Elena's Race Report: Tour of the Battenkill

Post date: Jul 18, 2010 3:2:32 AM

The first thing I will say is that this course was pretty intense. It can be summed up with hill after hill after hill for 62 miles, much of it on dirt roads, with a lot of wind and some of the best riders in the country (and Canada).

The race started off with me fully aware that I had worn too many clothes, never a good feeling when it’s too late to do anything about it and other 3s at the line with me saying things like “you haven’t upgraded yet? I thought you were a 2!” also not encouraging. I hung in with the pack for through the first climb no problem, the second I struggled, and then somewhere around there (25ish miles in?) I got dropped. I then worked with a group of 8 who about 15 miles later also dropped me.

At this point, I hadn’t drank any water or had any food (yes I know it was stupid but the course was technical and I was just focused on keeping up!) and bonked pretty bad and started riding at a more leisurely pace and trying to eat and drink. I caught up to this girl who rode with me until about mile 45 and then she upped the pace on a hill and I was dropped again. Now feeling tired, still hungry and thirsty, and with a new pain in my right knee, I just tried to power through it, convinced I was in last place. To my surprise I was passed at the end by some 4 or 5 girls in my field and finished in the back of my field, I think 42nd out of 46, but was just so happy to finish.

Now i feel pretty discouraged with how I placed but I'm reminding myself that I tried my hardest. I thought about quitting about 20 times but decided that I don’t quit races, and I would feel like it was a wasted trip to NY. Plus I wouldn’t feel good about wearing my new cool t-shirt if I had quit. So I hung in there and am happy I did. I can honestly say it was the hardest race or ride I have ever done, but a good learning experience as it was the first “real” road race I’ve ever done, and the third ride in my life over 50 miles. You just have to keep trying, right?

Look out for info in next email about team meeting!

Elena