Sometimes you just gotta go slow before you can go fast. 2018 has started off a bit, sluggish. Half by design, half by the never ending winter arctic blast midwestern bs weather patterns. Can you tell I’m over it?
Last season was one of my best. I hired a coach and had a renewed energy for training with some lofty goals on the horizon. I raced at a higher level than I ever have, with and against some incredible women. I got to take some amazing vacations with and without my bike. The only thing missing from 2017 was my husband! I had a few wonderful people substitute for my Sherpa, and without their help, I would not have achieved even half of the races on my calendar.
But this season, I got bit by the endurance bug. And I plan to split the year in two. Endurance :: Speed
Go slow to go far // Endurance focused first half. Yay I got my husband back! Well, almost. His insanity work schedule is slightly less insane for his middle year here at RTC. We {crazily} both registered for the Dirty Kanza 200 mile gravel race on June 2nd. In the build up for this race, we’ve done two local events as base building miles: Rough Road 100k and Barry Roubaix psycho killer 100 mile. {race reports below} He also registered for Ironman Wisconsin, so his season will shift to everything swim / bike / run after DK.
#critlyfe // Where’s the speed gonna come from?! After DK200, I’ll take a big break and begin again, training those fast twitch muscles that I’ve so far been suppressing this year. I know my legs will be full of lead and working to build speed will be tough. But I’ve committed to racing with the Chicago Women’s Elite again this year and I can’t let my teammates down!
Rough Road // Not too much to report other than it was 19 degrees {10 degrees real-feel at the start}. Crosswinds and echelons were the name of the game. Rode 30c allroad tires with an accidental ~25psi. The queen of tire pressure forgot to check hers before the race. 🙄 Luckily no flats and somehow I ended up on the top step for the women’s open division. A great event with fantastic support. Props to the volunteers who stood out in that cold! { 62 miles / 3:50 }
Did I mention we won a Cyclops smart trainer in the raffle? Someone’s excited!
Barry Roubaix – Psycho Killer 100 mile // For the 10th anniversary of the race, they added a 100 mile route open to 250 riders. We registered back in December, knowing it would be a good training day if we got into the Kanza lottery. It was that, and so much more. Almost seven hours of Rachel’s Random Race Thoughts summarized below:
7am is too early for a race start, as I quickly shove a banana, coffee, and a partially toasted bagel down the hatch and ride out to the start line with the Velosmith crew. Also, it’s #coldAF outside right now. Hey, no line at the ‘Johns, and a less stressful corralling procedure; nice benefit of the smaller field and this #earlyAF start time. Still not awake. Countdown, gun, clip in.
Am I okay? Remember to smile, today is about the journey. {oh yeah eat, be smart, don’t start out too hard. But catch that wheel. Get in the draft!} This feels less crazy than last year. Breathe. Relax. This is a long race. Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est! Omg. Do not get that song stuck in your head. Don’t even think about it. Do you even know the lyrics?! No no no. Run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh oh! No no!
Oh, hi Three Sisters {3 punchy climbs at mile 3.} I remember you. And I’m thankful I have 4 more teeth on my cassette. I love you, bike. Thank you for supporting me. Literally. Good job. Also, tires, I know you’re new, but let’s be good and allow me to be brave today. Seal yourselves with that delicious tubeless goop.
Okay this is new terrain. Okay this is a tiny never used hunting road. Oh, sand? Are we at Montrose beach? Wait, sand up a hill?! Everyone is walking?! What?! Ride this. Pedal, pedal, pedal, oh crap. ::walking:: hmm, this must suck for kyle; he’s wearing road shoes! Trudge on, woman. Hop back on. Try again. Yes! Pedal, pedal, pedal, nice work! ::positive self talk:: fist pump! {seriously I did this at the top of a steep technical climb where I rode past all these walking boys} Omg Kyle is swearing. I hear him before I see him. “Kyyyuuulle, what are you doing?!” “I’m walking!” I ride by him and pat myself on the back.
Omg another sand sector. Omg another sand sector. Seriously, sand again? Did all of the “washed away” CA beaches actually get dump trucked into Michigan?! You can do this. Weight back, pedal fast, commit. Smile!
Following garmin directions {there are no course markers for the 100}. Turn left in 1 mile. Turn right in .7 miles. Turn left in .2 miles. Omg. I’m sick of this already. I think there are 80 turns on this course. Get used to it. You hate long straights. I know but my head is sick of thinking. Get over it. Get that wheel. Omg it’s been 2 hours, your normalized power is WAY too high. Keep eating. Eat. Drink. More now. Oh, hi Kyle + Nan! Turning into Sagar Road with these two and headed to the first aid station where Kyle pleaded with me to stop. I was good on food and fluids, so I grabbed a banana handup and was off. “See you soon I’m sure!” {never saw him again}
Pedal. Smile. Eat. Drink. Oh yes, killer hill – I remember this. Yes, they are blasting Jock Jams! Maybe you can get a new song stuck in your head! Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est! Nope.
Oh, hi Lauren! 2nd aid station, no stopping. Oh, 2 banana handups, yes please. Yum. Oh, bye Lauren!
More solo riding? Stop doing this. But keep pedaling. Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est! Stop that. Now.
I need to pee. Turn right in .5 miles. I need to pee. Turn left in .4 miles. I need to pee. Houses, nope. Downhill, nope. Okay seriously just stop. This is impeding your pedaling.
Sweet relief.
Pedal. Oh hi friends. Draft. Turn. Pedal. Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est! I’m over it. New song. Oh I would do anything for love, I’d run right into hell and back, buh bum. Wait, seriously? Why is your song relief always Meatloaf?! Gah!!!!
Pee again? It’s only been an hour since u last stopped. Omg.
Aid station. Sweet Jesus. Stopping this time. Water. Banana. Oh, you’ve got chocolate coated donuts? Yes!
It’s the final countdown. Beetobetoo. Beetobetotoo.
Pedal. Draft. Focus. Shift. Turn. SMILE.
Pavement. Sweet relief. Finish line goosebumps. I made it under my goal time!
Race by the numbers // 100 miles – 6000′ elevation – endless sand – 2252 rear derailleur shifts / 114 front – 38psi {ish; again I didn’t really check before the race} – WTB Riddlers 700×37 tubeless – 509tss {highest ever} – 1,100 calories consumed – 3,100 calories burned – 6:55 race time – 4th female – One tired chica. #beerme #feedme
Happy to have a weekend away with my love. Doing what we love. {Singing partial lyrics on repeat? Pedaling bikes for long distances?} We’ve got five weeks till DK. Yikes.
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