Scott's Right Of Way: The End Of The Cross Season

Today was the end of cross season, and what an end. For the first time in 3(?) years of racing cross around here, we finally had a full-on mudder. Oh, we knew it going in. Snow during the week. Rain on Friday. 35 and drizzling when we left this morning. I was giddy with anticipation. We were going to race cross Belgian style, the way God intended.

So we loaded up the car with every piece of cycling clothing we owned, and 99 towels. It was literally 35 and drizzling.

Sure enough, the course in Elkridge MD was a skating rink of greasy mud. Fun. Even at slow speed in recon laps with Jake, you could feel that your bike was gently floating under you, not fully engaged with the ground.

So I warmed up while it drizzled a bit. I got a great start, and came out of the prologue loop in 3d behind Marc Vettori and Chris Nystrom; they went on to ride away from the field, just like in the first race at Charm City. I really was feeling ok, and flying in the mud, but I botched the first time through the sand a little, which lost me a couple 3-5 places, then 30 seconds later, flying in the big ring, there was a gentle curve, but I was too close to the apex, hit a rut in the mud, and went straight into the tape. I was hoping it would break and I could go through, but I was caught, and at least 10-15 guys passed me as I got untangled. I was suddenly in 20th (or so), my great start and good sensations, lost. Luckily I was able to laugh about it and just accept that it would be like that. So I started hunting those who had passed me. I passed a group or two, then spent some time trying to catch Karl Kensinger of NCVC, who had a great race. I thought I had him, but I couln't clipped in because of mud in my cleats (about 3 laps to go?) and lost him as I soft pedaled and kicked at my pedals to clear the mud. I then spent a lap reeling in my old friend Bernie McDonald, who as past posts have discussed, is very strong. I passed him near the barriers with 2.25 laps to go, which gave me a real boost. But my hamstrings were cramping over the barriers, and I was starting to struggle. I then set my sights on David Blodgett of All American. I was a few seconds back, but I was caught on the last lap by Chip Sovek, who was using his MTB skills to carve some really nice turns. In a mental moment, I cracked a little when he caught me. I should have hit him hard when he made contact, but I was coasting, trying to recover on a long downhill. Bad. He must have sensed it and passed me then. He caught Blodgett in a sweet move on a tricky corner around the tennis courts near the end of the lap (but Blodgett got him in the sprint). I was just behind them, but couldn't close to them. GRRR.

I ended up 11th. I was burned out going into this race and didn't train this week (and I've been nursing a shoulder injury that I'm pretty sure is now a full-on rotator cuff injury that I've been icing since I got home), but still I'm a little frustrated by just missing the top 10 yet again. Next year it will be my goal to consistently be in top 10 in the 3/4 Masters and land on some podium steps.

After the race, Chris Nystrom gave me some nice Belgian Chimay Beer. Yummy.

My bike and I were quite muddy I got changed, and Jake and I sat in the car with the heat on (his gloves were quite wet and he was getting cold).

Jake's race started at 1:30. About 10 kids lined up for the 10-16 race.

I told Jake and Nick Battan to get a good start so they could choose their own lines through the mud. Jake got a good start. But I was a little concerned when they reappeared after the prologue loop because he had lost a few places. Nick was right behind him, and in a funny moment, I was yelling "don't let Nick catch you" while Nick's mom was yelling at Nick "catch Jake" -- we laughed. Here they are in the sand on the first lap.

After they disappeared back into the woods, where the very muddy turns were really concentrated, Jake made his move. When they reappeared, he had moved into 4th, close on the heels of 12 year old Emily Heubner, who is strong and fast. From there, Jake would make up time on her in the technical sections, but she had the advantage when they were in the faster power sections. This is a video from the technical section near the end of the first lap.Download MVI_1421.AVI (give it a minute to load).

On the second lap, Jake was clawing after her. They put a big gap into Nick and the other boy on a mountain bike. Jake again made up ground on her on the muddy technical sections. He says that he actually caught her back in the woods in the mud, but that she pulled away on a long uphill (I remember that hill; it hurt and at the top was loose, thick gravel that really killed).

I thought that he had her with 1k to go around the technical tennis court section (and she said afterward that she was concerned he did too), but she used her power to hold him off. He was 4th (wearing my jacket over his jacket in the picture to stay warm.)

These were long laps, so they raced for about 30-35 minutes. While he hasn't trained, at all, I was proud of how hard he fought. He was hurting at the end, but he didn't give up. And he loved the mud.

Nick finished strong too, almost catching the 11 year old on the MTB, despite crashing a few times (remember Nick is only 9 and Jake 10).

And so it ends. Cross season 2007. A success for sure. I am happy with my improvement, and while I'm frustrated at being ever so close so many times, with only one time cracking the top 10, I can't complain about the consistent placing in the top 15 and the overall improvement. Next year, with the extra experience, and a little more strength, I'll be battling for the podium. And Jake, I won't be surprised to see a big jump from him. He'll have to move up to a full sized bike, which will roll faster with its bigger wheels. And he'll be 11 (that's scary), so who knows how much bigger and stronger. Fun stuff.

Comments

Next year will be a good one for both of you. The 'cross learning curve is steep. Fitness notwithstanding, big improvements accrue with each race under your belts. There are so many little things that go into racing CX.

With some not-to-be-named 8-) racers catting up you'll be one of the guys battling for podiums next year.

Take a look at the jump that Sam O'Keefe made this year. Within a couple of years I think we'll see Jake doing the same. He's getting a lot of experience under his belt. When he grows into a bigger bike he'll take off...and start dropping us old guys before long!

Start planning for Nationals. He'll need an escort so you'll have to go to. I'm sure your wife will understand. 8-)

Great season! Enjoy the break. Time to go bake some cookies.

Posted by: Chris | December 10, 2007 at 07:53 AM

Scott....nice way to end season. Great racing with you and getting to know you the 2nd half of the season. As Chris said...w/ all the 'not to be named' guys moving to the field they should race in 8^) - we'll have a different feel to the race next year. Should be interesting to see who does cat up and who doesn't - and who arrives into the Masters 3/4 fields from 3/4 and 4 fields. We'll need to step up the Masters 3/4 game a bit.....to do the field justice next year when comparing to this year. Have a fun off season....get that mtn bike and ride it.

Posted by: Jeff | December 10, 2007 at 08:48 AM

Thanks, Chris, for the kind words and support all season. MMMMMM cookies. At least one voice in the wilderness has even suggested that I should make the move to Elite Masters next year. While that is very kind, I think I need to get a couple of top 10s and fight my way onto some podiums first. Although, the timing of the elite masters and Jake's race works better logistically (at least under this year's schedule; who knows what next year will look like).

I'm going to go get some donuts for breakfast

Posted by: Scott | December 10, 2007 at 08:49 AM