Not my day.

Some days are just better than others. I have felt good in my last couple of races, this was not so much the case in the 2nd Utah State Championship Series race held at Round Valley this weekend.
I started questioning things off the start. We took off right behind the Pro Men. My heart rate hit a mere 167 and my legs were already screaming. This is not a good sign for me physiologically. I was able to push through it and caught up to KB.
AC and ET had a bit of a gap, but they were still in sight. As we were descending, a tree jumped out in front of me--or maybe I overshot a corner. As I started to pedal I realized the tree had scared the chain right off of my bike into the cranks. So I had to dismount and put it back on. I lost a little time, but still felt there was a chance.
I again started to close in on KB. Lots of Expert guys were coming up on me now and wanting to pass. I tried to find a spot to yield the trail quickly thus to not negatively impact their races. At one time, I heard a guy behind me on another climby section. I yielded the trail but he declined. So I told him to let me know.
I was surprised when I did not hear a request  for a bit. Then I hear a guy say there is a train of eight guys waiting. Ugh! Sorry! So, of course, I get out of the way soft pedaling for a bit as they pass. I feel terrible! Really, sorry guys. I would have moved sooner if I would have known.
About half way through my second lap I have KB in my sights, again. I think I am closing in and then it happens.KB must have started to feel better but I just lost it...motivation...the drive to push...everything.  My bike starts to complain about having a dry chain and so it is not shifting well. I ask for lube as I come through the feed zones. No one, but Brandon acknowledges my request and he does not have anything. (Or so he says.) :)
My last lap was funny. I was okay to be riding my bike because the course was just fun. I was smiling, but I only had faint surges of "racing". Oh, well. Another 4th place. I seem to be collecting them this year.
Congrats to AC on the win. It was great to see you. Way to hold on ET through the pain. And KB nice comeback.  
After the race, my body (i.e. gut) decided it hated me. It was a long trip home. I have got to get this figured out.

Frenemies?

I thought so, but looking at the actual definition--a "friend" who really doesn't like you, nor you like she, yet you are drawn together by some sick dramatic bond--it definitely does NOT fit.
Maybe "fretitors"--friends but competitors. Anyway, a major reason why I enjoy ICUP races even though they always seem to humble me.

Sherwood Hills

Pre-race focus?

 I have always like Sherwood Hills. It goes back to when I raced Sport. This was the first race I felt I did well at. That day, I also took 4th, but the field was bigger. It is a shorter lap so we did four. I was really nervous about counting that high during the race. Funny, huh? I several times had to consciously figure out what lap I was doing. I attribute part of that to the funky start loop. None the less, I did do it correctly.
It seemed as though everyone felt pretty good. ET went from complete frustration the week before to putting her stamp on this week's race. I did not realize she had passed SK as both of them disappeared after the first lap.

Following Emma off the start loop

KB was not feeling so good coming into the race. She stayed behind me for most of the first lap. I struggled cornering and felt thrashed by the trail. After we finished the winding portions she came around me--likely dumb founded by my lack of ability. She invited me to go with her but I had been pinned at that point. She put a gap on me but I could see her most of the race.
At this point I was in 5th. KB eventually got around EG. I tried to stay focused and push. As I was finishing my 3rd lap, I tried to decide if I should come around EG now or wait. She was descending better than me--I seriously could not find my flow--but I felt like I was climbing faster at this point. Do I accelerate and try to gap her or sit behind and try to get her later? I decided to do it. As we approached the feed zone, I jumped out of the saddle and pushed. I got by with a little room. I kept the intensity up and try to be smooth going down hill. I kept looking for her. I was afraid she would come back. I was able to hold her off. I was off the podium but put in a great effort to the end.
And is it me or does that course have very little recovery.
It was another good day on the bike.
 

Chris

 

KC, Sarah, Erica, Kelsey, Emma

Pro Men podium

Getting a tutorial on hand ups--Thanks for the help

A Decent Deer Valley

 I felt pretty good. On the start line, I was not sure how I was going to feel. My warm-up did not feel great but it was not difficult either. The competition was tough per the usual. ET mentioned before the race that a new fast girl moved into Park City. Jokingly, she said expressed her dissatisfaction with faster people moving into the area. I reminded her that she is fast and while technically lives in Vegas spends her summers here just to race. I found her perspective funny given the circumstances. I have to agree though, it does seem as though faster girls are continuing to enter the I. Cup.

So the usual suspects were there and then some on the start line. I was nervous. In fact, I leaned over to KB on the start and stated that I was not feeling so good. Luckily it came together for me.
Off the start we were all together. We tried to find our places on the climb. ET had bike issues and fell back. I knew it was only a matter of time before she would return to the group. The duo from Ogden (O-town to the cool kids) were just in front of me. I followed KB on the first lap. She was riding steady but not pushing as hard as I felt I could. I came around her as we started the second lap and eventually caught SK. I was able to get by her for a bit, but then bobbled a switch back. We rode together to the start of our final lap.
On the third lap we started the single track with an Expert Male between us. As we finished the first descent I realized that I focused on the guy and lost SK. I chased and got close but could not close in on her. Son of a...!
Oh, well. I felt good and had a fun race finishing 4th. (First and 2nd were off the front from the start.)
A couple of items. First the guy I tried to pass but ended up running into a tree while chasing down SK on my final lap. I apologize if I misunderstood you. I thought you were yielding the trail. None the less, I would like to apologize for the miscommunication and/or if I disrupted your race.
And a note to self: It is OK to be more aggressive. If you want to pass, simply say as much. That is all.