Master's Nationals

Well I am a little behind on getting my posts up. Sorry, just been busy running around watching all the racing.

I raced on Friday at 2:15pm, it was a lot warmer then earlier in the week with temps around 35 degrees. I did my warm up lap at noon and it was still frozen mud and snow.

But when we lined up on the start line everything had started to melt and there was lots of mud. I got a first row call up, 3rd person called up so I got a great spot in the middle on the first row. There were 48 girls in my 30-34 age group category. We had a very stacked field with several ladies that are top 10 in the elite's field. I knew this was going to be a hard one to win but I was going to give it everything I had.

The gun went off and I got a great start, and made the first corner in about 4-5th position. I shot to the left and passed a couple girls and moved into 2nd, on Kari Studley's wheel. I was so happy and couldn't believe it was me and Kari in 1st and 2nd place. We stayed that way for about a half lap and then Barbara Howe came up and slipped past me to get on Kari's wheel. They got a small gap on me. I had to catch my breath so I settled in for a second. On the 3rd lap I was coming down this fast downhill section and I came out on the pavement and realized I had a rear flat. I was running tubulars so I knew I had to have sliced open the tire to flat. I kept riding and then realized I also had a front flat. Double flats, that sucks!! I was able to ride back to the pits but got passed by about 4 0r 5 girls. I got a fast bike change, thanks Tim and Joe and was back on the course. I passed a couple girls but there was a pretty big gap now to the top 5 girls. I was pretty frustrated, but tried to get back up, but with no luck. I managed to still finish 6th in my age group. One spot away from the podium. Same result as last year.

So I have to say I was pretty bummed out, I really wanted top 5 and set myself up for that all year. But sometimes things just happen out of your control. The positive is that I got a double flat but still finished in 6th! That is awesome and I will focus on that now instead of that I didn't get my goal.
Good news is I am in the next age group up next year, so I will be the young one in that race!!

I am sitting in the Hotel room getting ready to head out to race my Elite race today at 11:15. I am excited to race again, I love this course so much that I could race it every day and still love it. I will let you all know how it goes later tonight.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me this season in anyway. There are so many of you that really help me to be able to do what I do. I can't say thank you enough.

Kristi