Central Coast Circuit Race (CCCX#1)

My January training has focused on pack skills, threshold work and time trialing.  Team captain Jane Despas has been very good about taking me out of my comfort zone and getting me on the local group rides; Spectrum and Noon.  This is something I have NEVER done until now.  I feared getting dropped or crashing.  I have now been on several group rides this January and have been just fine!  Stage racing is right around the corner and the time trial bike has become my new friend.  Time trialing is something I enjoy actually.  I love being the only one on the road with no one around to break my zone.  Now it is February.  It’s time to transition from training to racing.  Jane, Tanja and I decided to give our legs a bit of that early season race leg zap.  Valley of the Sun is in 2 weeks and we want to be ready.  We have all been training hard, but there is a mental component about racing that just can’t be achieved when training solo. 

Goals for CCCX: My goal for CCCX was to get tired.  My coach wanted me to have some fatigue in my legs in preparation for a time trial workout under fatigue for the next day (today).  I am procrastinating that workout.  Time trials are not always first in stage races, so yes, I need to practice them post racing.  Do I have a smart coach or what?  I would have never thought of that. 

Tanja and I showed up to the race early to register and warm up.  Jane is a complete stud and decided to do the local Spectrum ride as a “warm-up.”  For those who don’t know, that is not an easy ride!  We met up with Jane before the race for a little spin and pre race chat.  Jane gave us some Pinnacle jerseys to wear (we don’t have our official kits yet) and some OSMO active hydrate and acute recovery product.  Our sponsors are so good to us!!!

(Race Start)

 We lined up at the start with a small field of 10 riders, which isn’t bad for an early season women’s race actually.  The race started with a series of attacks and Jane made sure to cover them.  Tanja then counter attacked and Jane got right up front to control the field as I sat in.  It was the first lap and my teammate Tanja was out of site.  No one was attacking or chasing.  I have no clue how, but on the second lap a crash managed to happen which slowed the race a bit.  This just meant that Tanja was further gone and I knew I could probably liven up the race a bit and not have to worry about bringing the field up to my teammate.  Ideally, I was in a great position to just sit in, but I had to remember what the goal of the race was.  The goal was to get tired, not sit in and try to contest a field sprint.  This race was part of my training.  I went out on an attack and no one was quick enough to respond to my wheel.  Jane said the girls tried and tried to get me, but they just weren’t making ground.  Jane continued to monitor the pack and I continued on my 5 laps solo.  I couldn’t see the field, but I didn’t want to risk getting caught, so I picked up the pace on the last lap.  Each climb I felt the burn in my legs and each descent felt like heaven.  I opted for the smaller gear and a higher cadence.  Being on a rolling course for 5laps (20miles) solo is not easy on the legs.  I crossed the finish line alone for 2^nd.  My teammate Tanja was there waiting for me after her first place domination.  We waited and watched the bunch sprint.  Jane came in 4^th just behind Kira (FolsomBike).  

(Women 1/2 Podium.  Keith says I look like a Cat 4 in my first race. So sweet. PUNK!) 

Collectively,  Pinnacle left CCCX#1 with 70 bucks that we split amongst each other.  We got some registration fees back and had a wonderful time racing. Sweeet!

(I guess this is how P1/2 Men do the podium)

(Post race team picture with the Argon18 and yellow potty in the background)

I am very happy about yesterdays race and so thankful for the girls on my team.  I know full well that Jane could have dominated that race and tore my legs off!  She wasn't there to do that though.  She was there to mentor Tanja and I.  Thank you Jane for your leadership and helping Tanya and I score a podium finish!

(Post race sunset cool-down with Tanya and Keith)

Ted Burns is working on a Norcal News write-up.  I will post the link here when I see it.  

There were a ton of photographers out as well.  I'll add some pictures when they surface, so check back!

I better get out for my TT workout!

Thanks for reading, 

JenniferMarie