BASP#4

This was my third CX race of the season. Originally I wasn't looking forward to doing this race. My last race, BASP#2, was horrible. I had been sick the week before the race, and wasn't able to maintain the intense efforts during the race. That race left me with a really negative feeling towards CX. However, yesterday's race changed all of that.
I decided to race in the A's, that way there was less pressure to podium. The first thing I noticed when I lined up for the start was the small size of the field, only 44 racers.
The start of the race was a little bit sketchy. Someone locked up there brakes during the hole shot sprint; then racers were going too hot into turn number one and pushed a lot of people wide into the course tape. After the initial chaos I settled into a good rhythm and started passing people. I moved my way up to the middle of the pack, continuing to pass people, but then my peddle hit a root and sent me flying off my bike.
I imagine my crash looked pretty funny because I was just riding along and then all of a sudden I'm bucked off my bike. Well I pop up and start to get ready to mount my bike when I'm stopped by shouting spectators telling me my chain was off. It was off in a way I've never seen before. Luckily a spectator helped me get it back on, allowing me to get back into the race, but not before being passed by numerous people. It took a while, but I started to get back into a rhythm. Once again I started to pass some people who had passed me during my crash.
I was doing well getting back up towards the middle of the pack, until I crashed - again. This time I went down in a sandy section. This did me in. I was passed by a lot of people while I tried get my chain back on.
Throughout the remainder of the race I had some mechanicals (my rear quick release came loose - twice), but I managed to stay upright. Even though I ended up 39th of 44 I had a ton of fun. It really rejuvenated my CX racing spirit. Now I'm looking forward to the last race in the BASP series. I'll be racing the A's again :)

The "Non-Competitive" season

Well I'm still at it. Training for the '08 season. It's somewhat disheartening to not be as strong of a rider as I was during the racing season. It's much more of a struggle to get up hills. My lungs can handle it, but my legs get tired more quickly than during the racing season. It probably doesn't help I haven't been doing much climbing during my training rides.
Almost all of my training is done on flat/rolling terrain. I guess we're trying to build/maintain my aerobic engine. The strength work will come closer to the start of the season.
I guess it's not reasonable to try and maintain my fitness all the way through the non-competitive season through to next season. I would get burnt out, and I've already been close to burn-out once this month. It doesn't matter if I can kick-ass on the bike now, it only really counts during races.
Speaking of races, I have my first CX race in over a month this Sunday. I'm not too excited about it. I don't know why. I had a blast last year, but for some reason I'm not getting that into it this year. It's probably because I didn't train last year, I only raced.
Maybe my experience would change if I could hydrate during the race. My mouth gets so dry that I start mentally breaking down. I'm going to try to carry a small flask of fluids during this Sunday's race and see how things go. Speaking of which I need to get my CX bike ready for this weekend.