It was cold on Friday. I took my winter coat and wore three layers under my skinsuit. I wore my coat in between the races. Track is tricky because you get sweaty and then you stand around until your next race. You can get very chilled if it is under 60 and there is a breeze.
I raced a Keirin, a 10 lap scratch, and a points race. I did not make it through the kerin heats this time. I though I had it and I let up before the line - only to see two riders come shooting past. Ooops!
I took a chance on the scratch race. They called a prime on lap 7 and I did not go for it but was up at the front and there was a
separation. I tried to get the two girls up there to go with me and one did but the other was gassed. I didn't quite catch the wheel but tried to stay ahead of the pack. It didn't quite work and the pack came zooming by with 1/2 lap to go. I sat up and rolled in still ahead of 1 rider. My plan didn't work out but it felt good to take the chance.
The points race went much better. I tried to stay in good position and take points that weren't too hard to get. On the first set of
points I was pretty near the front and could have won but took second to save a little energy. I found that when I win the first set of points I'm gassed for the rest of the race. I was in the top 4 for a few more of the sprints and ended up 4th . Top 3 got medals since it was the state championships but I was happy with how I did.
I was happy it wasn't raining so we could race! If all goes well I still have 3 race days left.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sprinklers and Track do not mix
I had 5 teammates and my madison partner out for track practice today. We had to deal with the sprinklers though which were watering the lower parts of the track. This was bad because you can't ride on the track if it is wet. It is banked enough that you don't have enough friction to keep your tires on the surface.
The sprinklers were on when we got there so I took apart the garbage cans and blocked off the sprinkler heads. They were watering the north half of the lawn (and track). So we warmed up above the blue line (high) and then did 2x 3 high speed sprints off of corner 4 to the line.
Then the sprinklers switched and started watering the other half of the track so I had to move the garbage cans but they had already gotten the lower half of the other side wet. While I was out moving the garbage cans the heads came on for the infield and started watering my bag. One of the riders from the other team moved my bag and hung up my clothes to dry. (thanks!)
We then did one laps efforts with a partner where the second person practices timing the final sprint and coming around the first rider. The track finally dried out so we could use the sprinters lane.
Last Friday was another fast night. I realize that as our women's group gets larger I can't race from the back anymore so I am working on better positioning so I don't miss the moves. I think I figured out a few things during the race. It helps to watch the other riders and see what is working. I have the strength I just need to ride smarter!
It was really fun to watch the last race. Amara partnered with her brother for the men's cat 1/2 Madison and they won! It was so much more fun to watch than when the two strongest guys pair up and just crush the rest. This was a real race. They did great too. There was another mixed pair and then one pair of women racing as well. Mark and I were wishing we had singed up for it too.
The sprinklers were on when we got there so I took apart the garbage cans and blocked off the sprinkler heads. They were watering the north half of the lawn (and track). So we warmed up above the blue line (high) and then did 2x 3 high speed sprints off of corner 4 to the line.
Then the sprinklers switched and started watering the other half of the track so I had to move the garbage cans but they had already gotten the lower half of the other side wet. While I was out moving the garbage cans the heads came on for the infield and started watering my bag. One of the riders from the other team moved my bag and hung up my clothes to dry. (thanks!)
We then did one laps efforts with a partner where the second person practices timing the final sprint and coming around the first rider. The track finally dried out so we could use the sprinters lane.
Last Friday was another fast night. I realize that as our women's group gets larger I can't race from the back anymore so I am working on better positioning so I don't miss the moves. I think I figured out a few things during the race. It helps to watch the other riders and see what is working. I have the strength I just need to ride smarter!
It was really fun to watch the last race. Amara partnered with her brother for the men's cat 1/2 Madison and they won! It was so much more fun to watch than when the two strongest guys pair up and just crush the rest. This was a real race. They did great too. There was another mixed pair and then one pair of women racing as well. Mark and I were wishing we had singed up for it too.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Madisons
Last Monday I raced Madison night at the track. Just 4 teams and the other three were guys. My partner and I got last in every race but had lots of fun. I think each team had at least one cat 2 men's rider so the pace was blistering. Racing on Mondays is really fun though because there are three heats of juniors to watch. I like seeing the kids get stronger. I've seen several juniors get fast and pass me on their way up.
Wednesday I went out and did not race but watched the masters, women 4's and the men's 4's race. It was great to see that the women had a big field out there.
Friday night I went out to the track again and raced the national qualifier. Each race had a certain number of riders that would
qualify for Nationals. This meant our field was stacked with talent and everyone was ready to ride hard. We did a 20 lap scratch. You can usually bet the first half of that race will be easy. Not so, this time. The women were attacking every lap. It was very hard. I got dropped half way and this is the first track race this year I have been dropped at. Later I found that I was in a 83
inch gear. This is like trying to do a crit in the small ring. Not a good idea. I felt better when I figured this out yesterday!
I also raced the madison again on Friday but this time I wore the Wines of Washington jersey because the last two times my partner has worn the Blue Rooster jersey. The Madison is so much fun because you get to rest every other lap (when your
partner is "in") so you can ride much harder. The speeds are at least 5mph faster. It is really fun to be going that fast.
Yesterday I rested and then today I did 15 second intervals on the trainer. I was able to hit 570 watts on each one. The is 70 watts higher than a few weeks ago.
Wednesday I went out and did not race but watched the masters, women 4's and the men's 4's race. It was great to see that the women had a big field out there.
Friday night I went out to the track again and raced the national qualifier. Each race had a certain number of riders that would
qualify for Nationals. This meant our field was stacked with talent and everyone was ready to ride hard. We did a 20 lap scratch. You can usually bet the first half of that race will be easy. Not so, this time. The women were attacking every lap. It was very hard. I got dropped half way and this is the first track race this year I have been dropped at. Later I found that I was in a 83
inch gear. This is like trying to do a crit in the small ring. Not a good idea. I felt better when I figured this out yesterday!
I also raced the madison again on Friday but this time I wore the Wines of Washington jersey because the last two times my partner has worn the Blue Rooster jersey. The Madison is so much fun because you get to rest every other lap (when your
partner is "in") so you can ride much harder. The speeds are at least 5mph faster. It is really fun to be going that fast.
Yesterday I rested and then today I did 15 second intervals on the trainer. I was able to hit 570 watts on each one. The is 70 watts higher than a few weeks ago.
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