This was my second year competing in the VOS Stage Race, and I was eager to improve on last year's result (9th GC). Actually, this year I am eager to race everything after last season's time off! I chose to make the 12 hour drive, knowing that I would have the return 12 hours in my legs for the Women's T of C Criterium, because I am focusing more on stage races and time trialing this season, and because our Director, Giana Roberge, was also racing, albeit in a different category. I want to take every opportunity I can to race with her advice and strategies in my pocket. At one point, I had teammates coming down as well, but as the importance of the TOC crit sank in, they opted for fresh legs on Monday, and I don't blame them for that. So I made the drive with another friend racing in the men's category 4's.
Friday's TT was my priority. I have been working on the discipline, and while I still have so much to learn, I feel I am making huge strides. With the Sequoia TT as a target, and Nationals as a huge goal, I want to take every opportunity I have to compete in this discipline. Last year at VOS I had no equipment but a tailwind, so I was lulled into thinking I was doing well and ended up in 15th place. Note to self: if you have a tailwind, so does everyone else! You are never going hard enough that you can "relax" in a TT. Simple logic, I know, but we all know what our brains are capable of when racing! I know that now more than anything, and with my beautiful Orbea underneath me, my fit dialed by Giana, and the sheer, overwhelming desire to smash this thing, I headed off. Not exactly blazed off, due to the rain, the dirty road, and the stiff head/cross wind, but headed off nonetheless. Giana and I had talked at length about focus during a TT, and the use of mantras and imaging during racing. I am starting to learn that I do better when I am relaxed and enjoying myself. Don't get me wrong - I don't show enjoyment much on the outside, I show focus, but it's there! So, I am a little sheepish to admit, but my mantra during this TT was "wouldn't it be fun to call Scott and tell him you won?!?" Simple, a bit silly, but more than anything, TRUE. And let me tell you, it helped! I ended up taking 2nd, 58 seconds down. There are of course some excuses I could make, 20/20 hindsight, any other day, etc., etc. But what was important was that I was happy with my ride, the time was good, and I was in a good position given that I had no teammates.
The following 2 stages were difficult without a team to support me, but in the end racing alone was a tremendous learning experience. Having Giana there to guide me was invaluable, and I can't wait to have everyone working together this season. Rob was also there, and his support and positive outlook were such a comfort!
In the Stage 2 road race, I had to be conservative, which at times was so hard! As my teammates know, I much prefer to be aggressive. And so I learned a little bit more about patience. In the Stage 3 criterium, I had nothing to lose, so I worked on positioning, using my size and height, and riding like I had my sprinter in the field. And so I learned a little bit more about aggression. Overall, I learned how to race alone, defend a placing, work for a better one, and that I am back this year in full force!
After 3 days of racing we jumped in the car, took the 12 hour drive in one stride, and BANG! I found myself on the start line in Santa Rosa. I finally got to test myself against some of the best legs in the country, and got to do so on behalf of my stellar teammates! I pulled Giana aside before the race and asked her "What if I get out there and I'm flat? What if I can't do my job?" Her reply? "Too bad. You have to do it. This is what being a Professional is all about." Any guesses on what my mantra was during the race? :)
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