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Double trouble

I did something new today. I raced two cross races in one morning. Getting back to my cost-per-minute calculations, I figured out a way to get more value per dollar at the Livermore race series. It costs $20 for the first race, but only $5 more to add a second race. So I raced the Men's C race first thing in the morning, got a quick break, then did my regular Women's C race. Sixty minutes of racing for $25! Ka-ching!

It also made sense because I feel like I haven't been getting good warm-ups before my races. Cyclocross requires nearly 100% effort right from the gun so getting warmed up is important. So I went into the men's race thinking I'd keep the intensity below 85% and just hope I didn't get lapped or finish last. I accomplished both goals. I finished second to last. And I beat at least a couple of the kids in the concurrent juniors' race.

In the women's race, I was a little disappointed to learn that there were only four of us racing. Sure, this meant we were all guaranteed a podium spot since medals go five deep, but come on. Competition is good for everyone. Within half a lap the two really fast women were racing neck and neck a couple hundred yards ahead of me and number four was far enough behind me not to be a threat. So it became basically another practice race. I tried to go as hard as I could but there's no motivation like an actual competitor breathing down your neck or leading you within reasonable striking distance. All the more reason to be glad I did both races. (Incidentally, I could not help but notice that third place out of four is also second to last, putting me in that position in both races.)

My legs and lungs handled the double racing just fine. But that race course already has a lot of barriers -- four sets, one of which has six planks to hurdle instead of the usual three -- and since I did nine laps of the course that means I went over 36 sets of barriers, or approximately 135 running leaps in stiff cycling shoes carrying an awkward 22-pound weight with my right arm. My lower back, ankles, and arm are saying "WTF?!?" right now. I'd like to think I'm pretty tough from all the running I do, but nothing compares to the stress of the moving dismount/bike lift/jump-run-jump-run-jump/bike down/remount/PEDALPEDALPEDAL.

There's lots of room for improvement. Which is why I'm heading to Golden Gate Park tomorrow to practice on the course for next week's race!

November 22, 2008 6:30 PM