San Bruno Hill Climb was not exactly, well at all, ever
thought about, talked about or put on my race calendar for the year. Who gets up early on News Years Day to
climb a mountain?! Stupid
people! Yep, I was one of them
this year. Why did I do it? My
oversized track quads don’t exactly scream CLIMBER. A few reasons come to mind; “force myself to practice,” “its
close,” “I had a climbing workout scheduled anyway,” “Everyone else was doing
it” and “I wanted to race my NEW ARGON 18.” I scrambled to purchase my
2013-racing license and pre-registered to save a few bucks. Bam. I was set. Time
to practice.
RACE PREP
Keith took me out to SBM on two separate occasions; first to
train hard and second to learn the course. He showed me the proper lines, where attacks may happen and where
to stay protected. I felt ready.
(Training Day. Burr it was cold at the top)
(Race Prep SBM STRAVA Segment 22:31)
PRE RACE
I took a couple Melatonin and went to bed around 10pm on New
Years Eve. I woke the next morning,
had some coffee and headed to the race.
I went ahead and parked next to Beth and Michael. Beth is always so diligent about her
warm up, something I lack. I
figured she was a good example and I should set up my trainer next to her. Race Goal- PR on SBM STRAVA segment.
(Since Keith couldn't race and I don't have a kit yet, I rocked his! I LOVE MPS!)
RACE
The race, yes the race. Ok the bottom line is, men’s races are completely different
then women’s races! Keith told me
the attacks would happen in a few spots (which they did, in the men’s race).........
not the START like it did in the women’s!
Beth Newell was on a record-breaking mission and had made a left turn
and was starting up the hill before I EVER clipped in to my pedals. My first instinct was DAMN, now I have
to go catch her. I took off! Beth
was solo off front and the group of 30ish (all women/all categories started together), hungry for a win, women were behind
me. I was so confused. DO I chase? DO I wait? I wasn’t sure, so I just kept riding at
my pace. I was all-alone forever.
I wasn’t protected in ANY of those spots Keith told me to be. I just kept riding. I turned into San Bruno Park and the
road got steeper. The field
was shattered. Someone would pass
me, I would pass them and I started to lose track of where I was. I came to the top of the MTN and put in
one final dig to cross the finish line.
(Oh dear, coach always tells me to work on form. Sit up and open my chest. This is my signature, slouch and bobble my head. NOT good form!)
POST RACE
The best part about women’s racing is the camaraderie. After the podium I went on a nice
2-hour ride with Beth, Bev, Lucia and Mike. All on different teams, but all have something in
common. We race and ride our bikes
because we love it. I am so grateful
to have met so many wonderful women (and men) in the sport.
(Podium Shot. Yes I have belly and pit sweat.... I warmed up in that shirt! Classy I know:). Inside my Rubios bag is my winnings, clif bars and some performance enhancing tablets of some sort. haha.)
PRESS
A professional version of the race: http://norcalcyclingnews.com/2013/01/02/nccn-disptches-san-bruno-hillclimb-jan-1st-2013/
Thank You 2013 Team Sponsors
Pinnacle Training http://pinnacletrainingsystems.com/
Osmo Nutrition http://osmonutrition.com/
Argon 18 Bikes http://www.argon18bike.com/velo.html
Pactimo Clothing http://pactimo.com/cycling/cycling-styles/summit/
Felicia Gomez- Director Sportif and Coach
Bill Nicely- Team Manager
Super excited for the New Year!
Thanks for reading,
JenniferMarie
PS... Who knew I would write so much for a 3.7mile race?! I cut a lot out believe it or not!
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