I resisted cyclocross for a good long while. It interferes with climbing season, I said. Carrying your bike is stupid, I said. Bah, who wants to ride in the rain?, I said. And my last excuse? Hundreds of people do it, many who are totally out of shape. How is that a sport? (yes, and aren't I just an exclusive bitch?)
But Barkernews did not give up on me. He pressured me and pressured me and pressured me until I gave in. I admit it: I GAVE IN. It only took a little over a year and a very nice deal on a bike, thanks to my team membership. And really? Who doesn't want a new bike?
Exactly. I was going to race cyclocross.
On Saturday, that's just what we did at the aptly named Pain on the Peak. It was painful. It was dusty. It was hot as hell.
But, ummmm...and I hate to say this out loud...it was a total blast.
Shhhhhh...don't tell Barkernews he was right. Because I will never live that one down. Ever.
Barkernews does his thing. He makes it look so painful, doesn't he?
Hazel and I warm up the cowbell.
Joe and Barkernews post-race. Makes you want to do it, doesn't it?
Barkernews pins my number on before I enter the shark tank. My stance belies my extreme nervousness. We're talking "I'm going to puke any second" nervousness. I have never done this before (outside of practice). I have no idea what I am doing. I don't want to die.
In the midst of the shark tank. I was actually in 2nd place for 2 laps, but then I realized that if one is going to race cyclocross, one should not stop training entirely in the middle of August. See Michelle right behind me? Despite taking a digger in T + 2 seconds, she still passed me. We're on the same team, so I can't be too mad at her.
Oh, the suffering. Oh, the heat. Oh, the lack of oxygen. Fun? FUN!
Post-race, chugging water. Pretty sure I died and left my lungs on the run-up. Also pretty sure I will be doing it again in two weeks.
