can't wait until my nephew is old enough for a tricycle so he can "race" too.

I made the mistake of resting too much after the FSA race and my legs felt like they were missing the snap needed for the sprints. I had a good time racing though. The first race was a tempo and Devon and I got away for several laps. The Women's field was small though and everybody got points so my placing wasn't very high.

In the miss-in-out I managed to get through the first couple of rounds by riding on the front but I was out on the third round on a very close finish. I was pleased not to be out in the first round though after the last two miss-in-outs.

The last race was a 15 lap scratch race. I conserved energy for the finish but wasn't able to do much more at the end. It felt like my gear was huge even though it was the same one I've been using all year. I think I need to do some sprints during the week to keep the legs strong even if I am recovering.

Thanks everyone for coming out - and for taking pictures!