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erikaangel7
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| Joined: | Wed Jan 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Hayden, Idaho |
| Posts: | 41 |
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Posted: Wed Sep 23rd, 2009 03:42 am |
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This was my third year racing this super fun early season race in Seattle. It is always the first cross race of the year, and always a big party. Of course the barriers are right in front of the beer gardens, and by the time the elites race at night, it is under the lights in the velodrome. Two years ago I came in 4 in the category 3/4s. Last year I finished 3rd in the 3/4s. This year they added a master's category. Since this is what I plan to race at nationals, I signed up for masters and hoped for the best.
The drive to Seattle Saturday morning was nervewracking to say the least. I was a mess because I just wasn't sure where my fitness would be after focusing on endurance racing all summer.
Registration is always a cluster at this race. (Note to self--send organizers an e-mail) For some reason, they don't open up registration until about 1:15 for a 2:15 race! They only have a couple people working registration, so the line is stupid long. We have been burned by this in previous years. This time, after getting the ok from someone in charge, I had my husband stand in line to pick up my number so I could get a decent warm-up. He was heckled and yelled at by other women upset that they didn't have a man to stand in line for them. Hmmmm... I wonder why???
Anyway...Staging went well. I had a 2nd row start with a total of about 100 women starting--yikes!!! The gun went off and I went into the first corner in about 8th place. By the middle of the first lap, I was in 2nd place. For the remainder of the race, it was just one other racer and me with a pretty big gap on the rest of the field. It was a little intimidating listening to the announcers analyze everything about our racing styles and backgrounds as we continued our laps around the course. Hearing the Velo Bella name throughout the race was awesome!!! I learned (throught the announcers) that I was racing against an elite road racer, so I knew I could not leave this race up to the sprint. So...about three turns before the finish straight, I broke away and stayed away!!! It was a great feeling to work so hard and be rewarded for it.
On the podium, we received bags full of goodies. Apparently one of their sponsors was a cooking store, so my goody bag included Turkey Jerkey and cool collapsable measuring cups--awesome!
Here is a link for the podium pic:
http://www.dmroth.com/xcross_09/starcrossed09/women/photos/photo40.html
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angiekoppacelli
VB Team Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 23rd, 2009 06:20 am |
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Great job Erika! Super inspiring! Turkey Jerkey doesnt sound too bad for loot!
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Miss Mary
VB Team Member
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Posted: Thu Sep 24th, 2009 08:23 pm |
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now that's my kind of sponsor!!
congrats!
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beth h
VB Team Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Portland, Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 247 |
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Posted: Fri Sep 25th, 2009 03:43 pm |
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Next year, if Starcrossed doesn't conflict with High Holidays, I will HAVE to get myself up there. I keep hearing it's insane. And yeah, I could be into a cooking-oriented goody bag...
NICELY done, Erika! Congrats!
Coming down for Cross Crusade? --BH
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erikaangel7
VB Team Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 3rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Hayden, Idaho |
| Posts: | 41 |
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Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 03:02 am |
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Hi Beth!
Unfortunately, I don't think I will be down for cross crusade. We have our own series on the eastern side of Washington and it's tough for me to travel a lot during the school year. I am planning to be in Bend for nationals, but I think I read that you have a scheduling conflict then.
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beth h
VB Team Member
| Joined: | Wed Dec 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Portland, Oregon USA |
| Posts: | 247 |
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Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 02:59 pm |
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Yeah. Maybe come down a week early for USGP out at PIR, which promises epic weather and fun times. --B
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