Cross Nationals - B Women - Dec 17 - Cathy Rowell
Sunday, December 17
Providence, RI
62 Starters!
NEBC Women: Libby White (16), Cathy Rowell (33), Teri Carilli (43), Julie Lockhart (56), Lori Whynot
What an experience! This was my first season of ‘cross racing, and thus, my first visit to Nationals. I was inspired to see the number of racers in all of the fields this weekend, but to line up for a race with 61 other women, representing 19 states, was truly amazing.
Standing on the line, the woman next to me declared, “this is getting cold” and I chuckled in response. It turned out that she was from Smyrna, GA, and was used to 70 degree temps! I told her the 40 was warm for us at this time of year, and she grimaced ;-).
When the whistle blew, all 62 of us were eager to get the race underway. Unfortunately, a crash on the start line took down a number of riders, including Julie and Teri (who had no where to go, but into Julie). I managed to get around the bikes and bodies, and tried to sprint up the pavement with everyone else.
It is important to note that there was some rain and/or frost on Saturday evening, making some of the opening sections of the course SLICK as SNOT. Really – that is the best way to describe not only the first two corners, but also the off-camber “slip and slide”.
I got lucky enough to be on the outside line in the first corner, which allowed me to get around the second crash of the race. I could see that Lori was involved, but didn’t find out until later that Erin Duggan had gone down, taking Lori and some others with her. From here, I negotiated the “slip and slide” – an off-camber section of the course that had women who chose to ride high, sliding to the bottom along, and through the course tape. Somehow, I made it through all of the chaos intact, with both wheels firmly on the ground!
On either the second or third lap, as I was going over the barriers, I heard Mike yell that I was in 33rd place. ACK! I couldn’t believe that I was working this hard, and was that far back… Neither could the woman who was beside me – she let out a groan ;-).
I felt really good yesterday though (better, in fact, than I had on Friday) and kept on pushing. I managed to catch Heidi Wakeman (who was riding dressed as Wonder Woman), and passed her. I haven’t been able to beat Heidi all season, so I worked really hard to try and stay ahead of her. The good thing was that spectators would call out “Go Wonder Woman” along the course, so I could usually gauge just how close to me she was ;-). On the third lap, Heidi and a rider from California got by me on the second greasy corner. Mike had offered to change out my tires before the race for some better mud tires, and I opted not to – bad choice. Two times around this corner, I slide all across it trying to get ANY traction and/or forward direction, and both times, the tires completely clogged with mud making navigation of the “slip and slide” treacherous (especially when forced into a high line!).
After Heidi got by me, I felt a little deflated, and sat up for a couple of seconds before chastising myself. I KNEW that if I could stay with Heidi until the pavement on the top of the course, that I could catch her. I hunkered back down, keeping her within about 5 bike lengths, and managed to pass both she and the CA rider on the pavement as I predicted. I put a little bit of distance between us here, and increased that at every opportunity – this was the final lap of the race!
Every now and then, I could get a look back to see where she was, and put the hammer down just enough to stay ahead. On the final sprint, I didn’t even look behind me, just geared it up, and went.
As I crossed the line (ahead of Heidi and CA-girl), my HR was at 180, which I thought was high. HA! Apparently I worked for where I was – average HR for 45 mins was 179 with a high of 189! YIKES!
I am really happy with my finish yesterday, and with the season that I had. Although yesterday I was celebrating the end of a VERY L-O-N-G season, today I am more sad that it is over. I will miss all of my riding/racing buds over the winter months…
Kudos to ALL of the NEBC racers this weekend: Libby White, Teri Carilli, Julie Lockhart, Lori Whynot, Janet Ramos, Jen Shultis, Cris Rothfuss, Mike Rowell, Bill Doonan, Jim Burke, Wayne Cunningham, Eric Wemhoff, Gary Douville, Scott Brooks, Dave Chui, Keith Reynolds, Oscar Jiminez, Matt White, Roy van Cleef, Jason Gulbinas, and John Laupheimer.
And a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who were out cheering on your teammates. It was amazing to me to hear so many of you all along the entire course, both Friday and Sunday, and it made a big difference.
Here’s to a great season of ‘cross in 2006. Who’s going to Kansas next year ;-)?
—Cath