Bike

• 40m
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Bike is still dirty from the race - post-lake rinse but chucked some Pedro's SynLube on the chain and she is still shifting smoothly - gotta love the SRAM Force. Easy 40 mins around Shippan Pt. Quads are a little tired but in general it's not the cycling muscles that are sore. It's the outer lower legs from all the off camber mud running. Legs feel better for the spin. maybe a gentle 5k tomorrow and harder bike seesion - my simulo loop maybe - Thursday before Saturday's race.

• Health data: Sleep: 4 Hours slept: 8

Bike #1

• 25m
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Warm up. Yesterday I managed to find some embrocation finally. Sportsbalm Red, mild. I put it on my legs for w/u and then put tights on top as the temps are in the 40s. I w/u with some hard efforts, hit the car for a drink and some more embrocation and head tothe start - there was heavy rain over night and the course is even worse (if that's possible to imagine). There will be way more running today.

Bike #2

• 30m 57s
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USGP of CX, women's 3/4s. Today I got gridded in the first line due to some no-shows, so I plopped down next to Libby White, may as well be next to the fastest cat 3/4 out there. I am in the 50T ready for the blast up the asphalt. Launch and hit the grass in 2nd!! The announced only 2 laps today which worries me as I will have less chanc eto gap the women. Plan is to anticipate running and run alot carrying hte bike. Be aggressive on the flyover as I gapped people there yesterday and also to ride hard when the ground is firm and rideable. I drop to 3rd through the first big mud (Pipes has passed me). I am running alot - easily 300-350 yds a one time up to the flyunder, doen past the pits, up past the pits to the barriers but I am doing ok and gaining on folks ahead of me (Pipes and Jrs). I run the sand but I think it's rideable and come thru the line with 1 to go in 3rd. I get past Pipes going into the sand and I ride it. She passes me back. On the far side of hte course I look back - i never normally do this. I see no one so vow to ride hard and clean with no mistakes. On to the drag to teh flyunder, I am off and running early and pass Pipes. Back round the pits I can look across and see her with a C3-Sollay girl right behind. Hmmm, that makes the math tricky but I figure c3 girl may get me but I have Pipes. I owrk hard thru the barriers and back round to the flyover. I gun the flyover and ride super hard and finish 2nd!! I am so psyched.

Bike #3

• 15m
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Down to the lake again to wash the bike and me. Abbreviated warm down due to not wanting to miss the awards ceremony - this race has a real podium - what a kick to get to go up there at a race organised by a godd, good friend?

Bike #1

• 30m
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Warm up for USGP of CX, West Windsor, Women's 3/4. Some hard efforts. It is gonna be muddeeeeee.

Bike #2

• 48m 09s
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USGP of CX, Women's 3/4s. Race delayed 30 mins due to course repairs. 41 reg'd, 5 no shows. I see one woman at the start on a rd bike with a cx rear tire, one woman on the front has a shiny new Specialized, it is clearly her first cx race, she has flat pedals and running shoes. I feel bad for her because this course is going to be horrible even for the experienced racers.
I get gridded in the 2nd row - early reg pays off and I fly up the 250 yds asphalt start road changing down the block and hit the grass in 3rd! Holy shit! Lots of mud, lots of running, I am gapping people on the flyover, getting passed, passing back. I am ahead of a lot of women that normally beat me due to the muddy conditions. I have figured out that if I hug the course tape there is a rideable 4-6" of firmer ground at the edge. Eventually some other women figure out my line and follow me. I end up 6th/36 starters. I beat Schumacher and Galatro for the first time. Psyched. Our 30 minute race takes me 48 minutes (3 laps).

Bike #3

• 20m
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Warm down. Took the bike to the lake to wash it, washed my legs, arms, face and shoes. Then easy 20 min w/d. Rain is forecast for tonight, tomorrow is going to be gnarly.