Short track #1: June 05

Fark, that was a slap in the face. Did the single speed race then the 45+ race. I felt good for about two minutes which meant my start was great. Then I lost positions the remainder of the race. You know how you're supposed to pop it out of the corners? Get up on the pedals and stomp, stomp, stomp? That didn't really happen. I was flat.

Then there was the second race where I never felt good. The results have me DFL but I swear there was a dude behind me that doesn't show up in list. I kind of hung with the small pack for the first two laps but then it was survival mode. I would say it was demoralizing but I had no expectations for that second race other than to push a little more racing into the day. 20-25 minute races are kind of short. Doubling up I get a cross sized race day.

On the plus side, I finished in the top half of the field in the single speed race. I missed my target of being the top placed 40+ rider though, coming in second in that made up to make me feel better about being slow category. Since I haven't done any intervals this year and haven't really done any bursty efforts in the past couple weeks, I have nowhere to go but up.

It felt good to get out and race and I was happy to finish in front of a couple of guys I know. I enjoy the atmosphere and since there is a significant overlap between cross and short track participation, socially it felt like the first cross race of the season. The rain held out until the final two laps of the day. All in all, it was a great kickoff for the racing year.