The 2010 version of Sea Otter will probably go down in the record books as the best weather ever! Tim and I made our pilgrimage down to Monterey on Thursday afternoon, since Tim's XC MTB race had been moved to Friday. It was fun times seeing friends, racing bikes and getting sunburned. I was going to work on some sponsorship stuff, but I just can't handle spending too much time at the venue. I failed on that aspect, but I did see a good friend I hadn't seen for a long time on Friday and even rode my bike with him prior to Tim's race.
Tim's XC race went well, with his all time best finish in the cat 1 40-44. He was 8th. He then jumped in a road race on Saturday (as if the 36-mile mtb race wasn't hard enough) and raced with some locals, working for them. After they all expired, Tim was left on his own, riding solo and finishing 9th in a really hard field. Then it was game time for me.
This year I have been quite apprehensive going into my races. But having seen Dr. Kerry the week prior and being certain I was 'protected' from any breathing problems and having learned how to use my inhaler correctly, I was feeling good. Legs felt good. I was ready. Short track is always hard, and this year was no exception. Taken off guard by the '...and the rest of the women's field' after the few call ups, I did not get in a very good position. No panic. I know I have a good start. And it was fine. I got through the messy side hill with a small tap and was in good position. In the first 5 laps, I worked my way up to 12th, then 11th. I felt good. And then on the sixth before the climb, I made an operator error and somehow my chain found its way far into the inside of my chainrings. I thought I could pedal out of it, but I was stalled. Completely. I got off and thought it would be a quick fix. I grabbed the chain and it didn't budge. I yanked, tugged, didn't want to break anything, so I remained calm, girls passing right and left, and finally got it and then hopped back on my bike to chase for 2 more laps, but it was too late. Even though I had moved back up somewhat, I was pulled. Who knows where I ended up. Somewhere around 15-18th?
Sunday was the big show. In our new abbreviated format, it was going to be a short race. We were set to do some road riding on the Laguna Seca track, followed by a loop on the front field, followed by a double track dirt climb, ending with some fun singletrack on the back side. The laps were fast and furious. I had a pretty good start. Was with a good group, then the fade happened. I somehow went backwards. One place at a time, I slipped back to 17th. Not what I was hoping for, but something to build on. The positive of the weekend was that the breathing felt good. I am feeling better knowing I can push a bit harder and not be deprived of oxygen. This is very important. All in all, it was a fun weekend. We had the best hosts! Alex and Karen make racing Sea Otter something to look forward to. And now I have some wicked tan lines! Until next year... so long Sea Otter.
This year I have been quite apprehensive going into my races. But having seen Dr. Kerry the week prior and being certain I was 'protected' from any breathing problems and having learned how to use my inhaler correctly, I was feeling good. Legs felt good. I was ready. Short track is always hard, and this year was no exception. Taken off guard by the '...and the rest of the women's field' after the few call ups, I did not get in a very good position. No panic. I know I have a good start. And it was fine. I got through the messy side hill with a small tap and was in good position. In the first 5 laps, I worked my way up to 12th, then 11th. I felt good. And then on the sixth before the climb, I made an operator error and somehow my chain found its way far into the inside of my chainrings. I thought I could pedal out of it, but I was stalled. Completely. I got off and thought it would be a quick fix. I grabbed the chain and it didn't budge. I yanked, tugged, didn't want to break anything, so I remained calm, girls passing right and left, and finally got it and then hopped back on my bike to chase for 2 more laps, but it was too late. Even though I had moved back up somewhat, I was pulled. Who knows where I ended up. Somewhere around 15-18th?
Sunday was the big show. In our new abbreviated format, it was going to be a short race. We were set to do some road riding on the Laguna Seca track, followed by a loop on the front field, followed by a double track dirt climb, ending with some fun singletrack on the back side. The laps were fast and furious. I had a pretty good start. Was with a good group, then the fade happened. I somehow went backwards. One place at a time, I slipped back to 17th. Not what I was hoping for, but something to build on. The positive of the weekend was that the breathing felt good. I am feeling better knowing I can push a bit harder and not be deprived of oxygen. This is very important. All in all, it was a fun weekend. We had the best hosts! Alex and Karen make racing Sea Otter something to look forward to. And now I have some wicked tan lines! Until next year... so long Sea Otter.
Chris lunching with his awesome helmet head!
Chris Brophy and I studied in Vienna together as juniors in college (91-92) and we are still friends.
Tim finishing his mtb race.
OJ and Tim hamming it up.
Unlike the women's field, the men were over a 100 deep.
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