SC Crit Race Report from Womens P/1/2 Race-Brianne

Brianne's Race Report
Santa Cruz Crit
W1/2/3
5th out of 20-30 women

I haven't raced since 2009, where I did 4 crits after having my son, so I haven't "really raced" since June of 2008, but who's counting? :)
I was quite nervous to say the least, but to my surprise the .9 mile race for 20 laps was much easier than expected. My goal was to finish and stay upright, so I didn't plan on doing a lot of work. The first laps were slower than I what I remember. I sat in the middle of the pack and as the race went on I found myself getting more comfortable so I allowed myself to hang out at the back. At about 10 laps to go I was getting ready to go for a prime, we crested the top of the 'hill' and up ahead I saw two riders. I ask the girl next to me if they were dropped riders and before she could answer she took off to win the prime. If you were there you would have seen me tap my helmet for being so stupid. that is what I get for sitting near the back and not knowing exactly what was happening at the front. So no $10 for me. No breaks or moves got or stayed away. it was quite a local field of women with a couple of girls who were very strong so the race was slower than in past years. With 2 laps to go the Swiss National champion attacked the field and rode away. Two breaks of 4 quickly formed to chase her down. I, sitting at the back, had to make up a lot of ground. I was able to bridge to the first group within 100 meters and the second group by the time we made it around the course to the hill. I was sitting about 7-8th wheel as we went up the hill. I wound up and jumped as hard as I could. I thought for sure I was going to get third, but unfortunately, my "sprint" wasn't what it use to be and I crossed the line 5th. I was still happy the race picked up at the end to give me the surge I needed to position myself and be able to sprint. Being a road racer I am not much of a field sprinter, so the faster the end of the race the better I do. I am really glad I raced because I almost chickened out. Hopefully this can motivate any of you out there who are on the fence.....just remember to have no expectations.......to dig deep/suffer hard and then at the end to GO! before your brain can tell you to hesitate.

Thanks for reading!
Brianne
Thanks for those of you who were there cheering Keith and I on. It was fun seeing the kit out there!