Last posting Oct 2008?!

Jeez, its been awhile. It seems as though my life outside of cycling took over, the weather in IL has been terrible, and my training has been hampered by a persistent (and traveling!) ankle injury. So in a nutshell:

Training continued through the winter. 1/2 of it with my club and the other 1/2 at home on my trainer. The dvr and i got to be very good friends. while i enjoyed the decrease in travel, i really missed suffering through workouts with people other than Michael Westen, Shawn and Gus, the HIMYM crew, (yes all tv characters) and my dog Cooper. I started working with a trainer at my gym and she's been great. I continued with 'cross with the ChiCrossCup series but my fall at the USGP reinjured my shoulder and i had to take things easy. Then my hip started acting up after i badly twisted my ankle snowboarding the Colorado. IT band stretching helped. My club had a training camp in Indiana which was awesome (except for the Wall. Stupid hill.) Hip is acting funny again and now my knee has joined it. Injury injury injury. sigh. After 7 months, i'm thinking its time to get it checked. After Downers, that is.

Racing has been going on, even with all of the outside life stuff happening. Weddings, visiting family from Europe, crappy weather, and an extremely busy day job has forced me to start using a calendar to keep track of all the things i needed to do. I'm not sure when i turned into an adult. Throughout the season though, my racing has been getting better. its still a SLOW progression (which is annoying to this less than patient person) but i do see the silver lining and the fact that my fear is finally subsiding is GREAT. I've even been in a few "incidents" (crashes, rain, bumps) and managed to stay upright or jump back in? AND i've been called aggressive recently? Good stuff. Some highlights include Champaign, Elk Grove, Kenosha (Superweek), and the Soldier Field Series. Lots of races where i've improved, so once again, its something. Hopefully i can move from improved to awesome...like by the weekend.

In other news, which isn't new news since she's already back, but Jessi Prinner won the Juniors TT Nat'l Champs and went to Russia for the Junior Worlds as a member of the US Team. So incredible and so deserving.

A couple more races to go with the Road Season (the summer has gone so fast...) and then 'Cross starts up. With the mild summer we've had, there's been many days that i've had this urge to pull out my 'cross bike. I'm really excited for this upcoming season, with the Chicago Series and the USGP (now a 4 race series!). Ok, i think thats about as short of a write up i can make for...10 months...wow...

Black and blue, bruised and battered, but oh what fun...!

I completed in my first Gran Prix, down in Louisville Ky. A UCI event, so I was unable to ride in the elite cat, but luckily there was a 3/4 race on both days. I had planned on visiting my sister but throw in a race weekend, i couldn't pass it up!

I started looking at this course months ago and i thought it was going to be awesome. it was really long which means you don't have to do a lot of laps (yes!!!). The video on the website showed highlights from last year and the biggest obstacle (no pun instead) was a LARGE staircase called "The Green Monster." I left for Ky late and had to suffer through a 2 hr traffic jam to Indiana (should've taken about 30 mins). After arriving at the hotel in pitch black darkness at midnight (and stupidly watching tv for a couple hours, as usual), i awoke to yup, pitch black darkness. The sun doesn't ride (ahem rise...) until after 7am in those parts and since i didn't get to pick up my race info the day before, i was up and bike ready at 615am. I packed up the car, grabbed my bagels, juice, cereal and coffee. I programmed thet GPS to get to Champions Park and prepared for the drive to the course. Right turn out of the parking lot, left turn at the intersection...and park the car? Lol, yeah...the course was right across the street from the hotel. Oops :-) So...park, unpack, eat, pin number, pre-ride the course, listen to race day music, find sister, play with dog, warm up and its RACE TIME!

Saturday Womens 3/4 30 mins
About 25 riders lineup at the start line. We were given numbers according to our rankings in the local series and if no ranking, then by registration time. Since I didn't have a rank, I started 16 riders down. Not too bad and it did make me glad i had pre-registered. The ground was pretty dry and the sun was just peaking through when the gun went off. The large pack of juniors waiting impatiently behind us would start about a mintue back and we'd all mingle at somepoint through the course. This was the largest pack i'd cyclocrossed with (and considering that i've entered into a 58 rider race later this year, i was excited to get the practice!) but for some reason, i wasn't nervous. I clipped in slow, though, but i was able to make some place going into the first turn. The course was very technical with lefts and rights coming up quickly. I wouldn't be able to do the course justice with a description, but check out the course map. Throughout the course, I was trading spots with 2 other riders and i also saw everyone else riding through the 3 sandpits and i thought "well...if everyone else is doing it..." and i tried it myself. And i did it! Yes, its nots a figment of my imagination, you CAN ride a bike THROUGH SAND! The last time i tried, i just toppled over. This time, i built up some speed, kept my cadence as high as possible and i pedaled through! yes! Round and round, over a set of barriers, up steep small hills and back down, runups with stairs and behold...the Green Monster. At least the steps were covered in "Drink Guinness, its good for you" logos (as my sister said "After running those stairs, you need a Guinness"). The Monster changed to a short flat section down a steep enbankment. The enbankment reminded me of when i was kid and my sis and i would ride down this hill on a little ten speed schwinns...no pedals, no helmets, a bump in the middle that would send you flying...ah good times, and that was my favorite part of the race! Others would clip in and slow at the top of the Green Monster and i just jump on and WHHEEEEEEE (no i didn't say that, i didn't have enough air), eh just clip in later. On the second lap, I entered the last sand pit too slow and tried to jump off the bike but I was still clipped in (oops!) and just fell over. Bike hit my knee and i bent the rear derailluer but i was able to recover and finish ahead of the 2 other riders i had been trading spots with throughout the race. Lots of fun, a good placing in my opinion and i knew i worked hard!

Later, my sis and i explored Louisville (I went to the Colonels' headquaters!) and its a cool city! We checked out the shops on Bardstown Rd, got stuck in massive highway traffic (semi overturned and 3 accidents all within a 3 mile stretch!), went to the mall, i took a nap, checked the bike, and then headed back out for dinner (spicy pasta...yum!)

Sunday Womens 3/4 30mins
Ah, wiser this time around. I did not pack up the car and since i "pre-rode" the course yesterday, i slept in until 7am. Grabbed the mandatory carbs and rode over to have the SRAM guys check out the derailluer (they're so great). The bike handled itself very well during my warmup and i once again lined up. Today, i had a bad position, somehow i was now in the last row (rather than the 2nd) and behind a squrrielly rider. I don't know why, but once the gun when off, she started swerving all over the place (ok, maybe it was like a 5 inch radius, but completely unnecessary) but instead of getting around her, i entered the grass behind. Going into the first turn, the rider next to me hit the pole and tape and i narrowly missed a crash. Phew...keep going, next turn, a rider behind me bumps my wheel but i stay upright. What the hell?!? Its ok...i slowed a little but pushed forward. The course was a little different this time around and the first barriers seemed to come up quicker. Under the bridge back out towards the sandpits. I'm once again trading spots with another rider but that just makes it exciting. I noticed that she slowed some in the sandpit and i thought to myself i could pass her there. Sandpit #2, she takes the line "most traveled" (ie flat and easier) and i pulled left into the deeper part to pass and BAM! my tired sinks and just stops, i endo and flip on to the sand. Another rider hits my tire (not me tho) and she gets up quick. My water bottle is a foot away and other riders are now coming through...i hear "watch out!!! on your right" and various other phrases and i grab my bike, try to stay still and all i can do is wait so they can go around me rather than trying to run and cause another crash. I ran through the next sandpit but ugh, my momentum is all gone. I don't hurt, the bike seems to be responding well and i just try to push it. I took the Green Monster slow but i can now see two other riders. I keep pushing it through the turns and barriers and by the time i hit the pavement to start the last lap, the first of the two is right in front of me. I take a large drink of my water and the first time ever, i threw it to the side. Granted its not a ton of weight, but it can't hurt to get rid of a full bottle when i know i'm not going to use it. Thru the corners, i hear her teammates telling her to get away "don't let her push you like that" and i get around at the first barrier. 2 juniors crash just to my left but once again, i avoided it. thru the trees, to the run up, on the short pavement, up the steep hill to the first sand pit...i rode through it (this time in the easy line) to make sure i'm not afraid of it but the rest i ran through. She caught up to me after somewhere after the 3rd sandpit and the Green Monster so in those last few hundred yards, i threw on all the gears i had left and sprinted as much as i could. i hit the pavement and looked back, she wasn't there. i crossed the finished line ahead, once again, of the riders i kept changing places with but much further down from Saturday. Thats alright, the bike was ok (thanks SRAM, although i don't think they believed i really endo-ed until they saw sand in my shifters...) i finished strong and i had SO much FUN! I'm sore today and i think i may have bruised a rib or 2 (yikes!) but wow, i can't wait to do this again!

The Green Monster One of the sandpits
Approaching the barriers Saturday's Pro Winner

For real this time...

IOOk, so i did my last USCF road season of the year. Really. One of my friends (and ex-teammate) is now on the women's Team Priority Health. Plans to race together kept getting canceled (as well as this one too) but finally i headed up to Michigan for the Priority Health weekend. This comes after not riding for 2 weeks, being a bum for about a month and eating cupcakes and delicious italian food. I figured with winter training coming soon and a trip to Portland, i was going to relax a bit and finally eat what i want. Oh and yes, i thought i could race the 2/3/4 fields...

Needless to say a course of cobblestones, potholes and lots of turns (Grand Rapids) wasn't easy. I stuck with the field for about 15 of the 35 mins (guessimating b/c the officials forgot to turn the clock on). After getting dropped, i rode past an official and asked "how much time left?!" and he looked me confused. Next lap, i look at him and raise my hand and he says "keep going!" (ok, no kidding). Next lap, i look at him, he looks at me. Hmm. Finally, i hear Eddy say "well, we don't know how much time is left b/c the clock isn't on..." and next time i look at the clock, it says "6" laps to go. Decent race, wasn't sore after so i decided i'd race Ann Arbor. After spending the afternoon visiting the MSU campus (and stuck in football traffic after ironically commenting how i miss the traffic-less Michigan), i spent the evening with Em and her friends in AA. I must say, its a great town.

The morning started with rain that didn't stop until about 10mins before the start. A little less corners but a lot more hills and downhills. And wet. And rain puddles. And carpet on the RR tracks b/c, if you couldn't tell, the course was slippery. I debated racing b/c my confidence is nowhere needed for this sort of thing, but i still paid my fee and suited up. From the start, TPH took off (found out later this was the strategy) instead of taking it slow as i had assumed it would (similar to Downers two years ago). Tactically it worked well b/c the field broke in the first lap. TPH took a couple of primes as well as several money spots (4th, 5th, 7th, and 12th, i believe). Em did awesome! Me...well, approaching turn 2 on the downhill was enough to break me. Each turn was slower and slower and wish as i may, i couldn't change that. I still finished and while i think my apparent last placing is wrong (i mean, if you lap someone, don't you think you should be placed ahead? i don't know, thats just me) but in the grand scheme of things, whats the difference in a couple of spots from the end, especially this season? Not much, but so ended my USCF road season.

The weekend was tons of fun (even met an Ann Arbor ABDer, the mystery Michigan guy i kept seeing on results page), after hanging out with Em & co, i headed to Jackson for lunch with Mel. And we realized nothing has changed and try as we might, we have not grown up at all. Like i misprounced purple and that throw us into a laugh fit. Oh and mel couldn't find the cheese at bigbys. Good times!

Now, its on to cyclocross, my FUN season. i've been looking into getting my own cross bike, and i specially want this one. i've been spoiled (borrowed bike) by the Bianchi Team Concept...sigh...

The last big road race of 08...?

So downers as come and gone. When it was merely approaching, I was already telling people how excited i am for 'cross to start and then of course bootcamp. Now that its passed, what am i doing? Searching online for another road race. With the way the season has been going, i just don't feel like i'm done for 2008, but while there are several races in the area and of course ABD's Fall Fling, it was the last big USCF road race for me...

Glenoce Womens 3/4
I was very impressed with this venue. Winners jerseys were offered to all the cats and the prize list/primes were good for all of them, regardless of the level of ability. Even the "behind the scenes" people were great, from the hospitality tent and neutral support and even Half-Acre for free beer to riders (over 21 of course!). I was also very happy that the Amen Corner was not included in my race (it was added in for the Womens 1/2/3 and the Mens Pro race...i did that corner last year as a 4, very technical). So basically, a 4 corner course, more of a rectangle shaped which allowed for speed increases and potential attacks on the back stretch and start/finish line stretch. Most of the race wasn't a surprise, prime lap sprints, some shaky riders in the corners, but my surprise? I didn't get dropped. I lead out the first lap and planned on staying as close to my kiwi friend as possible. The idea was to stay on her wheel and if i could, second was almost a guarentee. She even lead me out to win a prime. With about 3 laps to go, MP told me to get to the front and she'd block the pack. My first real attempt at a breakaway didn't work for more than a few seconds b/c rather than go all out like i should've, i was trying to play it cool and hoping JK would jump with me. But MP did a great job slowing the field and it worked from corner 2 til corner 4 when my shaky confidence made me slow in the corners and allowed the others to catch. On the 2 lap to go, JK tells me "i want you on my wheel the rest of the race" and i told her i would do my best. Thru corner 3 and 4, i was there. Bell lap, I'm still there on corner 1...but i get pinched in corner 2 and JK pulls ahead to the front and i'm sitting about 8 back. I try moving around, and i try to move up the right but we are just beginning to approach turn 4. i pull back into the line (corner 4, while not the Amen Corner, was still sharp and had a curb that looked like it was coming after you rather than you towards it) and BAM the leader hits the curb, taking out about 3 other riders. JK managed to get around and sprinted for 2nd oh so slightly behind 1st place (yes, thats how good she is!)...I got around a couple of riders and was able to take 5th place (and $60 and a prime!).
Side note: I did race Grayslake, but a rather disappointing race for me getting dropped very early on and basically just rode. i was lapped by the field and tried to help MP take the final money spot by pulling. i still have to find out if this is allowed, MP says no and didn't take the pull but i thought i could help her and worked hard my last couple of laps. Well, harder in the last laps since i had to ride 99% of the course alone.

Downers Grove Womens 3/4
I actually thought i had a shot at this race. One of my all time favorite courses and one of my first as a new racer. i did terribly my first time and on my way to a top 10 my second time (until i crashed out at the start of the bell lap) and i wanted redemption. i saw the start list and only about 12 riders signed up! i need more would come but it definitely kept my confidence up. 27 riders started this 8 turn technical course with an uphill finish, a false flat, small steep uphill into a fast downhill and doesn't really stop only decreases all the way thru turn 8 (i really love this course). i made sure i was at the front at the start and my goal was to lead out the first lap and i did! at the whistle i jumped and took turns 1 and 2 first. i braked too much on turn 2 and had to calm myself a bit, but still pulled until turn 3...knowing that the headwind was on the downhill, i took the steep turn 3 slow trying to get back in the pack. I'm still having some difficulty with that and only managed to get in the back. I hung on for a bit, moving around and taking the turns faster than previous races (yes, i've been practicing...although most of that practice went out the window as the race went on, but its a start). But when the prime lap was announced, i wasn't comfortable with the cornering speed and was dropped. The rest of the race was all catch up, switching positions with a few girls through 4 laps or so. With 2 laps to go, i caught up with TF who was (i believe) the last rider behind the pack. I was hoping we could catch the pack, but with 2 to go, it was doubtful. She and i worked together the last two laps and coming into the last couple of turns, she said something to me i couldn't hear. Thru turn 7 and 8, i was planning my sprint and took 8 slight wider than TF and sprinted around her. I took 14th, my best placing in Downers to date. Later, TF tells me she wanted to lead me out. Definitely appreciated, wish i had heard though :-)
Side note: the Womens Pro1/2/3 race? I knew i wasn't ready of a race of that caliber (yet) but when i saw some of my cat3 friends signed up, i started thinking maybe i should do it...until rider #80 rode by. A field containing Tina Pic, Brooke Miller, Devon Haskell and Kristin Meshberg along with 76 other riders. I sat this one out and enjoyed the race. see, you can get large women fields in high quality races.

Downers is generally the end note for my season. Like i said, there are a couple of more races i can do and i'm really excited for 'cross, those are my FUN races. I've defnitely come a long way since my first race in 2006, set backs and highlights but more importantly, i'm optimistically looking forward to 2009. the goal of becoming a cat2 in 2009 is still there and while i wanted to start the season as a 2 (and i've come terms with the fact that won't happen), with a solid winter season, cornering practice (maybe if i practice on the ice that is sure to come, cornering on dry pavement will be a breeze?!), and pack work, the goal is now cat2 by Downers 2009 (save #81 for me!).

Tally: (to be updated) --> 36 (7 + 1 million)
Crits - 26 (and 5 more to go)
Road - 4 (and 1 more to go)
TTs - 5 (and 1 more to go)
Track - 0 (b/c of my crash, i will most likely wait til next year to go back)
CX - 1 (and like a million to go!)

A summary and a helicopter...

I never did post my blog for superweek. I have it sitting in my drafts section right now, but as i re-read it, it says the same thing i've been saying throughout most of this whole site, so you know what? thats enough. i've griped and i've vented (thanks to all those who listened and tried to give me advice), if you're really following, you know my issues. So for my superweek summary? It was hard, it was tough, i was involved in a crash and i have a lovely V bruise on my leg (for victory? fingers crossed!). I didn't do much but i guess it was a great workout...BUT my teammate Jessi Prinner WON the series (as well as taking two stages!) and is off at Nationals now.

Some words of advice included doing more group rides with a little less aggression than a superweek race and some other advice included doing the Bartlett rides. The BRs is how i prepared for Superweek last year, but with my shoulder injury falling almost exactly 4 weeks before, I had no choice but to sit around and wait. But i did go back to the BR this past week and it was exhausting, in the good way! Some missing faces from earlier in the summer returned and it was just a lot of fun. It was really nice to actually ride well and like JB said, it made me remember why i love to ride.

Next up, the PPCB ride. It was faster than i expected it to be...generally we're told to keep the pace 20-22, but i know it was faster than that (haven't checked the powertap yet though, but when i saw 21 into the wind, i'm guessing the average was higher!). I pulled more than i wanted to b/c i was tired from BR, but 2 things happened this ride:

1) We turned right at one point and all of sudden, there's a helicopter in the road. it said ARMY on the back and was refilling on something to spray the field...conspiracy? Mulder? Scully?


2) In the last few miles, I pull ahead into an open spot. One rider says
Rider: What racing cat are you?
Me: Me? (ha! this is why i don't chat much on rides...)
Rider: Yes you
Me: I'm a 3 ...
Rider: I was going to say "you're too good not to race"
Me: wow! thanks!
Rider: are you close to moving up?
Me: ha! no, not even close, its been a rough season.
(and then some convo on racing and SLOWING as we approached the next intersection. Not sure who that was, but really, thanks for the compliament! it seems like its been ages since i rode well and even longer since i've heard a compliament for it.)

A rant of my own (Tour of Elk Grove)...

I’m kind of a race constant. I’ve had a pretty disappointing season, but you’ve got to be in it to win it right? It takes a lot to keep me from a race, like a separated shoulder and a warning from my doc “don’t race.” But a flu? Soreness? Road rash? Jeez, even my (newish) stupid fear of crashing won’t keep me away. Such was the case today; the long awaited Tour of Elk Grove. I had been looking forward to this race before my disappointing season because I did fairly well last year. Plus I felt as though it was a tough and technical course that also allows a less experienced rider to ride with the pack. See, that technical aspect of the race generally slows the pace down in order to take the 180 turns safely. It’s different in the higher cats, but for a new rider starting out, it does a lot for their confidence to do well in a race like this. So my flu wasn’t enough to keep me away…

Nor would the amateur mistake I made today. My back brake was on for about half that race before I realized that was why my watts were so high and my speed sluggish. I worked with another rider for most of the race and took off for the final straight away at a surprising 30mph. So I was definitely disappointed in the fact that my races are not going along with my actual ability, but that was my fault and it will be double-checked from now on. But what will keep from away from Elk Grove next year?

The race officials notified us at the start/finish line that our races would be combined. Originally the flyer made the women’s race a Women’s Open but later it was changed to join separate races for the Pro1/2 field and the 3/4, and I was very happy about this. I later heard that prize money was decreased in order to increase the prize money for the men’s races. Ok, that didn’t really bother me, I know that cycling is male dominated and prize money is always higher for those races (and I’m not going to start preaching about that). But at the end of the now Women’s Open, the Mayor calls us all into a tent to speak with us. He tells us that they are still going to honor the prize money promised in the flyer, but that he is very disappointed in the turn out. He could of canceled the race, he says, but not to. He tells us he was promised a better turn out but it was obvious we had not fulfilled our promise. He says that, as of this moment, there will not be a women’s race next year unless we can convince him why he should continue holding a women’s race. I know how I heard this and I know how the other ladies sitting at my table heard his little rant, and I heard “its your fault more riders didn’t show up and for that we aren’t going to let you race next year.” This really upset me and I forgot my stupid mistake. I asked some other riders what they thought he was telling us and then once the Mayor had a moment free, I spoke to him.

I told him I didn’t appreciate what he was insinuating, that the riders who actually showed up for the race was to blame for the poor turn out. I wasn’t hostile and I didn’t make a scene. But this is what he says to me:

“No, its not that I’m actually placing the fault on you or the other riders. I am blaming those riders that did not show up and you are here so I just have to take it out on you.”

What?! So I tell him that no, he doesn’t have to take it out on us. I have come to this race every year since it started. I showed up, my teammate showed up. I said that had the race been a Women’s Open, I would not have because this is not the way to get riders out on a technical course (think about it, there are three Mens Cat 5 heats. I’m not saying there are enough women racers out there to have separate heats for the cats, but two races for the women? I don’t think that’s asking too much). He says:

“Well you should have brought more women out to the race…”

I say “But I’m not the race promoter” And his response? He shrugged his shoulders, lifted up his arms, and turned around and walked away. Apparently it wasn’t even worth a response.

What was said, in my opinion, was very disrespectful. I know he was frustrated with the turn out, but to blame the racers who come to the race (a lot of us still feeling that post-race high) for small fields? This isn’t Texas or California. In our area, the women’s fields are always small. I believe there are a lot of women out there who would like to race and for whatever reason do not. I’ve always spoken highly of the Elk Grove course, even met with the “You actually like that course?!” because so many dislike the narrowness of the lanes, the technical turns, and the possibility of crashes. But for the reasons mentioned above, I do like this course. It is because of its difficulty that I think more people should try. And I’ve always finished my description of the course with that sentiment.

Another rider gave the Mayor some really good advice, offer more perks and you’ll get more racers. Like rider housing because at this time of the year, a lot of budgets are running out or empty. Small prize purses and a small budget will keep racers away. Or how about a race weekend like the men get? Riders are more likely to travel to a race if they will get more than one race out of the weekend. Since the first Tour of Elk Grove, other cats have gotten a full weekend of racing. Can’t this be done for the women? There are lots of ways to get more racers out, but blaming the ones who came is not one of them.

Basically, it’s a catch 22, you say more time (and money) should be devoted to the cats with more interest, but then complain when interest diminishes because of the lack of time (and money). You can’t have it both ways. The Mayor said that we have to convince him why there should still be a Women’s race next year. This means the decision has already been made not to have one with a slim chance it might be on the schedule. How about you convince me why I should come back again, because as of right now, I’ve made the decision not to come back to the Tour of Elk Grove.

An excuse to be lazy...

Fox River Grove: Womens 1/2/3 30 mins
The last race I did in June, the crazy high ski hill climb to fast downhills through a subdivision to the start/finish line and back up the hill. A small field of 5 riders started, including my teammate JP who is crazy enough to say "I loved it!" when asked about the hill. From the start, JP was in the front and attempted to create a new race (ie, she almost went the wrong way), I did this course last year and yelled out "where are you going?!" and turned up the hill. It was exciting and awesome, i was leading up the hill...for like 2 seconds when JP went speeding past me. The plan was to get her ahead and i would block the large peleton behind. For the first lap, it was the four of us. 2nd lap, HS got away and we lost NW, so that left me and CS. As the laps kept coming, we were neck and neck...and then my foot came out of the pedal halfway up the climb (maybe it wasn't a good idea to change the cleats on the way to the race). I hear her teammates "DROP HER DROP HER!!!" just adding salt to the wound. She makes it up the hill b4 I hit the mini-flat. Down the hill, I catch her wheel. She expertly pulls of and makes me pull. Crap. When we hit the 2nd to last lap, i'm tired, but 2 to go! We go up together and it happens again, foot is out. I get it back in quicker, but this effort of starting from a stop on such a hill gets me. I see CS and i'm trying to catch, i get close on the last lap, but no cigar. I take 4th.

I thought to myself...fox river grove was a tough race, but it was short. the hill didn't hurt as much as last year and i have a free monday. i would like to start racing the track again, but i hadn't been back since last year and i decided it was the perfect chance to get there for some Monday Night Training. It was a sunny warm day, why not? I prepare the track bike, check the tires, lube the chain...ponder a 50 or a 48. I go with the 48, afterall its been awhile, i don't want to tire my legs out b/c tuesday is bartlett. plus we have breaks between sets, i can always swap out to the 50 if i start to spin. it was nice to be back with the track crowd and i took a few warmup laps on my own. after a pre-training day safety talk, we all head into the 30lap warmup. once we're organized and the paceline starts, so does the accordianing. accelerate, slow, accelerate, slow. it was getting annoying and i look ahead to see who is the trouble maker. i think to myself "i really don't want to be in this position" but can't really do much b/c of the paceline but i continue to watch for openings. a gap opens up again, and there's a quick acceleration and all of a sudden BAM i slam into the wheel in front of me and i'm down. i scrunched up, trying to protect myself b/c there were riders behind me. a few swerved around but a few also hit me (and i've got the tire tracks to prove it). once it was clear, people ran over to see if i was alright. i sat on my knees and tried to catch my breath. My shoulder hurt and so did my knee. I stood up and asked "where's my bike!" and i spotted it yards away from where i was. i started toward it, but the first aid guy told me to sit down and he got it. a couple of ice packs and bandages later, i'm filling out an incident report. i think its ok, just trackrash, swelling and bruises. figured i'd be sore tomorrow.

The following day was bartlett. i thgt it'd be a good chance to see how much i hurt and worse case, i'd just hang on that back. JP's mom helped bandage my knee and i left looking like i was wearing fishnets. turns out though that i couldn't climb and i couldn't accelerate. my chain skipped on me once and jerked me forward and boy did that hurt. i know i got a good workout in, climbing those hills in the saddle. i got dropped really early, but managed to catch up when JP's mom asked me to give her the cell phone. that was one of the hardest things i'd ever done. i rode the rest by myself b/c i just couldn't do anything really. called my doctor that night, and a couple of x-rays and MRIs later, i found out i had dislocated my shoulder as well as having a 1st degree AC joint separation. I've got some lovely colors on my knee, but the swelling went down really quick. With the injuries, i'm off the bike for 3 weeks. I had to skip the proctor cycling classic, unfortunately, but had a lot of fun just hanging out. physical therapy is to start soon and :::fingers crossed::: i should be healed and ready for superweek!