ALLISON MANN

I’ll start at the end and work my way back.

Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend traditionally (well, 2010 and 2011 for Justin and I so far!) sees the SCNCA Cyclocross District Championships near Los Angeles, CA.  So, Sunday we headed north west to Glendale’s Verdugo Park for a day of serious cross racing on a super fun course in amazing weather.

I got all philosophical and metaphorical with myself during my pre-race warm up, thinking back to 2010′s District Championship.  I most definitely wasn’t running up a tally of random injuries from mountain biking, and was on a vastly different crash course (not literally) in max aerobic power training, instead of just a bit of steady riding here and there, and some trails for good measure, plus the odd cross race when it fit in with life.  District Champs 2010 ended my cross season for last year, and it was back to building up a solid base throughout December (what a waste! Stupid black death foot).

(2010)

Well, 2011 is NOT 2010, and with little speed work or intervals or even hills, really, in the past 3 weeks since my last cross race at Long Beach, I wasn’t sure how the race would go. I somewhat put a bit of pressure on myself so far all cross season to make it to District’s and work to win the title for the 2nd year in a row. My training has been going ok, slow and steady does it, but my nutrition has been on a crash course the last 3-4 weeks with very little light at the end of the tunnel (my own fault, of course). So, due to the lead up to this weekend’s race, I wasn’t sure if I’d be battling for 1st or just fighting to step on the box. Either way, when we left the house Sunday morning the day was bright, crystal clear, and amazingly warm, much unlike 2010 (when it was about 53F for my race, instead of 78F).

I knew at least I’d have fun on my CruX, racing against the local fast ladies of cross, with maybe a few others mixing it up as well.

When we arrived at Verdugo Park we got one of the last few spots in the entire parking lot, a few down the row from new Pro Triathlete and Iron(wo)man Beth Walsh and super fast Xterra, MTB, CX, 70.3 and IM racer James Walsh.  I had no idea Beth was racing, but she lined up with the Women 1-4 A group, which is awesome.

To interrupt my own post for just a sec  - it occurred to me last night that this is one of the reasons I LOVE cyclocross.  There is such a varied and diverse group of women (and men too!) that come together to race cross.  It’s the “off season”, and while there are probably more people that train and race specifically cross only, for a lot of us it’s a fun weekend diversion from long training rides, and a great excuse to win beer after riding around in small circles really fast for 40-60 minutes.

I’ve raced against first-time bike racers, 70.3 Pro’s, Ironman winners, mountain bike U23 pro racers, Elite mountain bike racers, Elite cyclocross racers, road racers, weekend warriors, and friends and neighbors alike this season alone!  Cross is not just mountain bikers, or just road racers, or just cross racers.  It’s a bit of everything – a virtual (or actual!) melting pot of bike racing that’s brought together happily by So Cal’s own Dot Wong – an awesome advocate, promoter, and racer in her own right.

Soo, I got in 2 laps of the course, very similar to 2010, didn’t sweat it or stress much at all, watched Justin’s start for 35-44 (about 75 guys all starting together!), happily listened to announcer extraordinaire Larry Longo light up the crowd and cheer on racers, and then headed over to Verdugo Ave. to get my solo warm up on. Didn’t see any other cyclists out, and while not a super bike-friendly road, the street wasn’t overly crowded and the lights were fairly warm-up friendly.  Score!

I came back to the venue and couldn’t see Justin at all, but I kept seeing everyone else in his wave go by.  I finally heard Larry announcing the leaders of John Bailey, David Sheek, Fritz Bottger, and finally Justin in 4th.  I was hoping he wasn’t too bummed, racing a fast crew of guys that typically duke it out for top-10s in the Elite Men’s field here locally.  He was mixing it up throughout and had a solid race, narrowly missing a top-3.

I was more than done warming up, but after Justin’s race they set up the kids race, so the Women’s was a bit delayed.  I cruised around the venue and eventually lined up in staging unsure of call-ups (Dot’s leading her own series!!) and chatting with other racers.

Eventually the USAC officials made their way over, and I was happily surprised to get 1st call up being the reigning District Champ.  I chose the middle staging box, tried to get my breathing dialed, and pictured myself a missile/rocket being launched as we waited for the final countdown.

Apparently I was ready for it when the whistle blew, because for the first time all season (and quite possibly only my 2nd hole shot ever at an Elite race) I was still on the front row as we all clipped in and motored off, and I’m pretty sure my front wheel was the first to hit the timing loop.  No joke – I was out in front!  That never happens.

Not quite in the lead, but I’m still IN IT!  Thanks to Kenneth Hill for the shot!

I lost the lead before the playground sand, and went back a few spots from there, though in my defense – it could’ve been partially due to file tread tires, which I specifically chose to run despite Justin’s offer to switch out my Trigger front tire for his Tracer.  No, thanks!

In the lead in the shot (and the photographer WAS on that side – not a good defense!) is Hungarian National Champ Barbara Benko.  I’d never raced her before, and had no idea who it was at the start, but Larry quickly filled in the gaps as I raced around Verdugo Park.

Crossing the timing loop I took the lead and led out the 21~ strong women’s field down the grass straight, around a sweeping right, through a dog leg around a tree and into the barriers.  I managed to not lose the lead through there, around a bit of turns, another long grass straight away, off a curb and onto a slight asphalt descent over speed bumps (yowzers!) and onto the grass.  We were speeding along, probably 5-6 of us at least, and eventually we made a few sweeping turns, barreled down a grass straight and hit the uber tight turn onto the sand and somewhere I lost my lead and wound up 4th wheel behind a charging Barbara, with Christina and Alexis in her wake.

All spread out – me with Barbara tucked in behind, Dot Wong on the very left, Christina on the right, I think a Cynergy racer in the middle, and Amanda far right? FTIL (Faster than it looks!)

Barbara leads me, Christina, and Alexis into the sand, with I think Jenna Jammer 5th

Gettin’ squirrely!  By the time we hit the transition to grass Christina and Alexis had both successfully negotiated their ways around me!  It might look like we were elbowing, but I don’t think we were?

I managed to pass Alexis on the next grassy straight, only to lose the spot again on the stair/dirt run up #1, where she here successfully passes me back.

I did wind up passing again on the short climb after this and made it stick just enough to chase in 3rd after Christina and leading Barbara.

I had been trying to take a few artsy landscape photos in the race before Justin’s, and had no idea he’d be taking shots during my race, so I never checked the camera settings.  I’d left the camera on a pretty high f-stop aperture (f/20 according to the EXIF), in aperture priority (shutter priority is where it’s at for bike races), so while Justin didn’t get a ton of clear and crisp action shots, he did get some sweet mood shots that I think really lend themselves to the ACTION and flow/feel of bike racing.  I can almost feel the wind from the women speeding by on their bikes, hear the chains grabbing teeth on the crankset and cogs as they speed around the drivetrain, the whirring of the hubs, and the slight sweeping of the soft dirt as the rubber tires coast along it…

ZoooooooooooooooooM

I’m tactically not a smart cyclocross racer.  It isn’t my strong suit (neither is anything off my bike, or cornering, really.  I’m fairly content with straight flat things, or fire roads that aren’t too steep).  But, I was 3rd wheel so I sat in with Barbara towing CPT and I around the last 1/2 of the course. The pace was almost benign.  Barbara definitely didn’t seem to be sitting up, but we weren’t feverishly chasing around the course out of breath.  I assumed she didn’t want to pull us around the entire race.  So, naturally, as we wound up back at start/finish I saw an opportunity, and never one to NOT make a stupid attack move, I attempted to shoot the gap between Christina and Barbara and a turn on the course.  Whether Barbara knew I was making a move or not, I have no idea, but if it had been a UCI cross race I would’ve been body checked into the course tape and rebar, and I wasn’t.  So, either she didn’t know I was there, or she’s a mountain bike racer (what?  Just sayin’.).  I attacked and for the entire grass straight, sweeping right turn, and little jog leg to the barriers I just WENT.  I did what I could over the barriers and went again on the next straight when I heard Justin yell that they were broken off and to keep going.

Christina and Barbara chasing in haste on lap 2

Not having raced Barbara before, and knowing that plenty of women are strong and come back in races, I kept hammering.  Justin encouraged me to ride smart and ride smooth, and while in some races I’ve worked on some of my weaknesses while in front, this race I just charged everywhere I could.  Loving the course!

Zoom-Zoom!  Can you hear the leaves rustling as I speed by?

Had no idea what my gap was, but I knew after lap 4 it was slightly growing. Still afraid to let up, I kept on it, and enjoyed taking the District Champs for SCNCA for 2011.

Had a good cool down spin with Christina post-race, and we made it back in time for a FULL podium of the top-8 women.

HUGE thanks to Velo Pasadena and Montrose Bike Shop for matching the women’s prize purse to top-8 same as the men.  Awesome! (L-R: Hannah Rae Finnchamp, Amanda Schaper, Alexis Ryan, Christina Probert-Turner, Allison Mann, Barbara Benko, Julia LaFranchise, Jenna Kowalski)

Was stoked to donn the Bear jersey (despite having a ton of Thanksgiving holiday pie/cake – more on that below)

The winnings!

I had been fairly hesitant a) about mentioning my injured ribs, and b) about racing at all on Sunday.  See, Friday Justin and I had enjoyed a SUPERB autumn day on the trails out at Noble Canyon.  As nice as the day was I was riding just as poorly.  I’ve been having issues clipping OUT of my pedals (complete 180 from last year at this time when I couldn’t CLIP IN – so weird) on my mountain bike lately.  So, .41 miles into a 23 mile trail ride, trying to get up and over a rock I wound up not unclipping in time, not pedaling through it, and getting the open end of my handlebars directly in the right side of my ribs.  It was hurting quite a bit.  Not broken or anything, but enough bruising and discomfort that I wasn’t sleeping, breathing, or moving very easily.

Racing Districts was a game-time decision, though I knew when I woke up Sunday I’d be on the line no matter what.  I’m glad I raced.  While I couldn’t feel the pain from my ribs (I had hurt the left side 2 weeks prior in Utah when I biffed it hitting a rock and sending myself hurtling to the ground before I knew I was crashing at all) during the race, I sure felt it afterwards!

OK, enough back and forth.  Let’s get to the stuffing – Thanksgiving!

Stephanie cooked up an amazing paleo feast and invited Justin and I head to down for the evening.  Can’t say no to Steph’s magical food abilities!

Justin and I got up early for a holiday to head out for a 3 hour tour before heading south for the big feast.  Rain was in the forecast, so I loaded up on gear and out we went.

Go EAST, child

AMAZING fall day, even if it was crisp and cool out…

About 45 minutes in we were changing up the route so we weren’t late for dinner, but couldn’t really come to a good consensus of what to do. We both wanted to climb Couser, but making a loop of it would likely be too long. Ideal? Let’s climb and descend it. #winning

Complete paleo feast

After an amazing dinner, Stephanie brought out the paleo desserts!

Sweet Potato Pie and Pumpkin Gingerbread Cake, with whipped coconut milk frosting (a dash or so of Maple Syrup)

Ahmaaaaazing.  She was lucky she had any leftovers at all!

We slept in a bit Friday morning, which felt more like Sunday than Friday, and eventually, despite being warned and worrying mightily about cold temps in the local mountains, headed out to Pine Valley for some Noble Canyon singletrack.

Yes, it was November 25 and Justin was wearing a short sleeve jersey, bib shorts, and Olefin socks. No base layers, no wool, and half finger gloves. #winning

Hello, chunk

Long after I’d hit the deck a few times and was riding like I’d never been on a mountain bike or trail before… I may have ridden this trail better my first time ever out there, after only having had a mountain bike for 4 months.

Justin needed new tubular glue, and since there was no way we’d make it to Rock N’ Road before closing, we stopped in at local San Diego hot spot Velo Hangar to see Gordon and enjoy an espresso. Thanks for the hospitality!

Sunset as we drove north east to get home Friday evening

And Sunday, well… you heard that part already!

So, 2011 may in some regards be similar to 2010, but at the same time they seem world’s apart.  Thus, in my philosophical mind-wanderings I couldn’t help but want to repeat history from 2010, all the while realizing, yet again, that you can’t re-create the past. Even if the outcome is the same, or similar, or what you were hoping for, or what you imagined, it’s going to be different, and new and another page in your own personal history book. It isn’t the same page, and it may not be the same chapter, even if we think it is, or feel like it is, or could be.

Every day is another page in our “history” and every day we write the story; for good, bad, indifferent, the minutes tick by, the sand ticks down the hourglass, and days go by, one after the other. Sometimes we can flip through them like pages in a friendly paperback book, smelling wonderfully of printed paper and ink and glue.

What one year brings, another can take or give away. 2010 was a good year for me, and bad for Justin. 2011 was a good year for Justin, and a bad one for me. Neither of us know what 2012 will bring, but we dream we can that we both have a healthy and happy year, strong riding, and fun times.

I TOLD YOU I took that picture!