It's Just Me, My Bike and the Road...on Two Wheels Spinning!

"Because I Can Try"

On the way to the race.

The first part of this post is being written the night before the race when Cece had a funny conversation with her sissy.  After Cece told Krissy about the other women in her race,  this was their conversation.  Cece burst out laughing!

Getting ready
for my time trial
tomorrow

My sister called
and said
in amazement….

“Hugh! It sounds
like you are
trying to win!
Are you?”

“Yes,” I said

“But why,” she asked?

"Because", I said,
“I can try !"

**************************

 The Beginning!

On one crazy day, someone at the gym told Cece about a time trail that was hosted by the 50+ Games as a qualifier into the State Championships and then the Senior Olympics that would be held  in 2013!  Without hesitation, Cece decided that she wanted to do this race.  Over the months of training and up to the race, she has been thinking about why she so readily and exuberantly wanted to race this race.  She realized one day before the race that it was because of Cadel Evans!  She had watched him race his time trial in the Tour de France and watched his focus and determination.   She ended up cheering and shouting for him as she watched on her computer.... and  then crying over his win....and she knew that day... that some where deep inside her,...she had wanted to feel this same focus, grit and determination ...of doing something so hard....that she had to haul herself over that wall.

And so, Cece paid her fee and was in the race.  Cece is not a racer.  Recently , an acquaintance she has not even met yet asked her, "So,  are you built to race?"   Cece said no she was not. And no she is not,.

Here are some pics of the course taken the day she met Vickie at the Enchanted  Trails RV park.    The race starts uphill (of course)

 then some .false flats and some rollers.

2 mile hill with 4% grade...zoom down.....at 30-35  mph then....

 make a quick slow down  before the cattle guard  and go around  the cones

Pull a U Turn and start climbing up that same  hill you just zoomed down!  Oh Joy!

Almost to the top of this hill, when Cece's  heart rate is over threshold...she sees the sign....."Do NOT Pass"    She would if she even could...but this is her signal to pull out all the stops she has left and amp it up as best as she can...to crest the hill picking up momentum!   She knows that most will take a break here, but she cannot.  She needs to push it where she can and pick up time and speed!

Another 3.6 miles over some rollers and flats and she is at the finish line.

Race Report:    Cece arrived at 7:30am  as scheduled for her bike inspection and packet pick up.  She did not get ready because  her race would not go off until after 10am.  She enjoyed talking to people and taking pictures.

Below is a picture of a man named Larry (on the right) who is 92 years old.  His races were remarkable because they were just as fast as the men in the age 50 category...ok maybe just  a BIT slower but NOT much!  He is Mr. Fast on 2 Wheels.  They even gave him 92 as his race number.  He is a remarkable man!

And below you will see Bob.  He is the man Cece called for support and to ask questions.  When he gave Cece her third place medal he said, "And now the woman I had so much contact with I could not wait to meet her.  She told me and I quote.  This Latin woman does not like to climb uphill"  Cece and everyone there laughed.  Well, it is true!

When Cece was at the starting gate, Bob counted her down as she focused on what she had to do.  30 seconds he said.  Cece clipped in. " 5,4,3,2,1 Go Cece, Go, " He said!    What a nice happy and fun loving person Bob is.  Cece's friend Mike also came to the starting line with her and he was a comfort even though she did not speak to him....he was right there supporting!

Also supporting were Stephanie and Ellie the Shark.  Both of these athlete women have injuries and both are chomping at the bit to get back in the prime shape they want to be in.  No doubt in Cece's mind that they are on the rapid  downhill road to recovery.....probably holding pinwheels and shouting  weeeee.....we, we .we,   .weeeee!

And then there was Char, Cece's trainer who pushes her beyond belief but is the kick butt person who has helped make Cece so much stronger in her legs.... rehabbing her injuries and taking no nonsense from her! No pic to be had...but that reminds Cece she must take one of her.

And so to Cece's race.

As mentioned earlier, she came in third place as she expected she would given that she knew the other women and their skill levels.  But for Cece, she was happy that she had some moments of glory on her ride this day.  

Remember the DO NOT PASS sign?  Well she did pass someone going uphill.  A miracle has occurred and she is glorying in it!  As Cece passed she lingered a bit and told the woman she was doing great.  But the woman did not like that comment evidently because she said, "Well I can't be doing so great since you are passing me"  Point taken.

Then after the horrible hill she starting amping it up and she passed another person. She was in her drops and going over 20mph to try to make up some time.  She  looked at her cycling computer.  She knew it was just about 3 more miles and she pressed on.  Round and round the legs went. Over threshold breathing a given.  Come on...come on....come on.....she told herself.  And finally she crossed the finish line to the cheers of friends and acquaintances!  It was a good feeling to finish and to have accomplished the goal she  set out for herself,  To try her hardest...to give all she could give...and she did that.  So the day was a success!

Now it is more training, more weight loss and on to the State Championship in Las Cruces in July....then perhaps the Sr. Olympics ( in ABQ you need to be 50 or older to e considered a Sr. citizen!)  in Ohio in 2013?  Who knows.  Nothing is impossible!