Source Endurance

It seems crazy to think about it, but the 'cross season is starting to wind down.  There are 2 more USGP races and then the National Championships in Kansas City December 16th.
   Dusty and I have been back east for about 2 weeks and we are just getting ready to head back out to Colorado for a few days at home before we fly to Portland for the last two USGP races.
   Last weekend I raced in the USGP races in Trenton, New Jersey.  The races were held in a huge park, and the leaves were still changing so it was a really beautiful venue.  The course was pretty flat, but there were still plenty of challenges.  There were lots of tights turns, a flyover (run up stairs on one side and ride down a ramp on the other side), and a long sand pit with a 90 degree turn in the middle of it.  I spent a fair amount of time at the sandpit because I couldn't decide whether to run or try to ride it.  I could ride it about 50% of the time, but it was hard.  I like to have a plan before the race of what I am going to do, and that way I don't stress about it during the race.  I've been feeling strong running, so I decided to ride into the sand as far as I could, then jump off and run the rest of the way. 
   Saturday's race started OK, although I was a bit slow when the gun went off.  A group of about 5 of us separated off the front.  I felt pretty comfortable and attacked in the sandpit on the 2nd lap.  I got a small gap, stayed on the gas and opened it up.  I crossed the line with about 30 seconds on second place. 
    Winning the race on Saturday gave me some good confidence heading into Sunday's race.      I woke up Sunday morning to rain and 40 degrees.  The course was wet and greasy and skills were definitely going to be a factor.  I had another slow start, but still made the front group.  After several crashes and much flailing, I finally managed to pull myself together and ride my bike.  I managed to get a little gap on the second-to-last lap and held on to it to cross the line with 15 or 20 seconds on second place.  Once I was by myself I was able to ride much more smoothly because I wasn't just reacting to what other people were doing. 
    All in all, it was a successful weekend- hopefully Sunday's race was a good tune-up for the almost certainly muddy conditions we will find in Portland next weekend.  I'm looking forward to that trip- those Northwest 'crossers are hard-core!