Waratah Park - My First Race
Posted: 28 Oct 2013, 11:03
If you had asked me on New Years Day 2013 if I would ever enter a bike race, it would have been a resounding ‘NO’. But how much has changed in 9 months. A little New Years resolution to ride this year has had far more impact than I would have ever imagined.
I had decided I would like a road bike but really couldn’t justify one until I demonstrated to myself I would ride a new bike. So searched the net for bike clubs in the area and liked the look of Dulwich Hill (and the colour of the jersey). I cleaned the dirt and cobwebs off my old blue bike and joined the Saturday Slowies on what I call my mountain which has actually got a sticker on it staying ‘not suitable for off road purposes’! The bike weighs a ton at about 15kg. Everyone else on the ride had a road bike and after I’d been twice I convinced myself that I really would ride a road bike if I had one.
On Australia Day, I bought a pre-loved road bike. And around April I joined Jess and the ladies/girls on a Saturday afternoon at the track. It was through Jess’ encouragement last week that I found myself in a bike race at Waratah Park in Loftus yesterday.
I was very nervous about entering a race as I have never raced in my life. No swimming, I still can’t swim to this day. And no running either. No chance I’ll ever be a tri-athlete. Just as well since I am privy to ‘the rules’ which state a bike race is never preceded or followed by a run or a swim
After a very anxious week and an upgrade of my silver licence to a Gold racing licence, the big day arrived. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time so a 5am alarm call (that really is too early for a Sunday), quick bite to eat and a warm up ride from home to the track. Is 30km a warm up? The sun shone (I was hoping for torrential rain so I could chicken out), temperature was just right and there not even a hint of a breeze. At 7.30am wearing my DHBC jersey for the very first time I found myself lining up with a dozen other women at the start line. Just to add to my anxiety, I nearly missed the start because I went to take off my thermal and when I got back, everyone was already lined up waiting for me. As I stood there on the line with my bike, I had my first chance to look around at my competition … they look so athletic, so experienced and soooooo formidable.
The race started and we were off for 20 mins plus 2 laps of racing. Being my first race, I didn’t expect to win but I didn’t want to be last either. The first two laps were moderate pace but then it was on. For the first half of the race I had been sitting about midway in the group but after one of the laps I suddenly found I was near then back of the group. Its amazing how quickly the formation changes. I had no intention of being dropped and coming last so on the next lap worked hard to move up to the front half of the group. Race strategy and tactic is something I will need to learn but it was interesting to see the clubs who had several members competing work together as a team.
During the last two laps the pace was really on. The group split and I remained with the front group and crossed the line 6th out of 13 starters.
My secret weapon during the race was my performance enhancing personal cheer squad. I could hear Jess (and Aoife), Dayna and Kylie cheering me on every time I went past. They were fantastic support
How did I feel? It was nerve wracking beforehand but once the race started I no time to think about that, I was too busy trying to hang on
Would I do it again? Yes, I think I will give it another go
What would I do differently? I need a ‘race face’ particularly one that is smiling and looks as if I am finding it easy
Thanks to Jess for her encouragement to race and Jess, Dayna, Kylie and Arthur for your support leading up to the event and on the day. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Jacqui
I had decided I would like a road bike but really couldn’t justify one until I demonstrated to myself I would ride a new bike. So searched the net for bike clubs in the area and liked the look of Dulwich Hill (and the colour of the jersey). I cleaned the dirt and cobwebs off my old blue bike and joined the Saturday Slowies on what I call my mountain which has actually got a sticker on it staying ‘not suitable for off road purposes’! The bike weighs a ton at about 15kg. Everyone else on the ride had a road bike and after I’d been twice I convinced myself that I really would ride a road bike if I had one.
On Australia Day, I bought a pre-loved road bike. And around April I joined Jess and the ladies/girls on a Saturday afternoon at the track. It was through Jess’ encouragement last week that I found myself in a bike race at Waratah Park in Loftus yesterday.
I was very nervous about entering a race as I have never raced in my life. No swimming, I still can’t swim to this day. And no running either. No chance I’ll ever be a tri-athlete. Just as well since I am privy to ‘the rules’ which state a bike race is never preceded or followed by a run or a swim
After a very anxious week and an upgrade of my silver licence to a Gold racing licence, the big day arrived. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time so a 5am alarm call (that really is too early for a Sunday), quick bite to eat and a warm up ride from home to the track. Is 30km a warm up? The sun shone (I was hoping for torrential rain so I could chicken out), temperature was just right and there not even a hint of a breeze. At 7.30am wearing my DHBC jersey for the very first time I found myself lining up with a dozen other women at the start line. Just to add to my anxiety, I nearly missed the start because I went to take off my thermal and when I got back, everyone was already lined up waiting for me. As I stood there on the line with my bike, I had my first chance to look around at my competition … they look so athletic, so experienced and soooooo formidable.
The race started and we were off for 20 mins plus 2 laps of racing. Being my first race, I didn’t expect to win but I didn’t want to be last either. The first two laps were moderate pace but then it was on. For the first half of the race I had been sitting about midway in the group but after one of the laps I suddenly found I was near then back of the group. Its amazing how quickly the formation changes. I had no intention of being dropped and coming last so on the next lap worked hard to move up to the front half of the group. Race strategy and tactic is something I will need to learn but it was interesting to see the clubs who had several members competing work together as a team.
During the last two laps the pace was really on. The group split and I remained with the front group and crossed the line 6th out of 13 starters.
My secret weapon during the race was my performance enhancing personal cheer squad. I could hear Jess (and Aoife), Dayna and Kylie cheering me on every time I went past. They were fantastic support
How did I feel? It was nerve wracking beforehand but once the race started I no time to think about that, I was too busy trying to hang on
Would I do it again? Yes, I think I will give it another go
What would I do differently? I need a ‘race face’ particularly one that is smiling and looks as if I am finding it easy
Thanks to Jess for her encouragement to race and Jess, Dayna, Kylie and Arthur for your support leading up to the event and on the day. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Jacqui