Paris-Ancaster

What a day for Paris-Ancaster! I don't think I've ever dealt with weather like this for such a long race before - I expect it for late-season cross, but it's only 40min, which makes it somehow more manageable.

First, many, many thanks must be given to my awesome teammate Mari, who came to Ancaster very early on Sunday, specifically to deliver me and the Boy to the start in Paris with our bikes (we registered a bit too late for the pre-race bus). So Mari basically bailed us out, and she brought cute little doggies with her!

The start was surprisingly good - I felt like I was going backwards a bit as we headed up the road, but I got my head screwed on and started moving up before we hit the rail trail. I managed to avoid getting tangled in a crash when someone two wheels ahead suddenly hit the deck and took out the guy in front of me. I steered into the ditch and managed to get around unscathed. There were times in the tailwind that I worried that I was overdressed for the day.

The rest of the race was pretty much a blur. I shuffled between a couple of different groups throughout the race - never really sticking with one for long as I lost a few spots in one section, or tried to bridge up to the next group on another. As a result, I spent far longer on my own than I should have - I really need to work on being patient and working with a group. Well, except for that small group of mountain bikers who still didn't pull through when I was basically sitting up and riding in the ditch! I was really cursing the decision to go with file treads on some of the muddier sections. Later in the race, I was getting better at staying with other riders, even if I had to suffer somewhat in order to do so - something that paid off greatly with the massive crosswinds. Still, with primarily tail winds, I was feeling good and pleased with how I was doing for time.


And then in started to snow, and I was so glad I was wearing the layers I had! I had to take off my glasses, since they were fogging up really badly, but it kind of left me riding somewhat blind, as I tried to keep the dry little snow flakes from getting in my eyes. Rapid blinking is not recommended during a high speed corner! Towards the end of the race, I started getting some bad cramps in my right calf and left quad - the quad cramps getting particularly painful when I had to remount. I was pretty sure I was going to have to walk part of the final climb - the cramps were so painful. Unfortunately, just like last year, I saw people I knew, and they were cheering for me! It was very motivating to see some friendly faces, and I am pretty sure that's what got me up the hill and over the finish line. As much as I hate finishing on that hill, I far prefer killing myself on a hill at the end of a race, instead of at the beginning of a race... Pelham, I am looking at you!

Post-race details - I got third in my age cat! And a personal best P-A time (by about 50 seconds)! And I did the whole race with my heart rate monitor effing up and it didn't bother me once (you can ask the Boy, this is actually the most amazing thing of all. When my heart rate monitor is not working as it should I get all Hulk-like and Briana smash!). Two issues with the race from my perspective - first, I can't believe the gates were still closed on the rail trail near Jerseyville - not a big deal to scootch around them in a small group, but a potential problem for larger groups, likely travelling a bit quicker. Second, I wish they could move the podium presentations up a bit earlier, reducing the finish-to-podium wait to something under 2.5hrs. Still, all in all, a good day at the races.