My morning at the venue was a bit chaotic. After a few days of asking around and trying to find someone to feed me, it was not looking good. I hadn't heard back from Mitchell on my bargain: I will feed you if you feed me. And being that he was nowhere to be found at the venue that a.m., the panic set in. I had started my warm up when I was kindly reminded I had to go pick up my timing chip (Thank you Wendy). After that, having exhausted all my north american resources, of which I have very few at this level, I was about to cry. It was going to be hot and water was not optional. On suggestion of Dave, I went to ask Michael Broderick and introduce myself, since he was maybe going to be feeding Mary, but he was in the process of recruiting help in the Mavic tent. I smiled, told them I was desperate, and asked kindly if they would mind feeding one more. Luckily they said yes. I could have kissed them both!!! And I don't even run Mavic anymore. They even carried my Reynolds wheels to the pit for me. THANK YOU MAVIC GUYS! They were awesome. But there went the idea of warming up. I weighed my options and figured having a feed was way more important that warming up. Not ideal, but what do you do????
I got in the waiting blocs for my second to last call up. Literally I was 88 and 89 was last. I was in the very back row and the UCI officials were being very strict that we stay behind our white line. At least on the right side they were. Then the left side just crept forward and I was really in the back. All things considered, I had an o.k. start and avoided the pile up to my left and just tried to work my way up. I thought I had done a good job, but it seems that I pretty much was right about 68th the whole race. I would pass a few and get passed. It was a battle. You so much as slow a bit to take a drink from your bottle and 2-3 girls go by. It is just crazy. But I made it through, finished (one goal down) and didn't crash. The 40Km race took about 2 hours for me. I was about 18:22 off the pace. Seems so slow, but oh well, I am just getting started with my season. It has been an amazing experience and I still have to remind myself, I am here, racing world cups in my second year of racing. That, in itself, is crazy. On my way home tomorrow! I am ready to see my Timmy!!!
The mens start! A crazy, dusty fury off the gun!
Where I spent my two hours post race. NOT FUN! I was a good teammate and fed Mitchell. It was hot, I was out of water and pretty wiped out!
My travel buddy for Spain! Wendy has been a great mentor!
This is SO PRO!
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