First OK Race 2013

Salty/Tall is the start of the Oklahoma racing season near Tulsa, OK.  Salt Creek is a criterium, it is a hilly course. It was really windy and hard. I was disappointed with my results in the criterium. I will contiue working to get more comfortable with this type of racing.

Salt Creek Criterium

 
The good news is it didn't rain on Sunday at the road race this year but it was really cold. I beat the finish time Coach Teruki had set for me to finish the road race. I took over 12 minutes off last year's time and even had a crash! I was standing, climbing a hill, when I shifted and my chain dropped. I fell over! My time could have been even better had I not had this mishap! I am really happy that my coach was proud of my race. I was happy with my race, too, but will continue to work at getting even faster!

Coming into the Tall Chief Cove RR finish

Next race, next weekend! I'll keep you posted!

2012 Racing Season Debut

Well, the 2012 racing season is underway in Oklahoma. It always starts with the Salty Creek Criterium/Tall Chief Cove Road Race. I had signed up to race in the Jr. category for both days but when I got there, on Saturday, they informed me that the Jr. road race had been cancelled for Sunday due to bad weather being forcast. I was really disappointed. So, my coach Mark Teruki suggested I race in the Men's 4/5. I was excited to be able to race, since I wanted to see if I had improved since last year, but I was a little nervous to be in my first men's race.

Saturday's criterium went OK. I made a major mistake at the beginning and although I finished closing the gap and feeling really strong at the end it was too late to make up the time I needed. I took third and learned something for future races. One thing about racing is you are always learning and getting more chances to do better!

Sunday I woke up feeling ready for the road race! I ate my new race breakfast, courtesy of Biju Thomas, and knew I was feeling better today. It was cold and wet and started pouring just before our race began. I felt really good and when the day was done I had taken 29 minutes off my time from last year and placed 11th. It was a long way from a win but it felt like a victory in a small way to me. I overcame my nerves, raced with men and showed a significant improvement over last year. I know I haven't come even close to my full potential and I will continue training hard but I will take small victories and build off them!

Next race...TIME TRIAL...this weekend!

LIVESTRONG

Salty & Tall Race-March 12 & 13, 2011

Racing has Officially begun for 2011!

The long awaited race season has begun and it started just like last year. My first race was the Salt Creek Criterium. I was very excited to finally get started this year but I think I wasted a lot of energy just thinking about Saturday. I felt like a soda bottle that had been shaken up and ready to explode but it didn't really go the way I planned!

Part of Team Rad-Dallas, Jay & Luke

There were five Jr.'s in Saturday's race and three of us were from the same team, Team Rad Racing. We had a good plan and most of it was executed like our coach wanted. The trouble for me started when the older boys jumped out early in the race. I felt like I needed to get more from my gears to catch them but when climbing my first hill I got cross geared. I know about crossing the chain, big ring + big gear = no no! But, there I was cross geared and trying to climb the first hill! I was trying to get my gearing corrected but it would not move! I just kept falling further and further behind! It was so frustrating!



Trying to climb...come on gears...CHANGE!



I can do this!



I finally got my gearing to move and I was starting to gain on the boy in front of me but time just wasn't on my side. I'd run out of time and laps! I believe I would have caught him if I'd been able to complete that last 1/2 lap! Oh, well, my teammates place 2nd and 3rd which was awesome! It was their first criterium ever and so I was really happy for them. I came in 5th out of 5...LAST!!! I was really mad I had made such a big mistake and couldn't help my team more! I realized that evening I had really tried to ride someone else's race instead of my own. GOOFY!! But, I had a chance for redemption! I was glad I'd signed up for the Tall Chief Cove Road Race the following day! I needed it to regain some confidence and focus on riding MY race!



Getting ready to start Tall Chief



Start of 1st climb



What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was warm with a nice breeze...today's race FREEZING, VERY WINDY...BRUTAL! This was a road race and to quote the flyer "A beautiful 20.5 mile course with demanding hills and challenging turns." They were not kidding! It was all true...beautiful, DEMANDING hills and CHALLENGING turns...I loved it! Today, I was determined to ride my race. I had a little rough start. Right off the start line my left foot slipped off the pedal while trying to get clipped in and we were starting up the 1st hill! Luckily, I saved it and no one crashed! I felt good as I started climbing and soon we were crossing the dam and heading towards some big climbs! I felt strong on the bike today and  didn't make any of the mistakes from the previous day. It was a great day on the bike! I stuck to my plan and road my race! I knew what I had in the tank and used it! When I saw the little one lane bridge I knew I was in the home stretch! I just put my head down and powered through to the end! I placed 2nd and got a silver medal! I was really proud of how much better I road on this TOUGH course!




Coming across the finish line-2nd place



1st medal of 2011 season



It was a fun weekend! I love getting out there and seeing so many racing friends! I am never happier than when I'm on my bike and doing well on it is even better! I'm so happy my season has started! Stay tuned as I have many more races scheduled!