The "B" race was 3/4's, and masters 35+ and 45+. The course was nearly identical to last year, but run in the opposite direction, and lengthened slightly. Compared to other 'cross races I have done this one is pretty technical. Held on limited real estate, it serpentines around a lot to get some distance. Most of it is on grass, with about a 100 meter stretch of rough pavement, and two pieces of gravel road (both in turns). There are no hills or run-ups, but there is hardly a flat piece of land there. You're either sloping up or down, or riding along an incline. There are multiple 180º turns, and the ground is pretty bumpy, so getting speed on the declining sections is hard. There is a lot of accelerating. Imagine a 20 turn crit. Last year's race was completely in the rain, but today we had nothing more than spongy turf and a little mud in the heavily trodden sections. It was sunny, and temps were perfect.
My non-racing fitnes, coupled with a lite cold, quickly relegated me to the 2nd half of the large field (I think close to 30), but from there I was similarly matched, and just continued to trade placings a few times through seven laps. A few spills and DNF's must have helped me squeak up a few ticks. I didn't miff any of the barriers, and the legs actually felt better as the race unfolded. Maybe some of my longer road miles have helped. One particular rider (I won't name the team)had been leap-frogging with me most of the race. I thought he finally shed me by the 5th lap, but I somehow caught him just at the end of the 6th, and lost him for good. I know after the first third of the bell lap I had 45+ seconds on him, and I never saw him again until I crossed the line and there he was just in front of me. Hmmmmm.......there were two other riders working together trying to reel me in, but I managed to hold them off, even widening the gap a little.
I managed a 5th amongst the 35+ masters, but I'd guess the bottom third overall in the B's.
JMS
