Women's Elite 'Cross Vegas - Cris Rothfuss 9-26-07
Cross Vegas
Las Vegas
September 26, 2007
Elite Women
40 starters
NEBC – Cris Rothfuss (22nd)
Shortly prior to our start, I looked around and took in the full measure of what I had gotten myself into by coming all the way out here to Vegas to race. It was dark out for our 7:30 PM start, but lights covered the course. A gorgeous full moon had just risen over the Vegas strip, itself twinkling brightly 6 miles due east of the venue. An impressive crowd had gathered and was being charged up by Richard Fries. An Elvis impersonator and Miss Nevada were present, each in full regalia. This was exactly the scene I had imagined when I signed up for this race. And then I heard Richard talking about how ours was likely the strongest field that would assemble in North America this year (due to the presence of the international riders who will not be at U.S. Nats). Now, Richard is prone to exaggeration, but as I looked around, I thought that with the exception of a few riders (notably, ME), he might be on the mark this time. This was the fact that I had overlooked when I signed up for this race, but which had been dawning on me and giving me an upset stomach for about a week. I got myself to the line with reminders that I know how to ride a cross bike reasonably fast and that if I just did my best, the results wouldn’t matter. Repeat. Repeat. :)
Staging. Showtime. I was the 11th person called up, to the 2nd row. This was solely by virtue of the fact that many huge names in attendance (mainly the mtb’rs) simply don’t race cross as frequently to gather UCI points. I had no delusions that I deserved a 2nd row start, but was happy to have it just the same. At this point, I was done being concerned about the quality of the competition, as I had a new thing to dread. The course! It was barely technical, but was super difficult due mainly to the fact that most of it was on shag carpet deep turf. After my first few minutes of warmup, I thought I had a flat tire, so great was the resistance. The course was mainly lots and lots of riding on flats, false flats and uphills on this turf. I can recall only four very brief downhills where we could stop pedaling for a second. Otherwise, it was a constant, leg sapping grind. There was only one dismount – up a thick grass steep pitch, 180 at the top, straight back down (ah, stop pedaling for 2 seconds), dismount through a 180 at the bottom, run back up over 5 half-size barriers), remount at the apex of another 180 (on the side of the slope, so tricky), shoot right back downhill again.
On the line and not feeling fully warmed up, I knew that this was going to be seriously hard. I promised myself that I would hang on through the parade loop even if it meant riding beyond my abilities, and then take things from there. The gun. Pandemonium at a full tilt, bodies banging sprint. Doing okay. Half way through the parade loop, I feel myself going underwater with the effort, but have enough sense to realize that if I ease up at all now (which my body is screaming for me to do), I’d quickly be at the back of the race. Just go. I have to tell myself this 3 times during the opening 3-4 minutes. Somehow, I manage to just go. Halfway through the first lap, there is not a drop of moisture in my mouth and I’m panicking about that fact. I’m a hurting pup, but have managed to get in a large group that seems well-positioned. There is lots of jostling and banging (some unavoidable, some seemingly intentional) through each corner, as 5-10 riders try to hit the apex of each turn simultaneously.
Midway through, our group whittled down some and I finally started to get my legs under me. Nonetheless, I spent too much time on the back of the group yoyo’ing. Anna Milkowski attacked the group and got off a good gap. I thought it looked like a smart strategy, as we had settled our pace somewhat. I used it as inspiration to start riding more to the front of our group and for a few foolish seconds wondered if I should also try to go. One lap later, we reeled Anna back. This was not a course to dangle between groups on. On the second to last lap, our group was down to about 5 and getting faster. I had a few minutes of dangling off the back. Last lap. Dang it, my group got even faster. I dangled further. With 1/4 lap to go, I recognized that I was feeling content with what felt like a mid-pack, non-lapped finish (where my goals had been don’t get lapped or finish last). I looked at the 4 not far ahead and thought “those girls are still racing and you need to be, too.” So, I dug down to bridge. I caught one of them in the final 25 meters, and came just shy of the others. I crossed the line with legs fully tapped, but the good knowledge that I had raced to the end.
Friends were standing by with a burrito and a can of Miller High Life, which they imagined I might enjoy as a post-race meal. They were right. Nutrition be damned. I just survived Cross Vegas. :)