The Race: Green Mountain Stage Race, Stage 2, Circuit Race
The Course: 2 laps, 64.2 miles, moderate climbing with 1 KOM/QOM point and a sprint point at the end of each lap
The Field: Pro 1/2 woman
The Finish: 2nd
When I left my bed & breakfast this morning, one of my housemates said, “Good luck today! Do well, but don’t beat my friend Fabienne!” He was kidding of course, but in the interest of being a kind person, I decided to respect his wishes and finish second to Fabienne’s first place. Because I’m just that nice.
Nobody is buying this story. Also, I’m thrilled to have come in second.
It was a good course – the climbs weren’t too bad and only the sprint up the QOM climb on each lap made me want to crawl into a hole and die. The lengthy downhill was fast and fun and I think I rode the race well (aside from the constant negative internal dialogue of whining and self-doubt). The first sprint didn’t play out as I had hoped, but the second one at the finish was much better; it was tight navigating the pack but I found the right openings and had the reserves left to move through them.
Tomorrow is the point-to-point road race with the mountaintop finish at Appalachian Gap. I’m a bit anxious about the long, steep finishing climb, but I have my race plan set and have eaten 5,392 calories in preparation. And now it’s time to watch Lifetime movies in bed in the name of recovery.
Way to go Linz. What was the pic you had in mind at the start? remember, you owe me a description. xxxx