Battle in Seattle 2008
Long weekend. We had some great racing and some bad crashes. My team did not do fabulously, but that's okay. We don't want to be too cocky as we head to Regionals next month in Portland. I raced better than I expected, given the allergies. Only really died in one race, though the hacking and coughing was (still is) impressive.
Friday
This was a long day. The schedule started at 5:30am and we all cleared out 12 hours later. I had 4 races.
Senior 4 Mix: 2 heats for this and we figured we would not get out of the heat. Wrong. I was 2 feet away from being lapped (and therefore out of the heat), when someone from another team got them DQ'd. She forgot that we were only doing half distance for the heat and went back to the box after her 5 laps. Into the final we go. This race was hard because it seemed every corner I was getting passed, which means every corner I had to take wide. According to Dean I nearly kicked a few people because I wasn't getting called over by the refs.
The final was insane. There were a ton of pros and several other people who should/will be pros. We got called when Chrisi miscounted and rolled out than back into the box. We didn't get called out until I was 3 laps into my 2nd set, but that's how it goes. We raced hard and did our best, which is really the best we could expect.
Senior 4 Lady: Another race with some very fast teams. A "hybrid" team with girls from California and Idaho made all of us work much hard. I was proud of Dani, who had to finish her last set all alone and kept at it until she was done.
Classic 1000m: I raced surprisingly competently in this one, coming in 3rd behind Serena and Jillian. I was in the pack the whole time. Probably should not have sat back as long as I did, but I was trying to conserve limited energy. Best complement was from Mark "I saw you nearly give up 3 times and you didn't!".
Saturday
Individuals today. Not as long, but I was toasted afterwards.
Classic 500m: Ahh my favorite race. Right before we went, 5 out of 6 Master men hit the ground. Nasty to watch and made all of us a little twitchy. Raced well, nearly got Serena and took 3rd again.
Classic 1500m: I skated backwards this time. My lungs shut down at lap 5 and I barely finished. Ami ran a fast race, thinking we were all right behind her. Nothing like being schooled by a Grand Veteran. Dead last, but I did finish.
All in all a good meet. I saw some friends, got some new outdoor wheels at a discount, and picked up a bunch of gossip. I know what I have to work on headed into Regionals and then Nationals in July.
Before all that fun, we have Outdoor qualifying clinic this weekend. For once, I am praying for clear weather. Josh and Linda Wood are great coaches and I really want to see what they can teach me about outdoor, which I am not comfortable with.
After this weekend, I can breathe, if only a little, maybe remember what my friends and family that don't skate look like.
Friday
This was a long day. The schedule started at 5:30am and we all cleared out 12 hours later. I had 4 races.
Senior 4 Mix: 2 heats for this and we figured we would not get out of the heat. Wrong. I was 2 feet away from being lapped (and therefore out of the heat), when someone from another team got them DQ'd. She forgot that we were only doing half distance for the heat and went back to the box after her 5 laps. Into the final we go. This race was hard because it seemed every corner I was getting passed, which means every corner I had to take wide. According to Dean I nearly kicked a few people because I wasn't getting called over by the refs.
The final was insane. There were a ton of pros and several other people who should/will be pros. We got called when Chrisi miscounted and rolled out than back into the box. We didn't get called out until I was 3 laps into my 2nd set, but that's how it goes. We raced hard and did our best, which is really the best we could expect.
Senior 4 Lady: Another race with some very fast teams. A "hybrid" team with girls from California and Idaho made all of us work much hard. I was proud of Dani, who had to finish her last set all alone and kept at it until she was done.
Classic 1000m: I raced surprisingly competently in this one, coming in 3rd behind Serena and Jillian. I was in the pack the whole time. Probably should not have sat back as long as I did, but I was trying to conserve limited energy. Best complement was from Mark "I saw you nearly give up 3 times and you didn't!".
Saturday
Individuals today. Not as long, but I was toasted afterwards.
Classic 500m: Ahh my favorite race. Right before we went, 5 out of 6 Master men hit the ground. Nasty to watch and made all of us a little twitchy. Raced well, nearly got Serena and took 3rd again.
Classic 1500m: I skated backwards this time. My lungs shut down at lap 5 and I barely finished. Ami ran a fast race, thinking we were all right behind her. Nothing like being schooled by a Grand Veteran. Dead last, but I did finish.
All in all a good meet. I saw some friends, got some new outdoor wheels at a discount, and picked up a bunch of gossip. I know what I have to work on headed into Regionals and then Nationals in July.
Before all that fun, we have Outdoor qualifying clinic this weekend. For once, I am praying for clear weather. Josh and Linda Wood are great coaches and I really want to see what they can teach me about outdoor, which I am not comfortable with.
After this weekend, I can breathe, if only a little, maybe remember what my friends and family that don't skate look like.