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!)