Cyclocross Season #2: Races #2 and 3...Biketoberfest and Ed Sander's Memorial Races 2015

Before I tell you about my races, I must tell you where I am emotional which will help you to understand my racing state of mind...

Friday, I had a meeting with my mentor and friend, and the moment that I sat down, I went into the ugly cry. You know the kind of cry where you can’t control your breathing. Yep, that kind of cry. He allowed me to cry and talk out all of my emotions and then we got down to business. (I was not sad; I just needed a safe place to cry.)

On Saturday, before my race, I finally got the chance to do a little research on this writer whom one of my dear friends wanted me to check out, Bryan Stevenson. Well, I read all about him and even had time to listen to his TEDTalk. My people, I sat in Wholefoods and uncontrollably cried; this TEDTalk touched me to the core, and I cried and cried just about all the way to my race.

I got to my race, Biketoberfest, and pre-rode the course which was one of the most hilly CX courses that I have ever been on. After one lap of just pre-riding, I was pooped, but I was still going to give this race a try. Why not right? (I was feeling happy and energized.)

There were eight ladies in my category, and we took off when the start bell sounded. I felt great, I was taking the turns, riding with ease the few down hills, and even mastering the climbs. However, I got to one steep climb and jumped off my bike to run it. Let me tell you, running those hills was even more tiring than riding them. But, I really didn’t have a choice since I definitely couldn’t ride them.

After the second lap, I wanted to cry.. I mean my heart was racing uncontrollably and my legs were absolutely, completely done, but I was determined to finish this race. The third and final lap was brutal.... running and riding those hills just wasn’t for the faint at heart.

When I crossed the finish line, I felt like my lungs were on fire and my poor legs. I checked the race results and sure enough I finished, but I was last....

Let me tell you about the self-doubt that I was having.... I texted a friend to tell him that I felt defeated and maybe should stop racing. He asked if I tried my best, and I did. He went on to say “So, why would you stop racing?"(Happy for friends who don’t feed into my emotional craziness.)

Anyway, I went home after the race, got in the bed feeling a little down, but I decided to try racing again the next day.

I had no idea until I got outside that it was raining this morning. Now, many people who race cyclocross have no trouble with rain and many prefer to ride in rain, but not me so much.

On the way to the race, I had another crying spell, not sure what sparked it, but I allowed myself to cry...

I got to the race site early, Ed Sander's Memorial Race, and pre-rode the course in the rain. And, it was muddy with a few steep down hills that would have been rideable if they were not muddy, but in the mud, I would definitely have to run those steep down hills, and you know what, I just didn’t feel like it. I totally skipped those parts on the pre-ride. The rest of the course was fine but scary in a few places. However, after riding that course, I decided that I would not race but would take my butt home, and I did just that, all the while doubting if CX is for me.

However, I got home and the sun came out, and it was nice and warm, and there was no way that I could pass up the opportunity to practice CX skills on a beautiful fall day, and I did just that.

Beautiful fall day in Virginia!

I was riding up hills, down hills, dismounting and remounting over and over again... My happiness level went to the sky!

One of my co-workers has been doing very well in CX this season, and while I was outside, I decided to give him a call to talk about CX. He assured me that steep down hills in the mud and running those hills give him the blues as well, and he reassured me that I needed to keep riding them, and I will get better. I hung up with him and rode my bike with passion.

Now let’s talk about those crying spells.. Nope, I am not sad at all; I just needed to cry! I’ve learned to allow myself to feel whatever I am feeling and to never, ever trust my emotions; they are fickled!!!

Needless to say, I will continue to CX race, I am ready for tomorrow, looking forward to my safe haven, Tuskegee’s homecoming, and I am hoping that my crying spells are over...

What a weekend... Enjoy your week, My People!

Cyclocross Race #7: MABRA Cyclocross Championship

After reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, I have been thinking a lot about listening to my heart and following it!

In 1996, I wanted to leave Michigan to move to the DC area. However, I did not find a job in the area, so I had to go with my job, and it just happened to be in Detroit. However, my heart kept saying that I was suppose to move to the DC area, because everything that I needed was there.

After two years of being in Detroit, I followed my heart, and literally begged Fairfax County Public Schools to offer me an early contract, and they did.

I packed up my things and moved to the DC area, and my heart became content. Everything that I thought I needed and things that I did not know I needed were here.

I know sooooo many people, and many of the people who I know will move mountains for me, and I will do the same for them. I love my job. I love having access to free, great museums. I love all of the natural parks and cycling trails... the list goes on and on!

However, one thing that I didn't not know that I needed was cycling.

Cycling in the DC area is huge. You have no idea how happy cycling makes me and how it has expanded my life. Since moving here,  I have continuously listened to my heart, and one of the many rewards of listening to my heart is cycling.

My heart told me to buy a CX bike, and race! I followed my heart, and I am completely in love. For every race, I am excited, my heart is happy, I feed my soul, and leave the races spiritually lifted.

Today's race felt the same...

I got to the race, pre-rode the course, and started the race. I felt good, I rode smooth, I was happy, I loved hearing my name called during the race, and the camaraderie after the race was good for my soul.

I did not finish last nor first, but I wanted to work on dismounting and remounting, and I definitely improved in those areas.

My people, I am soooo happy that I continuously follow My Heart!

Cycloross #6: South Germantown Race with the ladies of Sticky Fingers

Cyclocross race #6 was held in a really great park in Germantown, Maryland.

The ladies of the female cycling team Sticky Fingers were helping to promote this race, and I knew that this would be an extremely fun race, because the ladies of Sticky Fingers are fun!

The ladies of Sticky Fingers

I must take a moment to talk about the ladies of Sticky Fingers! They have been completely awesome on my cycling, racing journey. They are always encouraging and are one of the main reasons why I started CX racing; they assured me that I would have fun, and they sure were right. I absolutely love these ladies who are part of my village.

My race started at 1pm, but I got to the race early to assist the Sticky Fingers lady in any way that I could. They were good on volunteers, so I pre-rode the course several times and socialized a lot. It became quite clear that yea, CX is about racing, but it is also about the wonderful people who make up the CX world.

Now, that I have raced six whole races and have gone to quite a few CX practices, I know quite a few people in the CX world.

I talked with Josh and his mom after Josh's race where he placed 1st. I see Josh, his mom, and grandmother at every race, and not only do they cheer for Josh, but they also cheer for me. I feel like I have known them for years, and I am delighted to see them at the races.

I met this couple last week, because we were both using our navigational systems to get to the race site, and we both ended up lost. Now, cyclist are some of the nicest people in the whole wide world, and of course we rolled our windows down and tried to figure out where was the race site. Eventually, we ended up at the right place. They are both CX racers, and the wife placed second or third in her racing category on yesterday. Now, they are my new CX buddies

New racing friends!

Ashlea and her husband are both CX racers, and they have a four month old baby. I love seeing Ashley and her husband at the races changing diapers, feeding the baby, soothing the baby etc. At their respective race times, they race. Ashlea races in my category, and we always finish near each other. I have finished before her a few times, and she has finished before me a few times. Now, we have friendly competition where we are desperately trying to beat each other. I just love racing with Ashlea.

Ashley and the baby!

There is another lady that I see at all of the races, and yesterday she gave me some racing pointers. After talking for awhile, I found out that she is 56 years old, yes 56 years old, and has been racing for over 15 years. You talking about someone getting excited. I was thrilled to know that she is racing at 56 years old, because I am planning to do the exact same thing at her age.

56 year old racer who is awesome!

Now, can you see one more reason why I am in love with CX?

However, yesterday's race was not one of my better races. When I pre-rode the course, I thought "This course is not bad at all." I actually thought that it would be quite easy. However, most of the course was uphill, and I became extremely tired, but I kept on pushing. Also, I have not been practicing dismounting and remounting, and I absolutely sucked. I was very conscious of how I looked on the course; I was hoping that I did not look like I was not trying hard enough, I was wondering what the spectators were thinking about me, and I was also thinking that I was not going to do anymore racing, because I suck... My mind was working overtime. After my race, I was like a needy kid running up to everyone asking "How did I do, and how did I look?"

When I got in the car, I thought about how ridiculous it was to look to others for validation about my racing. I need to continue to train, and be patient. Rome was not built overnight, and I will not be #1 overnight. My people, I have a lot of work to do, and it mostly starts with renewing my mind.... I am IN the race, I am having a lot of fun, and I am meeting people whom I really like!

This morning, I went out to a CX track, and I rode it hard. I practiced dismounting, remounting, and cornering. Tomorrow, I will do the same thing. "A Dream Come Through Much Activity."

Happy after CX practice today!

I'm telling myself to "Please be patient with me, God is not through with me yet."

Happy Sunday!

Until the next race......

Cyclocross Race #5: Rockburn Cross

My category of CX racers raced Sunday at 10am. I got to the race site early, registered, pre-rode the course, watched a co-worker and team members race, and even took a few pictures in front of the toughest part of the course.

Toughest part of the course: I did not attempt to ride it; I ran it!

After I pre-rode the course, I thought "This is a tough course; I wonder how I am going to do?" However, just before my race, I was talking to a fellow racer who had just finished his race, and he said that "This course is very ride-able except that section in the back," and his statement gave me peace. (We must be very careful with our words... I wonder what would have happened if my fellow racer had stated that this is a tough course that was not ride-able.)

The whistle was blown, and we, female racers, took off. I was feeling really good, and I talked to myself throughout the race. I was telling myself things like "I feel good, I can do another lap, ride your own race, pain is temporary etc."

One of my teammates, Sean, was at the race, and Sean followed me over just about the entire course. He was calling my name, giving me pointers, riding along some parts of the course with me, and saying things like "I know you are in pain, but keep riding." Sean is the best. I can not even began to share how much Sean's yelling, screaming, and offering encouragement helped me. Some parts of the course felt lonely, and I wanted to give up, but when I would see and hear Sean, I knew that I could keep going. (People need other people!)

There was this one lady who was right behind me, and I was determined to not let her pass me, and that friendly competition coupled with Sean telling me to not let her pass me, helped me to use every bit of energy that I had left to sprint to the finish line.

My people, it is finally sinking in that I should ride my own race and not worry about the other racers as much. I need to ride as hard as I possibly can until the race is over. I was so sure that the cyclist who was behind me and I were the last two cyclist; however, there were several ladies who were behind us, and I am sooooo happy that I did not give up. I actually finished twenty-one out of twenty-eight.

For those of you who are new to racing, if you look at the column that is labeled laps, that tells you how many laps a person completed. And, if you look below my name, you will see that there are several women who completed two laps and there was even one lady who completed one lap. That means that they were pulled from the race because of their lap time. My people, for the first race ever, I was able to finish EVERY LAST ONE OF THE LAPS, and there was someone behind me.

Change can be so gradual sometimes, and if we are not carefully paying attention, we will miss the changes and forget to celebrate!

So, after this race, I am celebrating the fact that I was able to finish all three laps....Small Victories Count!

The next race is Saturday, and I am charged and energized and ready.....

Happy Monday, and Celebrate Your Small Victories!

Cyclocross Race #3 and #4: DCCX

Day 1 of DCCX was completely fun...

The Friday before the race, the course was open for people to ride, and there were free cyclocross clinics. Of course, I attended the clinic and pre-rode the course. I had a lot of fun, and this made me completely excited about DCCX.

Coworkers and friends also pre-rode the course on Friday!

Saturday, I got to the race early and rode the course, and I was super excited that quite a few of my friends and fellow cyclocross racers were there, and I was going to race with my teammate Patty:

The ladies of veloworks!

Shanna: bad A@# cross racer!

Fellow racers: Emily and her husband!

Motivators

Fellow racers and teammates: Sean and Tom

Tina and Brian: Teammates who came out to support!

Greg after his race!

A new fan!

My people, I got to the starting line, and I was not to nervous. The whistle was blown, and we took off. This course was extremely fun but difficulty and after the first lap, I was worn out. However, I kept on pedaling. After the second lap, I was pulled from the race, because the winner was on my tail.. I had completed two laps and the winner was completing her third lap. I was happy and sad at the same time. I wanted to complete three laps, but I did not have much gas left in my tank.(YIKES!)

The race environment turned into a festive environment with food trucks and BEER. Yep, there was lots of beer. I stayed at the races until around 6, because I wanted to support my coworker and friend, Rob, in his first race ever of any kind, and he was completely awesome:

Rob in his first race!

After Rob's race, I went home to rest and to get ready to do DCCX all over again....

Today, the course ran the other way, and I really needed to pre-ride the course. However, I was fearful to pre-ride the race, because I did not want to tire my legs out. (Bad mistake!)

I am happy that I read this word from Joel Osteen before the race:

"The race is not for the swift nor for the strong but for those who endure to the end." You don't have to finish first; you're not competing with anyone else. Just finish your course. Keep your fire burning.

The whistle was blown, and I made quite a few mistakes early on, because I did not pre-ride the course. My body was completely exhausted after the second lap, and I actually pulled off of the course, laid on my back for a few minutes, and continued the last lap. (I needed to catch my breathe!) AND, there was no way that I was going to get a DNF (Did not finish) next to my name.

Anyway, my teammate, Lydia, raced with me today, and quite a few fellow racers and supporters were at the races. Soooooo, everything is all right with the world.

Lydia and me!

My people!

Happy Sunday, My People!

I can't wait until the next race....

Seneca Creek Cyclocross: My very first cyclocross race!

Today, I competed in my very first cyclocross race, and I'm In love Again!

Cyclocross racing is difficult to explain, but it is basically riding a bike around sharp turns, up hills, dismounting to jump over obstacles, running or riding through sand etc. (It is fun!)

In a previous post I wrote that according to Nikki Giovanni, falling in love over and over again makes us love life intensely:

She stated that it makes a person's skin better and people notice how well a person looks who is in love. She also stated that being in love has nothing to do with someone loving us back; it's about being in love.....

I AM IN LOVE WITH LIFE INTENSELY!

I am fortunate to live in a city where people love cyclocross, and this affords me the opportunity to go to cyclocross practice about three days a week. I have basically built me a small village, and so many people are raising me. The encouragement and help that I get on a regular basis is unbelievable.

The thought of my first race terrified me, but I was strongly encouraged by "My Village" to just do it, and Today, I did just that.

It was raining when I woke up, but I still got up, got dressed, had breakfast, went to have one of my tires checked, and I drove to the race...

I got there, registered, and pre-rode the extra muddy course. The mud was so thick and difficult to move through, but I was there and had to do it.

Finally, it was 1 o'clock, and we started our race. My people, I was turning corners, riding through mud, slipping and sliding, dismounting and remounting etc.

In one muddy section my legs were on fire, and a fellow racer said to me "your bike can handle it; just do it." My people, with that encouragement, I rode through that mud like a champ.

Before the race, during the race, after the race, my happiness level was to the sky...

My People... I AM IN LOVE!

I have another race tomorrow, and I promise to take more pictures... Stay Tuned!