So I want to critique myself after my last race in Cloudcroft.  I really want to write down what I was thinking during a race, but I always forget.  I really suggest to anyone that you keep a notebook of any kind of racing you do.  I really regret not doing that the past three years.

The HUGE thing I regret is not practicing for the race. One week of training is not enough.  This winter I was really behind on riding.  I felt lke I lost a whole year of riding and I know in any situation its quicker to lose your abilities faster than you gaining an athletic ability.

It started out great.  I pushed really hard, but the race had a lot of uphill.  I am glad I stayed at the front of the pack, but I really think I should have backed off a little just to make sure my legs didn’t burn out.  Believe it or not (if anyone knew how I rode), I was better on the downhill than the uphill.  I am known for my hill climbs, but I think I was having a hard time because I pushed too hard.

This is what I looked like at the end.  Hot.  Zipper down on my jersey.  Out of breath. Fish face (see Fitness Topics). And not happy.

But hey, I was second in my category at least.