Porkchop Hill

Race no.1 St. Cloud, MN
Course description; starting line to right/left-hand turn and then a general straight to end of the park, around tennis courts via some trees and then a down hill/right-hander that many took too hot. Down to pavement to a 180, back down the pavement to the first set of barriers, over some wood chips and a slippery/sharp-left turn that also many too hot.
Along the ridge of a hill (while slowly climbing), quick couple lefts to large/fast downhill, 180 to barriers and run up, back down fast with a sweeping right-hand turn to immediate barrier set number 3, then run up to line.

-while I still managed to be run a little late, this year I got in a better warm up. –was nice to see all the crossniacs kits. –it seemed like an easier course, but still one of the season’s hardest. –got a decent start, held my own for the first lap, even capitalized on other’s mistakes and falls. –had a great second lap, felt strong and gained a couple positions. –hit the pain-wall on third lap and became a rabbit many racers jumped upto. –just about died on fourth lap. –then hit it harder on final lap, but no bounce in step left for remaining barriers cost me a position or two at finishing line.

Did better than last year and am looking forward to improving in the next couple races. I’m not racing next weekend, so I’m allowing myself a gin and tonic tonight, than back to monklife on Tuesday.

-p