I can't remember ever getting up as early as I did last Sunday. To my surprise I wasn't tired at all. I was looking forward to racing, although there were some unpleasant surprises. I was told that the course was mostly downhill, but when we pre-rode the course we found out that we had to climb some mean little hills (nothing compared to Mt. Hamilton though). When we drove to the start we got another unpleasant surprise. The start wasn't where we thought it was and we had to climb an extra short but steep hill. The team tried to convince me I would be fine, but when we were standing at the start line I was incredibly nervous.
The plan was to attack early on in the race, but we were not the only ones with that plan. When I saw the first attack on the first hill my gut told me I had to go for it. Being convinced I'm not a climber I thought it would be suicide, but I also knew that if I wouldn't try to bridge my race would be over before it even had started.
I managed to reach the top of the first climb in about 5th position and started my descent. Without even trying hard I caught the girls in front of me and before I knew it I had passed them and had a gap. That was good news, because it meant I could start the second climb at my own pace. Of course the first group reached me pretty quickly and I pushed hard to stay with them until the top of the hill.
My legs were burning, my lungs were hurting and I had slime all over my face, but I was happy I survived the first part of the race. But I also knew the hard part was still to come. When we hit the three mile hill I was expecting an attack. When nobody attacked I was relieved, because I definitely wouldn't have survived a faster pace. I was in a lot of pain. But judging by the faces and sounds of the girls surrounding me I wasn't the only one. I kept telling myself to just make it to the top of one more hill. Apparently it worked. When I reached the top there were only 10 girls left and I was one of them! It gave me such a rush that the last climb was over before I knew it. I reached the top in 3rd place and enjoyed the descent.
About five of us worked together on the rollers to keep the pace high. When we started the last long and steep descent I got really nervous. I didn't mind descending, I love it, but I realized I actually had a shot of winning the State Championship road race. I was in second position when we reached the bottom of the hill. Then someone attacked and I got on her wheel. I stayed on her wheel until another girl attacked 200 meters before the finish line. Unfortunately I wasn't able to catch her and I got 2nd place. Looking back I realize I should have been the one that made the last attack, since I'm usually able to create a gap when I'm sprinting. But since the finish was slightly uphill I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep the gap all the way to the finish line.
Although I didn't win, I'm very happy with my result. I managed to do well in another hilly race, which still sounds surreal to me since I've always been a Criterium racer. Thanks to the team for believing in me and supporting me. You have no idea what that means to me! And thanks to everyone who was there to help us get to the start. I can't believe you were willing to get up that early...
