Track Masters Nationals, Day 1

Written Monday night: Nats begin tomorrow. I'm going to get schooled. But it will be a good experience and so far, everyone has been very nice and helpful. There are some wicked fast people here--world champions and just fast, fast folks. I went to watch the women's 4 crit this morning before driving down, then got to the track and did a short warm up. The track was super busy, so I changed and worked registration for a couple of hours, then once things had slowed down some, went back and finished my workout. Change into street clothes, sit around and talk, then it was time for dinner--grilled burgers and the fixins' and beer and wine, then put the bike in the truck and over to Casa Harrington, where I am now. A glass of wine with Mr. Harrington and now it's time for bed. Tomorrow is the 500 meter time trial. Goal is to ride a personal best. 8 or 10 gals in my age group. The biggest age group of all the women. Should be a fun day.

Today's report:

Showing up yesterday at the track to register and get in a short workout was a little intimidating. Lots of very fast people wearing State Champion jerseys or with world champion stripes on their sleeves. The track crowd is very nice and very, very helpful and friendly and working registration for a few hours helped take away some of the nerves. As did drinking a beer with Mike and Mark and listening to their tips for the match sprint.

Today was the 500 meters. Race against the clock. 11 women in the 45-49 age group.
Riding Mateo's disk wheel, 47x15 gearing.
Goal was to ride a personal best.

I got to the track this morning and those intimidation thoughts came right back. Talking later to Holly, I wasn't the only one. At least we had a fun tent with Donna, Gio and Holly and right next to the Webcor tent with the Webcor folks. I got on the track and did a warm up and a couple of good efforts and felt pretty good. It was then time to get the bike check (official UCI measurement) and then watch the kilo and see how the timing mechanism worked (30 second light, 15 second light, 10 second beep, then countdown beeps from 5-4-3-2-1 and long beep--GO). Roll around once the 500s started, get some Gu and water, cheer on Leo, Libby and Donna, then it was time to get on the bike and over to the holding area (and have the bike looked at again).

I was in the second heat and started on the front side with Metromint Mike as my holder. Ready from the official, yes. 5-4-3-2-1 GO. The start was kind of a blur. Everyone said it looked good, but I don't think I was looking down the track enough. Gio had false started in his race, so that was in the back of my mind too. Up out of the saddle and drive the pedals forward, stay up until out of turn two, then sit down and pedal faster. Got around one lap and only a half lap left, pick it up! I tried and my legs were screaming. Push past the finish line, then ease up. I tried to hear what the announcer said for my time, 47-something. OK, but what was the something???? The first thought in my head was, "I need to work on leg speed this winter." Second thought was that I didn't biff the start, fall over, or do something stupid. Yea! The first ride was in the books.

Result: 11th of 11, but a 47.051 which was a full 0.2 second faster than two weeks ago and over 2 seconds faster than I've ever gone. GOAL MET!! Very happy about the ride, but a better start might have seen me going 46.9! Since May I've taken 2.37 seconds off my 500 time, so I can't complain. But next year I plan to take even more off.