Last Night of Track Deelight

I managed to convince my bosses that I couldn't leave for Louisiana tonight because it was the last night of track races of the season. (heeheee...suckers.) So off I went to Marymoor totally charged to race because I knew that for the next 2 weeks my body would be abused in a sedentary way working at the Katrina response. It was all or nothing tonight.

The track posse was all there and I braved sporting Jane's skinsuit for another night. She had tossed it to me on Monday to welcome me to the team. I did the superman thing and changed into the skinsuit in the porta-pottie. I'd never worn one before and when I came out I felt so....exposed. Like a guy wearing lycra shorts for the first time. Some things just aren't meant to POP OUT like that. But when the heads turned the catcalls came out. Whistles, yells, whooping...the whole freakin track turned around to see me in this monkey suit. I tried desperately to hide behind my ReLoad bag, but Gregg managed to attack me and wrestle it away. Calls of "Drop the bag! Drop the bag!". Yeah hahaha very funny. I walked around like a cat with wet paws. Not entirely sure what to do with myself. I wore it all night and eventually got used to it, maybe put an extra swagger in my step.

So I was back in uniform on Wed night and ready to storm. There were about a dozen girls, with 4 of us from the Track Posse. The first race was an 8 lap snowball. Jane and Izzy did well getting the first laps while I hung out in the rear sucking wheels while everyone else tore us around. By the 6th lap the pack had slowed down and I was ready to go. I sped around the leaders and took the 7th lap with a good lead. I looked behind and had no challengers and continued the lead the whole way on the bell lap. Someone yelled that I had a good 100 meters on them. I couldn't believe I had no challengers, but hell....ok by me. I settled back at the finish line and enjoyed my points. First race to me.

Second race was a miss n' out. Our track posse did well blocking the other women across the width of the track. With 3 laps to go, it was me, Izzy, and one Ti girl. Grrrr....we don't like Ti. At the bell lap Izzy took the front position and I took the back. I sucked the Ti girl's wheel and at the 3rd corner came ahead on her outside so she couldn't pass Izzy. In the homestretch I sprinted with Izzy for the finish, but she took the prize. All good with me. Izzy rocks.

Third and last race. A 4x5. Fuck this is going to hurt. Game plan is to let the pack run the race and I'll suck wheels and go ahead for the final block of laps. I swear they weren't turning the numbers on that board. At lap 17 I was convinced we'd already been around 10 times. My legs started feeling all too heavy, all too tight. I knew I still hadn't recovered from my week with Rosemary. For the 2nd sprint I got in front and told Izzy to take my wheel. I pulled her around so she could take the points. Shit that hurt, but hell I had nothing to lose. The final 3 laps I tried to hold a lead, but my legs didn't have it. I got behind some others but in the final stretch I let them have it. Legs toast. Legs hurt. Legs in pain. Legs taking 2 weeks off.

It was a perfect end to the season. I never imagined doing so well. Izzy took first for the night and I took third. Not too shabby racing against women who have raced Cat 4 all spring and summer. I'm ordering my custom steel frame soon and with Grand Wizard Charles' help I will have sweet bling wheels to adorn it. I can't wait for the next 7 months to pass. They'll be filled with mass amounts of friends and bikes and training trips and bike love and cold darks nights of building new toys. I'd like to have the future tomorrow, but I have some days to fill up with memories and experiences first.