Four days of "Tracking" (racing on the track) has left me feeling happy, humbled, excited and tired. I thought I knew what to expect when I had the grand idea in July of coming to Track Nationals. I was pretty sure I would be prepared, I was pretty sure I would ride fast, and I was pretty sure I could take care of myself. Never mind the fact I had never done a track race in my life, I felt like I could go and do well. No problem.
WRONG!
Day #1 left me feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
Day #2 left me feeling bitter.
Day #3 left me feeling like a doe-doe (forgot Pursuit bars, got the "crack pipe" stuck in the disc wheel and realizing I forgot to pump up my tires the day before), happy (Team Pursuit win), unprepared (almost missing my "Scratching" heat), and hungry (carrots for a snack wasn't the best idea).
Day #4 left me feeling disappointed but satisfied (2nd in Pursuit BUT a huge learning experience), and tired (I felt like I had raced 140 windy km in Holland instead of 16km while "Pursuiting and Scratching").
I have a new appreciation for people who race on the track. It's not easy and there is a lot of stuff involved in something that seems so simple. It more than just picking your gear and riding. People who race the track do it because they love it. There is no other reason than that. They don't do it for the money and they don't do it for the fame. They do it because they love racing their bike -fast- in circles.
2 comments:
oops, here's what i meant to put...
hey girl, i give you props for giving er' a go! i would never even try it b/c i ride/race my bike to be outside and to go up mountains... ;-)
off season now?
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