Once You Learn to Ride a Bike...You Never Forget

Game on...race #1 of the season CSU Crit

I woke up this morning quite nervous about hitting the race scene again. I lay in bed for about an hour wondering...am I going to be as aggressive, as smooth, and as tactically intelligent as I was during my college race career? I was already prepared for my speed not quite being there, but I knew that was something I could get back. However, it was the mentality of racing that I was not quite sure I had retained. Was it possible I could lose that? Its been nearly two years since I had my "A" game on the bike.

So after some oatmeal, toast, and coffee, washing my bike, and loading up the car, my new roommate, Steve, and I headed to Fort Collins. I was so grateful to have Steve along, as he helped me get my things together for my race. I was also fortunate to have friends from work and a bunch of the DFT Cat4 women out there for a cheering squad. Once registered, I set my bike up in the trainer and warmed up while watching the Collegiate A Men finish their race. After some hard efforts to get the legs going I jumped on the course to get a feel for the sweeping and 90 degree turns that were involved in the race. Then caught up with my two other teammates, Megan and Rachel, who were racing with me today to talk over the game plan. And then it was time...to the start line.

While on the start line I realized I had forgot my gloves. How do you forget your gloves?! With all my nerves this morning I can honestly say I was not thinking fully. Luckily, Jennie, a DFT teammate, offered a pair and I was no longer gloveless. Thanks Jennie! As I stood on the line I looked around realizing there were twenty some girls, including some big names such as Amy Dombroski (Webcor), Lea Davison (Trek/VW), Amanda Miller (LipSmackers) along with a large squad of Vitamin Cottage girls. Holy crap, this first race was not going to be a walk in the park. Right from the start the girls started attacking. Megan, Rachel and I took turns covering attacks, and within ten minutes of the race Megan was off the front with Amanda Miller and Lea Davison. This meant I needed to sit back and let the other teams chase. I played quite an aggressive role sticking second or third wheel hoping to slow up the pack as one girl pulled off and another had to pull through. The tactic seemed to work, as I grabbed each new wheel pulling through. Sitting in such a good spot I was also able to cover just about every attack. Rachel was also in the mix covering the attacks that were coming from further behind me.

Sticking to Amy Dombroski's wheel as she tries to chase back the break.

Then all hell broke loose...or so it felt like. Twenty minutes into the race I experienced something I had never had to deal with before. Strikingly bad cramps in both calves. I kept thinking "My first race back, its going so well, why now?!" I moved myself further back in the pack as I did not know what to expect next. I grabbed my calves trying to rub them, standing up and stretching them in hopes the cramps would go away. The next attack came from Vitamin Cottage who was desperately trying to chase the break down. I could do nothing! My legs were throbbing in such intense pain. I sat up for a minute, stretched again, put my head down and chased back up to the group. I was able to sit in for about five more laps with the cramps coming and going after every attack. With ten minutes to go a strong attack came from Beth (Vitamin Cottage), as I stood up to follow my right calf froze solid. I could not even turn the pedals. I actually screamed in pain, and to make matters worse it happened right at the start/finish in front of a fairly large crowd. I came to a stop, lay on the ground as some nice gentleman helped me get out of my pedals and comfort me til my friends/teammates arrived. It felt like forever before my calf released, with my pain scale easily reaching a ten. Once it did, I hurried over to my trainer and did an easy spin while watching the finish of the race.

Megan sprinting for the finish line.

Megan, Amanda and Lea were still off the front nearly lapping the field as the bell rang for the last lap. With a solid sprint Megan took second. What an awesome way to start the season. Even with my cramp mishap I am still extremely happy with how the race went. My confidence is back and I never lost my aggression, flow, or race smarts. Now its all about putting my head down and putting in some solid training. Redlands Classic is less then a month away. I am so thrilled to be back on the bike again and racing. I had no idea how much I missed it til today, as I kept pushing through the pain wanting to finish strong. Its early season...I will get em' next time!

Thanks to all those who were there to support me, as well as those who support me from afar.

Cheers!

Mo

The Blog Is Back.....

Well it has been over a year since I deleted my blog "Monique & Benson's Great Adventures." A lot has happened in the past year. I started a new job doing research, took a number of months off the bike, fell more in love with Colorado, and became closer with my two boys Benson and Mauser. Now with a new year just starting and being back on the bike, I figure it is time to turn over a new leaf, and therefore, a new blog to intrigue, inspire, and inform my wonderful family and friends.

This year I am turning my focus to road racing. Something I have never given much attention to because it has always been about the mountain bike. I am very excited to be taking on this new challenge. Even though I raced road in college, I never really took it to the next level. And this year I have been given the chance by DFT p/b Treads Elite Women's road team. We are a well rounded Cat 1/2 team with ten strong women working together for the win. The team is also solid with full Cat 3 and Cat 4 women's squads. 2009 is going to bring a great season of aggressive and intense racing. I plan on spending my year working towards fine tuning my sprint again, as well as being a valuable all-around rider.

My racing season begins next weekend with two women's open crits. Saturday will be the "Oval Crit" on the campus of CSU, followed by a crit on Sunday down south in Colorado Springs. It will be so great to finally feel some speed in my legs after so much time off the bike. I started training again when I visited my friends in San Diego over Xmas break, and realized how much I do love the sport of cycling. Since then I have been riding the trainer daily after long days at work, and on the weekends getting out for group rides. The weather has been surprisingly decent for winter in Colorado. Now with the season starting I am hoping to get back into shape quickly. My first big race will be the Redlands Classic at the end of March. I have never done this race, and I am very excited about it. I am also planning on getting out to Bend, OR for the Cascade Classic in July. This season is going to be quite full with the team also looking to win the Colorado BAT (best all-around team), as well as the BAR (best all-around rider).

As for today, I am headed down to Morrison to meet up with a few teammates for a training session in the mountains. The day has started out well, the sun is shining, I am cuddled up on the couch watching "The Office" and drinking a cup of hot chocolate. I am happy with where I am in life, with just a few minor complaints, but nothing I can't fix. My boys are happy, and they should be considering how much fun we have here in Lyons. Summer is just around the corner, meaning less layers and those wonderful tan lines that make me not want to wear a bathing suit. I am so ecstatic about what this year is going to bring for me. And even more excited to share it with my family and friends. I want to finish by saying thanks to all those that have supported my racing through the years, and those that are there for me now during my return to the greatest sport that ever existed. Thank you!

Mauser and Benson

Cheers!

Mo