Early Bird Criterium #3 2009

I was totally tired before this race. I had practically done a road race the day before, climbing OLH and Tunitas Creek with some pretty fast folks and my lungs were still recovering. Even though this criterium wasn't a *real* race, our team talked about a race plan and learned a lot during the race. I attacked the peloton twice during the race. The first time was in the first or second lap and I didn't realize that they had caught up with me until I looked back and saw that I was pulling the whole group. oops. Made a mental note to learn how to find out if someone is on my wheel. The second time was slightly more successful and I was out front for about 1/4 of a lap, making the other ladies work hard to latch back on.

My goals for this race were to become more comfortable in the pack, follow wheels moving up, and keep my wheel through the corners (so I wouldn't have to sprint as much out of a corner). I think I met those goals. Because of that, I found myself in the front group of riders for the last 2 laps. That put me in a position to be in the running for the final sprint. I think I was 4th wheel coming into the long finish straight-away. I passed two gals, but the winner came around all of us on the right-hand side, and I finished 3rd! I was surprised because I wasn't planning to try for the sprint when I started the race. Cycling does that to me. I love putting on some speed and passing people.

Criterium Racing

Hi! It's been a long time... Well, I've started bike racing, and I have my first two races under my belt. Well, they aren't real races, because no results were taken, but they are great practice for the real thing. Before each race, we have a training session to learn how to ride in a pack, take corners, what not to do, etc.

Criteriums are a strange race. First of all, the racers go around in loops -- usually downtown or in a business park -- for a specific amount of time. But, that time is only an estimate, because the race official will count down the last 5 laps for the field, after figuring out how much time it will take the particular race to go 5 laps. The first cyclist across the line at the end of the 5-lap-countdown wins. Primes (pronounced preems) are sprints for the finish line in the middle of the race. The official will let the field know when a prime is coming up and the first cyclists through the start/finish line on the following lap win the prime. The race keeps going after.

I'm having a blast. In the first crit, there were only about 16 of us averaging 17mph, with a breakaway at the end. I was in the breakaway and 4th. The field wasn't too great at taking the corners, so they were an easy way to move up. The second probably had about 35 women with one prime. I was either 1st or second in the prime and in the top 10 for the finish. Corners were tighter that time around and we averaged 20mph. My front wheel was loose, so one of the mentors helped me out and we got back in the race when the ladies came around again. (Only in a practice race can I do that.) We have two more practice races and then one real one. I'm so excited!


Morning Weight: 143
Miles Today: 3.5
Other Exercise: Biking to/from work, 35 miles

Ok. Thought of a couple things

<155: Better bike pedals. My current SPDs are too localized on my forefoot and that may be contributing to my plantar faciitis.
<135: speedometer/odometer for my bike.

After a few weeks of talk, I finally rode Calaveras Rd. and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The worst part was riding from Milpitas to North Fremont with all the traffic signals and cars, and a slight headwind. I think I may make it a weekend tradition. It took me 3 hours and 2 minutes with signals. I'll admit that I'm completely wiped tonight though. *yawn*

Week Plan:
Mon - AM run/walk 3 miles
    LU bike 20 mins, weights, abs
Tue - AM run/walk 3 miles
    LU 1 hour stationary bike
Wed - AM/PM Bike to Work
    LU 10 min elliptical, weights, abs
Thu - AM run/walk 3 miles
    LU 1 hour stationary bike
Fri - CAMP! run 20 mins.
Sat - CAMP! Bike 1 hour
Sun - CAMP! 50 mile bike ride.
Mon - CAMP! 20 min run.

Morning Weight: 156
Miles Today: 40 on the bike, Calaveras Rd.
Other Exercise: walked around the neighborhood (1 mile)