It has been a few years since I have had a chance to race my National Championships.  When I made a race plan back in the winter, I thought a peak for nationals and the Giro would be a good change.  However, racing life sometimes creates the need to be flexible, adapt, and overcome.  And… I would like to think that I am pretty good with… being…flexible, adapting, and overcoming. 

I did my best to make the most of nationals.  It came a little bit earlier than I would have preferred, but I was still able to come back with some form to fight.

The American contingent of Webcor flew from Minneapolis to Bend on Monday.  That gave us a couple of days to settle into our host houses and to see the course.  I was thankful to have the two days to scope out the course, since I had yet to race it.  Everyone else had either raced it at Nationals last year or at the Cascade Classic.  I used Tuesday and Wednesday to recover from NVGP, get some leg speed, keep the engine firing, and take a technical look at the course.  There was actually a lot to do, but I managed to get prepared.

The race itself went well for me.  I do not think I could have asked for more, although I did want to win.  I went out with a good strategy and was able to carry it out.  I hit the first section that was uphill well, and then I tried to hang on coming back down.  I did my best to keep my speed rolling and minimize my losses.  If the race was only back to the corner where the “lollipop” started, I think I would have been close.  However, I struggled a little to finish the race.  I think the last 15’ish minutes were indicative of my lack of race fitness.  However, I fought hard all the way back to the finish, including safely avoiding a semi truck-trailer that snuck onto the closed course and was about to turn right in front of me. 

I crossed the line and was in first place, but since I was one of the first to go, I had to wait until the rest of the field finished.  I actually stayed in the hot seat, or hot patch of sidewalk, until the very end.  Evie was the last to start and finished with the fastest time knocking me into second.  (FYI She had a fantastic ride, and I give her all the kudos.  I am sure she will win many more race titles as she progresses into her career.)   I finished with the silver, and I am happy that I am continuing to progress, and I am anxious to play in the road race.

As for my green mates, they are also fresh and ready for the Road Race, (or crit tonight for U23 Lindsay.)  Katheryn probably wishes she ate something different for dinner.  Her TT was derailed by some bad food.  Ally is gaining valuable experience with every race, including her TT with the elites yesterday.  Lindsay chose to save her legs for the U23 crit and road race…  And the staff… our great staff… was excellent as usual. 

Alrighty… off to go watch the crit.  Road Race is Sunday.