Survived my first crit! PIPs

[katinthehat]

So I raced my first crit last night and have mercy y'all.  Just have mercy.

At this crit, they do things a bit differently for the women.  It's good, it just makes it harder and IMO, more intimidating for beginners.  You race with the cat 3/4 men.  Which is good because in theory, they're the better bike handlers than racing with the 4/5s and/or juniors.  But it's bad because they're fast and they race for 50 minutes.  So my husband raced the 4/5s and raced for 30 minutes.  I raced for 50.  Yikes.

Anyway, it was a field of about 10 women and we started 30 seconds behind the guys.  I couldn't get clipped in for half of the first lap so I was screwed from the get go.  I got lapped several times but each time, I was able to jump on the back of the group and stay with them for a few laps before getting dropped again.

It was a hella good workout though - something I could have never done on my own because you just can't push that hard by yourself.  And it was fun getting to watch Josh race then handing him the baby and heading off to my race.

My most favorite picture ever (now at least)



And just as an aside, it is so hard to be overweight and on a bike.  Like at a running race, there's always the middle aged overweight woman bringing up the end and being cheered because it's her first 5K and dammit, she's done it.  It's so much more body conscious in cycling.  From the spandex and lycra to the skinny tires, it's just all about being fast and light.  And I am so not fast and light.



This is me.  Not fast and light (although the blur looks pretty cool



But this is why we do what we do, right?

Marion: Mama, did you win?
Me: Nope
Marion: Did you come in last?
Me: Yes I did.
Marion: I'm sorry mama, I feel bad for you.
Me: Why do you feel bad for me?
Marion: Because you were last.
Me: But you know what, I did the best I could and I had a lot of fun doing it.
Marion: Well that's all that matters, right?
Me: Right.

So when I see way less than flattering (but truth telling) pictures of myself on my bike, it's hard to love it.  It's hard to love myself.  But I still have three more races this week and I'll keep on doing it.  And hopefully not always look this way but even if I do, I hope I'll still always love it.



And I love this picture just because for a second it looks like I'm leading the men

[al320]

Kick ass, gf!

Also, what your daughter said is ADORABLE.

[sadlebred]

Crits are HARD! Way to hang in there and finish. Keep getting on the back each time. Every lap, try to go 10 feet further. It comes. Crit training is different than a lot of other cycling training; it's very close to cyclocross training. RIDE HARD. Recover for a few seconds. SPRINT. RIDE HARD. GO AROUND THE CORNER SPRINT! Sit up for 20 seconds. Wash, rinse, and repeat.

You look GREAT out there!!!!

[joenali]

I love this! Congrats! You look great on they bike!

[chw57]

Wow, you are impressive! I'm totally intimidated by anything like that!

[G22]

Way to go! I think you look badass on your bike!

[ebeth]

Big congrats! Admittedly I don't really understand what happened, but I will say it sounds intimidating and I prob would have not even made it to the start line to begin with.

Also, I really love blur picture! It makes you look really bad ass and fast.

[emilyj]

This is so impressive! Crits scare the crap out of me. I love all of the pictures - you look bad ass!

[taratru]

I have no idea what a crit is, but I do know you're beautiful and talented and strong. I only see that in these pictures.

[kams]

I'm rocking W and crying over your conversation.

You are teaching your kids such invaluable lessons. You're an amazing mom. Cycling, running, cross fitting, at our happy weight, race weight, or not happy weight - our kids see no difference, they are just proud.

[clseale]

Add me to the "you did a what, where now???" camp, but I love everything about this post. You're awesome, the pictures are fantastic, and that conversation with M is the best! Congrats on getting back out there!

[fuckyourcouch]

Apr 30, 2015 21:23:45 GMT -5 taratru said:

I have no idea what a crit is, but I do know you're beautiful and talented and strong. I only see that in these pictures.

This!
you are fantastic and strong and awesome. Keep it up!

[juliabug]

That looks incredibly hard! Love the pictures, you look strong!

[shauni27]

Wow! Those pictures are great, you look so strong and competent. I know it is hard to feel overweight in a "club" that is really thin folks, but you are strong and when I look at those pictures I just see a strong woman out there kicking ass, last place or not. You should be really proud!

That last picture of you leading the men is my favorite. I would frame that shit in a hot second.

[Susie]

This is so awesome, and so are you. You get on with your bad self. I totally understand and hear what you are saying, but know that the rest of us see something different in these photos. You are being a fantastic role model, the best there could be for your girls -- on fitness, on body image and acceptance, and on what's important.

[sweetiesparkles]

You look so strong! What an amazing image you give to your children! I think you are inspirational.

[gt7301b]

Damn, Go on with your badass self. I am pretty sure I'd be scared to just make it to the starting line.

[2doxies]

You look like a complete bad ass! This cycling world is so intimidating to me; awesome job pushing yourself. Your kids are the absolute cutest!

[finallykrisb]

You're so awesome.

[hannahb]

I keep reading this as crips. It's been a rough week in baltimore
Awesome job! I'm not really sure what it is either but anything on a bike is scary!

[labbie]

You are a badass, and those photos are awesome. I love what your daughter said and how wonderful that they get to watch you in action. Way to go!

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[cole]

You are so awesome! I adore the picture of your H and LO cheering you on

[runblondie26]

Congrats katinthehat! You have the sweetest support team too.

[libbygrl109]

I have no clue what a crit is, but you are so amazing and strong. I love how you are empowering your girls by leading by example. Those pictures are fantastic - you look so powerful, despite what you think right now.

[lb2006]

you look great!!!! And i love that first pic too

[Deleted]

Awesome work! I agree with the other ladies - I just see a strong confident woman teaching her kids a great lesson and having a lot of fun. Who cares that you came in last. You beat everyone that never even started.

[trigal]

Nice job! Crits are no joke!