Kisscross #5

Well, I've got my first cyclocross race done and in the books. I got to the venue about 1.5 hours before the start of the B Race. After signing in (for the low, low price of $15), I got changed and started to get warmed up. I did about 30 minutes on a dirt road, throwing in some short hard efforts. The course opened up after the C Race, so we all had a chance to got out and do a slow lap on the course. I ran into Joe Slonecki from the Founders Team (he was there for the A Race), and it was nice to have someone to chat with. It definately helped take my mind off the fact that I was minutes away from entering the great unknown. 60 people lined up for the start of the B Race (there are no classes or age groups). I was expecting to suffer from the gun, but I soon learned that I didn't know what real suffering was. The pace is absolutely insane. Keep in mind that you're riding a road bike with skinny knobby tires on singletrack, with sandy corners, barriers that forced you to dismount and haul your bike over, and hills to run up (or walk as the race wore on). The course was just over 2 miles long, and the B Race was 6 laps. Somewhere near the end of the 3rd lap I was able to start embracing the pain. Part of becoming a better bike racer is simply increasing your capacity to endure all different kinds of pain and suffering. Once I started to look at the race that way, it actually started to feel like fun (in my own twisted way). The last three laps were just as hard as the first three, but I was able to keep up the consistent redline pace. I finished the 6 laps in 55 minutes for 43rd overall: 12.3 miles/Avg. sp. 12.7 mph/Avg. H.R. 177. Next race is in 2 weeks, and I'm already planning on putting up some barriers in the yard to practice my skillz. Joe S. finished up 9th overall in the A Race. I'm looking forwward to seeing him in the Pro/Elite class at the Iceman next weekend. WNR in Cross Village at 6:00. Bring your lights. Thanks for reading.