Green Mountain Stage Race Day #1 August 31, 2007

Cecelia, Chris and I arrived to Vermont at midnight on Thursday. We were exhausted after the long drive from the city and quickly found our way to our rooms and beds.

Friday our race wasn't until the afternoon. I was excited for this race. It was basically an uphill group time trial. Chris and I drove the course in the AM, so we knew it was going to hurt. I just hadn't anticipated how badly!

We were neutralized for about the first mile or 2. I think most of the ladies in our field didn't realize the neutralization was over or just were saving themselves, because we went really slow at the start. While we were going maybe 16 mph, there was a crash. I didn't look back, but called out for my teammates to make sure they were ok. Ashley answered, but Elena did not. Hopefully she just didn't hear me and was fine. Luckily, Elena avoided the crash!

Within a few minutes I saw the sign for QOM (Queen of the Mountain). There were only a handful of girls creeping their way toward it, so I dug deep and sprinted uphill. I thought I had it and at the last second Paulina got me at the line. Turns out Paulina is an international Pro Iron Woman champion. Not sure how the promoters thought cat 3/4 women could compete with that.

After the QOM, the road turned and got steeper. I thought I was ok, but toward the top I just couldn't keep up the pace. I passed one woman and was in 3rd place briefly, but then got passed by Shelly (met her at ESG) and Ashley(Radical Media's climbing fool). I looked back and saw no one, so I just kept my pace without overdoing it. Afterall, there were 3 more days of racing and top 5 wouldn't be so bad. Ashley got 4th and I got 5th.

Looking back I now realize how I shouldn't have gone for the QOM. It was fun trying, but that uphill sprint really did a number on my legs. Usually I can hang in there and fight the pain, but today I just faded as I approached the top. Live and learn.