I raced last weekend in the Kentucky State Championships. It was my kind of course, except for it being brutally long. There was a barrier run up, some big hills to climb, and the sand pit I could actually ride through because it was only like 6ft long and all wet. The barriers were really short too.
I should have done well. I sucked.
I could blame it on a variety of things. A bad start, a clusterfuck of girls I had never seen before, and none of them knew how to ride in a close pack very fast. My cough set in during lap 3. I even fell once too. The actuality is - I just didn't have it in my lungs to make them hurt anymore.
I crossed the finish line coughing. I've been coughing on and off ever since the race.
The next test is Nov. 30th. My PCP called. She said my breathing function is "extraordinary" and that I don't have anything crazy like emphysema. Chest x rays are clear. No wheezing. Only coughing.
And it's all exercise induced.
I am racing one more CX race this weekend (the Ohio Cyclocross State Championships!) and then I am done for the season. I will have raced nine cyclocross races in the last two months. My lungs need to heal. I am ready for some long endurance miles this winter.
Speaking of endurance.
Mine is all gone. I have none. I don't know how it's come to this. I miss going for really long rides. And I am not talking about 3 hours. I am talking about those 6 hour century rides. I remember Amanda and I doing one this time last year just for the fuck of it. I am too tired from racing just about every weekend to do any more than the minimum Coach OB assigns.
I have been thinking about my "BIG" race for 2011 and have decided to do the Mohican 100m mountain bike race. It's June 4th. I am so happy! I am even more stoked about my new frame from Voodoo. It's a 29'er. Dominic is going to build it up and we will save $$ because Dominic can lace wheels (Ron! are you reading this?)!
I won't have the cash to have it completed until February but it's something to look forward to this winter.
My friend Debbie Baker takes the most intense CX pictures I have ever seen. She gets those hideous CX expressions close up. I love them. Debbie is the only girl I know who used to race BMX. She's got no fear on a bike and is doing the Mohican 100m with me this year. Here are a couple shots she got of me from last weekend.
Have a nice Thanksgiving everyone.
8 comments:
This Sunday will be bittersweet. One more race with my Judi. But the last one for a long time to come. :(
It's gonna have to be a P A R T Y
I run on the trails at Mohican that you will ride on, and you will really enjoy the trails there!
Can't believe that the season is about over. I'm bummed for you that it wasn't what you had hoped for. Rest up and build you base back up. Your insurance will come roaring back. I promise.
Coop
The cough is a bummer Judi but that Voodoo is badass! Good luck at the Ohio XC Championships!
Awww.. Thanks Judi. I really look forward to Mohican. It's such an awesome place to race!!!
Voo.Doo. I want one. Gawjussss.
I am reminded once again that when you live Back East, the states are mostly smaller so you can more easily travel to do more than one state championship race. But NINE races in two months? if I did that many my partner would be working out funeral arrangements or something.
..::shakes head::..
If the cough is exercise-induced, they've got all sorts of new techniques to help you deal with that. Ask you PCP about accupunture as a possible aid to relieving symptoms.
After your final cross race, take yourself out for the biggest, baddest, most delicious meal you can imagine after next weekend, and congratulate yourself on rocking the free world. Have an excellent race!
@beth! i just got acupuncture for it today (free, wedding present)! i will go again in two weeks. hoping it helps. thanks for your comment.
Hope the cough gets better. My endurance is gone as well. I've heard good things about the mohican. It's awesome your getting into some mtb races. A couple of friends of mine have voodoos and love em.
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