Yet another South Seatac race

Well that hurt like hell.

Searing lungs - check

Inability to take another step up a "runup" - check

Flailing over barriers - check

Blackberry leaves sticking out of shoe 2 out of 3 laps - check

Screaming at girl who fell for no reason at 3mph on the pavement as I rode over her rear wheel and toppled over and lost at least 5 places on last lap - check

Lose sprint at the finish with nothing left in the tank - check

Uncontrollable drooling when I finally stopped - check

So close to puking, but not quite getting there - check

Did I mention searing lung pain - check check

Many lessons learned at South Seatac today. Biggest one is to not assume at the start that you are behind people who will have a good start. You're in control of your own race destiny. Hoards of women surged around me as I tried to get around those I started behind. I spent most of the race passing nincompoops with no bike handling skills and desperately trying to catch those in front of me who did. I still have crap in my lungs and was in crazy amount of pain breathing. Gotta get that figured out.

Had a great time seeing Ali (3rd!!) and Nancy do so well and hearing that Kelly finished unscathed. Our team had a great turnout and as usual, Eddie was a blessing on the stupid runup screaming "JILLYBEEEEEE!!!!!!" from across the infield. I was a little disappointed finishing midpack, but will cut myself a little slack for being on the bench so long and encountering so many wrecks in front of me. It only makes you determined to do so much better the next time!