Masters Elite Cyclocross Racing (or: This Is The NFL, Son; This Ain't College Ball No More)

So, I've threatened several times recently to give my mid-season thoughts on the move from the 3/4 Masters to the "Elite" (aka 1/2/3) Masters races.

First let me start with why I decided to make the move this year.  I waffled, I admit it.  I am a Cat 3 for cyclocross.  After a couple of podium finishes last year, I had 1/2 the points toward a Cat 2 upgrade, but at the same time, there were a couple of results where I came in around 20th.  So, I wasn't dominating the 3/4 Masters, but I felt like I was a contender.  This year I turned 44, which means I'm racing age 45 for cyclocross purposes.  This was something of a turning point issue.  I figured I would measure myself against the 45+ members of the 123 Masters.  Plus, I'd raced 3/4 Masters for the last 2 years and felt like I knew what I could do there.  Later start times and smaller fields weren't a bad thing either (until Jake decided that a 2 lap junior race wasn't really much of a thrill and suddenly I'm having to get him to the race early).  Finally, I had faired ok in the one Elite Masters race I did last year.  So, I should be able to do ok, right.

Realistically, I knew that this was a significant undertaking.  I had no illusions that I would be contending for the podium or even the top 10.  MABRA has multiple guys who are national-level competitors (and unfortunately, several of them are 45+).  So, I knew that I would have to adjust my expectations.

What have I observed/experienced?  First, it is not a "step" up, or even a "jump" up.  It is a pole vault up to the next level.  It is like they always say about the move from college football to the NFL.  Everything is moving much faster.  Everyone is at least as good as you and many are a bunch better.  They are bigger, faster, and stronger, and they have a lot of experience.  

The starts were the first thing I noticed.  I historically am a fast starter.  But obviously I'm not being called up to the first two rows.  Even from the third row, the starting minute is very aggressive.  Maybe I've been too passive, but there is a lot of pushing and people will shove in front of you at any cost.  In the 3/4 Masters there would be mass yelling and probably crashing, but here it is unnoticed.  It is the NFL, son.  David Crouse moved up for DCCX and is reported to have remarked on the same thing, saying "that mellow vibe went away real fast." 

Second, you are no longer even close to the best person.  There is a lot of parity.  So, if you make the slightest mistake you immediately are passed by 5 guys and probably lose contact with a group that you were only barely holding onto to begin with.  At least for me.  Yes, there are guys who maybe bobble, but then can quickly pass the 5 guys who passed and regain contact with the lead group.  Not me, at least not now.  They are genetic freaks.   And if you have a bad day, or maybe a particular course isn't the best for you, you are going backward at high speed.  Before I could eek out a top 20 if I had a bad day.  Now, I'm literally racing not to be dead last.

So, yeah, let's talk about the genetic freaks.  45, 50+ year old guys who are not only kicking my sorry butt but are driving the front 5 of the entire group.  Randy Root, Bernie Shiao, for example.  These are really nice guys, but they have been at this level for years and are amazingly fast and strong.  I can't touch them.  Certainly not this year (I did hold Root at bay for 2 laps at Winchester last year if I recall, so maybe, someday.....hah).  But, still, really nice guys who have been welcoming and free with input and advice.  Indeed, everyone has been.  It's a good group.  They've been racing each other for a long time, typically, and, as Crouse observed, before the race it is a very mellow vibe. 

I guess the hardest thing so far has been the mental expectations.  Other than the start, I felt like I had a decent race at DCCX.  My heart rate monitor would say afterward that my average heart rate was as high as it's going to get.  I was open and giving full gas, but I was 37th overall and 10th out of 17 among the 45+.  It can be hard to take away a positive affirmation about your strength and fitness.  On some level, I'm trying to learn who I belong with and where I should be focusing.  I've been right behind Shawn Downing in a bunch of races now, and on some level that's not bad.  I "knew who he was" before ever racing against him, which tells you that he's a legit masters racer.  Duking it out with him is not a bad place to be, I think.  And he's another very nice guy.  Very friendly. (Now, if only I can beat him).

Looking at recent results, it strikes me that this is a field of two groups.  There is the front group, which can be anywhere from 10 to 20 guys.  They are generally Cat 1 or Cat 2 (there are one or two guys who are "cat 3" but only because they haven't bothered to upgrade I think).  Unfortunately, they are not all under 45, but maybe most of them are.  Then there is a second group.  Many more Cat 3s, a big group of 45+ Cat 3s.  I think on most days I'm doing ok in this group.  Part of me wants to at least hang on to the back of the front group, but I don't think so this year (unless I get a big boost in fitness or freshness over these last 4 weeks).  The slowest guy in this second group would be top 10 in the 3/4 Masters on almost every day.

What do I think about the future. 

With Jake looking at options for High School (e.g., do you go into the super advanced track), I've been thinking about the idea of whether it's better to be the front of one group or the middle of the advanced group.  I'm not sure what the answer is for Jake (seriously, better to get As in advanced class, or get some Cs in the super advanced/College credit courses? Does all As look better for a college application? Does any "C" look bad, even if it's in a college level course when you're a sophomore in high school?).  Ultimately, it's not quite the same because if I fail miserably in the elite masters, it won't effect my college options and I won't end up working at McDonalds and turn to a life of drugs and poverty (but I will be very cranky).

Clearly, I can only race in this group if I'm healthy and able to train.  (This year's pre-season training was very very bad).  Any slight let down in training or increase in work would shoot me out the back very fast.  However, as long as everything stays the same, I don't see why I won't race it again next year.  Heck, I'm already thinking about what I'll do differently next year.  Riding with Jake more will be a good source of training.  And I've heard banter about a stand-alone 45+ race, maybe encompassing all categories.  That could be fun and interesting.  Still Root and Shiao and Heubner will dominate, but maybe without a big group of guys they won't be as far in front, or maybe guys like me can get on them from the start and have a better chance of staying with them.  But that's just speculation.

So, that's what I'm thinking.  Oh, and I need carbon tubulars.  Clearly, my failure to adhere to that simple requirement of the MABRA Elite Masters' By-Laws is dooming me.  At least that's my story.

 

Comments

[Lindsey]

I have had a similar experience racing the MAC W123 this year and the MABRA 1/2. I used to hold myself back a bit when staring in the W3/4, now I go all-out and am lucky if I'm mid-pack. You may one mistake and there is next to no chance that you'll be able to make up that ground. My head is not in a good place this year and while I could go through the motions in a 3/4 race and still end up in the top 5, I will end up last or nearly last in the elite race.

[shawn downing]

Scott - you summed up my thoughts and feelings about 35/45 elite. It is not perfect but then how do you explain a 56+ year old Randy Root giving hell to the top 5 of 35/45 year olds? Like hime, some are genetic freaks like 45 year old Laura Van Gilder and Mark Kutney too.
I have to realize now what is wrong with being average? It is all about the struggle. We live in a fantastic area with deep talent - enjoy it!
See you at the next event.
shawn

[Scott]

Shawn,

Thanks for reading and for commenting. And thanks for being a nice nemesis for me. You've made it fun. I am just disappointed because I don't feel like I've gotten my A game going this season. But yes, you will see me at Howard County. I like Rockburn and it historically likes me (like Winchester, just the right combo of turns to slow the really fast guys down, and hills to give my skinny butt a little advantage)

[Scott]

Oh, and Shawn, the crazy thing is we're not "average" if you look at the larger universe of masters racers. There, I said something positive ;-)