Focus Crit

I loved the Focus Crit today...the course was absolutley amazing, perfectly paved, nice wide road, and easy turns...I really enjoyed it.
I went into today's race with absolutely no expectations, I did it at the last minute to race with Trish. We were grouped together and scored together with the cat 3 ladies. So honestly, my goal was to just not get dropped. Today I was given an opportunity by 2 very strong Cat 3 riders who took off and blew themselves up, which left the door wide open for me to suck the wheels of a couple riders trying to chase down Trish (Thanks Trish for making those girls chase you down)and then sling shot around them to catch Debbie, the 2nd place Bicycle Ranch racer. At first, I grabbed her wheel and was gonna just hang on and then I realized, she was spent and had nothing left. I was afraid to pass her cuz she is an experienced Cat 3 rider and I knew she would not pass up the opportunity to jump on my wheel. But I realized quickly that if I stayed behind her, I too would be caught by the pack. So I pulled out from behind her and took off to try to catch 1st place, I was mentally thinking that Debbie was gonna use me to recover and sling shot off of me at the finish, but I was gonna be happy with 2nd place. As we made the last turn we caught the lead girl who had taken off on her own on the last lap...I stood up and put the pedal to the metal, but was expecting to see 2 or 3 riders come flying past me any second. Much to my surprise and delight, I held them off and took 1st place. It was so exciting. That was so cool hearing the announcer say "that was rider # 569 coming across in 1st place for Two Wheel Jones!!"

I have to apologize to my team mates though as I made a comment after the race about working for Debbie. Honestly, it was not my intention or plan to work for Debbie OR to LET her win. I seriously thought she was gonna suck my wheel and then take me at the finish, so I figured when I passed her that basically I was gonna be working for her as she used me to get to the finish. Luckily, she had no legs to contest me. Thank goodness!

What an awesome and amazing day...thanks Trish for making me come race with you today! I'm with you...I love racing crits!!!! It's so much fun.

Kathy Connolly