Frisco and New Belgium Cross

So last weekend I drove to Frisco, Colorado by myself to do the first Frisco race of the series. I thought I I was feeling good. My legs where but my lungs were not. I warmed up for a little over an hour. The weather was windy and mid 40's. Slightly on the colder side. I again got a call up for the front row which was nice.

The starting line was on a paved road. we instantly hit a climb that gradually increased for over 500 yards. It then took a hard left down another paved road which spit you out into a hard right which was a dirt road. Followed by a technical s-shaped downhill. It continued to snake around as single track. About 500 yards before the finish line there was a huge run-up. it was loose, steep and long.

I sat top 10 for the first lap and started to head in the opposite direction. My chest started to tighten, loss of breath, coughing. I wasn't sure what was going on. Once the sharp pain in my chest started I sat up. I couldn't just stop because it made it hurt worse so I soft pedaled a couple of laps before pulling myself. It was extremely frustrating. My legs were there but without the lungs there isn't anything you can do.

This evening was the New Belgium Cross series opener. I wasn't sure how it was going to go. I wasn't feeling good the past two weekends and had only ridden easy the following two weeks. I figure its only $5. So, the start was crazy. It was a mass start with everyone lined up in one row. I missed my pedal and then started to spin-out. Overall really bad start for me. I hit the sand pit top ten which was my goal. from there I kept my pace steady. I didn't push above LT or even at LT for the fear that I was going to start coughing. Majority of the race I just sat around 5th place just riding my own race. I wasn't worried about what place I got. Basically, just wanted to see how my lungs were going to react. I finished I believe 5th.

New Belgium puts on good practice races that are fun yet competitive. This weekend I will be headed to Boulder, Colorado to race the 2nd of the Boulder series. Hopefully things go better. For now enjoy, be safe and ride lots.

J.