Done.

I’m done. I had planned to do 2 more road races this season but I’m on the edge of burning out. I’ve decided that my season is over and it’s time to give my body (and brain) a rest. I feel like doing anything else would just get me closer to burning out.

Next year will be my final collegiate racing season and all of my current focus is on preparing for it. I’ve got lofty goals for next season that will require me to step up the volume and intensity of my training. The preparation begins with recovery from the past season and I’d rather come into training next season with a little too much rest than too little.

To wrap things up, here’s how I feel about my progress:

Time Trialing: I’ve gotten much better. I’ve been practicing on the TT bike and steadily improving my times, but this is still my most significant weakness.

Climbing: My climbing has improved as well, but I don’t feel like I am doing my capabilities justice. My body type favors climbing and I really need to start capitalizing on this advantage.

Sprinting: Sprinting was always a strength for me and it continues to be one. My climbing definitely needs to improve before I’ll have a good chance to use this ability.

Descending: In the past, descending was a serious weakness and on at least one occasion it cost me dearly. I am happy to say that this is no longer true. I am not great at going downhill, but I won’t lose ground anymore.

Race Report: Patterson Pass Road Race

This thing was absolutely brutal.  We did three laps, I hung on for two.  The main climb came very soon after the start and was completely exposed to the heavy winds.  Near the top of this climb the road kicked up and so did the wind.  It was difficult just turning over the pedals, let alone trying to maintain pace with the pack.  I made it over the climb with the pack on the first two laps but was gapped off on a minor climb.  After a few minutes of hard work I caught back on and sat in for the ride.

Near the base of the climb on the last lap I had nothing left in the tank and was quickly dropped.  I rode the rest of the lap by myself — had a little chat with teammates in the women’s field and stopped for a crash in another field.  By the end of the race I was completely exhausted.  That’s about it.