Must. Develop. Thick. Skin.

ADMIN has never raced cyclocross, but has been to many, many local and national races over the last 7 years.  Have I been spectating under a rock?  What is this heckling thing?  I mean, everyone yells at people during a race, but the heckling stakes have been raised this year with everything from heckling contests to heckling machines on the course.  I understand the concept of heckling of course.  I’ve yelled “The money is up the road” at Mike during a crit, but what I don’t understand is total strangers singling people out on the CX course, screaming at them,  “You Suck!”.

The USGP Series has ended and I am happy to report that Mike won the USGP 45+ Series overall.  If you read my last post you’ll understand when I say that he got a ride home from the airport upon return.  ADMIN knew he could do it.  The wounded lion roared back! 

Mike takes the 45+ USGP Series Win in Bend on Sunday

The hardest part of the weekend was not being able to be there to see it.  Last year I didn’t go to the last stop either and spent the entire weekend pacing the house.  This year I decided to go to Verona, Wisconsin with Ian and Ray Smith to scope out the CX Nationals course for Red Zone and the other locals that will be headed that way next month.  But with the help of Joe Collins, Mike’s coach who went with he and Drew Dillman, it was like I was there.

After Ian’s race both days, I was able to go to the car as the 45+ were lining up and Joe texted me updates, experiencing the races in 2-7 word increments.  I can’t tell you the nervous moments I had in that car.  Ray couldn’t believe how nervous I was for my racer.

On Saturday, Joe reported to me that Mike was feeling good, was relaxed and that the warm-up went well.  These words were like music to my ears because all I’ve heard for the last couple of months is how tired he is and the ever-present discussion about hanging it up for the season.

As they headed to the line, I settled myself in the front seat.  They had talked strategy on the west coast and Ray and I had talked strategy in the Midwest.  With Tim only 2 points behind, it was decided that IF Tim took the win on Saturday and Mike finished second that Tim would take the jersey, but that Mike still had the chance to win it back the second day.  I personally didn’t like this strategy and decided it was just best to finish in front of Tim no matter where in the placings.    No matter what, the outcome of this Saturday race was going to be key.

This is how the race read:

Joe:  Mike is feeling good today.  Pre-riding.

Joe:  Mike is on the trainer.

In the Grid with Tim

(Race Starts)

Joe:  Mike Tim and a local off the front.

ADMIN: Sweet.  Just stay in front of Tim.

Joe:  Mike and Tim have dropped the local.  Mike is marking Tim.

ADMIN:  Holy Shit!

Joe:  Still marking.  Riding smart.

ADMIN:  Whew…I’m dying.

Joe:  He looks relaxed.  They have a huge gap over 3^rd.

ADMIN:  I’m freaking.  He better not quit in the sprint!

Joe:  One to go!  Mike tapped Tim on the back and attacked him!

ADMIN:  What?!  Crazy!

Joe:  Tim is fighting back.

ADMIN:  No!!  He must crack!!!

Joe:  Gonna be a sprint.

ADMIN:  Shit!!

Mike leading Tim on Saturday.  Photo Courtesy of Wil Matthews/VeloNews

Then the final text came up.   I have the type of phone that you have to open the text.  I knew it would be the race result.  My heart dropped and I opened it.

Joe:  Mike wins!

ADMIN:  YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

I literally SCREAMED in excitement!!  Ian and Gavin who were watching a movie and oblivious, took their headsets off and asked if he won then went back to their movie.  ADMIN wanted to do a dance and I think my smile the rest of the day told the story.

When I asked Mike later about the race he was very surprised that it had been just he and Tim off the front.  Mike, ever the roadie, stated that in the first part of the race it was on Tim to attack him.  Tim needed to win and so Mike wasn't willing to sit on the front and give Tim ample opportunities to attack him.  Once they were away, Mike did take his licks and ended up winning on the day.  About the tap, Mike told me it was a sign of good sportsmanship.  It had been a great battle and they were going into the last lap.  It was time for the final duel of the day.  

Mike takes top step on Day One in Bend extending his lead to 12 points.
Photo courtesy of Lasala Images.

Day Two and again the nerves started early for me.  This was for all the marbles.  Again I touched base with Joe and he told me that Mike was on top of it and knew what he needed to do.  Ray and I discussed and it was decided that if Tim wanted to win he needed to keep a group of riders together to stack Mike up, perhaps get him caught behind others in wrecks or technical sections.  Mike needed to finish farther back than 2^nd for Tim to get the points he needed.

We set up in the car and this is what I got from Joe at the race:

Joe:  Mike headed to staging.  How was Ian’s race?

ADMIN:  …5^th, but don’t tell Mike unless you think it will motivate him.

Joe:  They’re off.  Tim on the front.  Mike on his wheel.

ADMIN:  Keep it coming.

Joe:  Front group of 5. 

ADMIN:  omg…

The battle royale!

Joe:  Mike and Tim gapping the others.

Bend was dusty this year.  No snow.  No ice.

Joe:  3 to go

ADMIN:  Mike and Tim off front?

Joe:  They are 20 seconds off the front.

Joe:  5 Chasers

Joe:  Mike on the front.

ADMIN:  Cool.  Stay away from chasers!!!

At this point Ray and I look at each other and know the series is won if they can stay away from those chasers and if he stays up.

Joe:  Mike attacked Tim.  Tim struggling to get his wheel.

ADMIN:  omg…

Joe:  Tim fighting back.  

ADMIN:  Ride boy ride!!!

Joe:  Tim hanging.  One to go.

ADMIN:  How close are chasers?

Joe:  Not close.  Tim takes over on front.  Mike on his wheel.

Joe:  Mike down.  Tim attacks.

ADMIN:  Shit!

ADMIN:  Riding????

Joe:  Mike almost back to Tim.

ADMIN:  Deep breaths.

Joe:  They are together for sprint.

Joe:  Mike 2^nd.

ADMIN:  That is so awesome!  Thank you Joe!!!  Everybody wins.  Congrats to my boy!!!

Relief set in for ADMIN and disappointment that I wasn’t there to share the moment with my racer, but I was so happy for him. 

When I talked to Mike later that day he was very happy and relieved as well to be feeling more like himself again.  He let me know that Tim was bummed, but happy too, with his win.  Class Act that Tim Butler.  I know he reads ADMIN’s blog, but I would say that regardless.  Do you hear me Tim?  You and Sue are CLASS ACT!!  As you stated, you and Mike are 4 and 4 now.  Only you could put the pressure back on to fire us up for Natz!

Tim takes the win on Day 2

I will say that the only thing that Mike was upset about was the incredible amount of negative heckling that he endured.  He didn’t know these people and he said they were extremely nasty to him the whole weekend.  I won't repeat some of the things said, but this is where I wonder, is negative heckling necessary?  The only thing that it accomplished was to fire Mike up more to make sure that he won.  Maybe it's just me.  Maybe I'm just getting old.  Maybe everyone else thinks it's totally acceptable.  If so, in addition to hard training for Mike and ADMIN tasks for me, it's time to grow some thick skin.

Nationals are still a question for Mike.  He is trying to stiff-arm work right now so that he can be there.  Worlds aren’t even in discussion yet.  He is registered, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.  All we want to do right now is celebrate.  Goal #1 for the season is complete and Mike's luck continues.

Thank you Joe Collins.

Layers of Lucky - The Last Stop of the USGP

Mike is headed to Bend, Oregon this afternoon to compete in the last stop of the USGP of Cyclocross this weekend.  He is in the lead of the 45+ Category by a mere 2 points over Tim Butler.  Real life sometimes just gets in the way of the things we do for fun - We've all seen Mike's results and riding recently and we know he'll be lucky to pull out the series win. 

But Mike was lucky already.  Mike was lucky to hold onto that 2 point lead going into Bend.  Mike is lucky that he is able to get off a few days work to even go to Bend.  Mike is lucky that he has an understanding wife that will let him jet off to Oregon to race his bike.  Mike is lucky to have had a really successful early season to set him up with enough points to be competing at the end.  Mike is lucky enough to race for a great team that has set him up with equipment and support.  Mike is lucky enough to have had 6 great moments on the podium this season putting that leaders jersey on.  Mike's luck goes on and on and in my heart and mind, he has won already.

As you've read several times this season, our family has been in major transition.  After 10 months on the market, we sold our house in June and moved into an apartment for what we thought would be a short time.  We were primed and ready to pull the trigger on our next dream house.  Well the months went by and nothing.  It was an adventure at first and we thought it wouldn't be hard because we had done it before when the kids were 3 and 5.  Not so much. 

I'll spare you the gory details, but 4 grown people, 2 dogs and 5 cyclocross bikes, 2 mountain bikes and 3 road bikes in 1000 square feet that was also serving as Mike's office was either going to make us or break us.  And it nearly has broken us a few times, I will admit.

This week we were lucky enough to find our next house.  Working out of this apartment while dealing with all of the issues, weather and bikes involved with cyclocross has been hard.  Our life has been like that sliding piece game where you have 9 slots with one empty and you have to slide the pieces around until you get them all in the right order.  You have to move this bike to open the front door, you have to move this bike to open the sliding glass door, you have to climb over this bike to get to the table, etc.   It has added an extra layer of stress on the season.

But again, layers of lucky.  We were lucky to have a roof over our heads these past few months.  I know our problems in comparison to so many others are miniscule, so I am not complaining at all, but am very thankful for the outcome.

So, here we are back at the series finale.  And it doesn't matter how it all comes out in the wash, Mike has been very lucky this season.  Please don't tell him that I am proud of him already.  I can type it here because I know Mike doesn't read my blog.  And you can't tell him yet because I am Mike's biggest critic as well as biggest fan.  On the one hand, I very proud of him.  On the other, I expect the most out of him (and Ian) every time they get on the bike.  Some may perceive this as anger as I'm yelling at them in the race, but I know what they are both capable of and I expect 100% effort every time.  If I just told them "Oh, it's okay.  Just go out there and see how it goes", it's like giving them permission to go at 70%.  And that wouldn't be fair to them.  When I expect 100% out of them, I in turn give them 100%.  This includes being hard on them when it is needed.  So what I'll tell Mike when he leaves today is that I expect him to come home the USGP series winner.  I know he can do it!!  That if he doesn't win he'll have to find another ride home from the airport...Just Kidding!!

After the USGP finale I can't say what will happen for my racer.  Right now he is fighting for days off from work for Nationals.  It may happen for him, it may not.  And if it doesn't happen, Worlds may not happen either.  A major deadline at work and thus a paycheck and health insurance ranks above cycling.  Some may think this is sad, but how lucky are we?  A job!  A paycheck!  Health Insurance!

Predicting Mike's work schedule has been like listening to the weather 10 days in advance, we won't count him out until he's out.  If his luck continues, we'll see him on the start line for both!

NOTE:  Ian and I are headed to Wisconsin with Ray Smith for Badger Cross.  I'm itching to get my eyes and Ian's tires on that Natz venue.  I'm breaking the winter coat and heavy boots for the first time this season.  It's put up or shut up time!

It's Always Darkest Before The Dawn

November 15, 2011

Things can't go right or smooth all the time because then you wouldn't appreciate when it is going smooth or right.  Adversity is what makes us stronger, to force us to think outside of the box, to really let us know what we're made of.

We entered a dark period around here when we got back from Fort Collins.  I certainly won't go into the gritty details, but it involved unsuccessful house searches, lots of sickness and too much work and stress for proper training.  And the stress involved has shown it's ugly head in the rides and results.  Mike has always had the unique ability to "fake it", but cyclocross is different.  I dare you to try to fake it in cyclocross.  Good luck with that.

It's been hard to watch Mike suffer so much because I know what he is capable of, but I honestly don't know how he even does as well as he does with all of the travel and work.  So...we work a plan.  If Plan A isn't working, we switch to Plan B.  If Plan B doesn't work, then we formulate a Plan C.  Well, we're about at Plan M and we're going to see how this goes.

Mike flew home the night before the Cincy 3 weekend after a no training week due to the snow storm they had in Denver that week.  We trucked off to Java Johnny's on Saturday to give it a go.  After an awesome breakthrough 13th place ride for Ian in the 2/3, Mike took to the course.  He hung tough and by the skin of his fingernails stayed with the front group of 8 and took 5th.  He was tired, but looked like the form was still hanging on.  But then Harbin Park.  That course is just a killer.  If you haven't been riding, it shows.  And it did.

Ian heading to 13th place in the 2/3 at Java Johnny's

Mike hangs onto the lead group at Java Johnny's

Mike sprints to 5th place at Java Johnny's

Mike suffers like a dog at Harbin Park

USGP week brought snot, phlegm and coughing.  Pushing the body too hard tends to accelerate any illness you may have and Mike had it.  He had a decent point lead going into the weekend, but we knew that Tim Butler would be putting the pressure on because the last stop of the series is in his home state and he yearns for that jersey.  It was another week of easy riding, the older body just not able to push any kind of intervals.

The schedule for the Louisville USGP changed just a bit and Ian, Mike and Cate were racing back to back to back.  Whoever said that racing in your own town is easier is just plain crazy.  As hard as ADMIN tried, my troops were a total mess.  Mike missed his callup the first day and went to the line with no number. (Thanks to Bill Marshall for saving the day!)  Cate forgot her shoes on Saturday and Ian lost his shoes and helmet before Sunday's race.  ADMIN was so very close to just giving up, but somehow all of the problems solved themselves and things moved forward.

Ian had another breakthrough weekend finishing 22nd and 20th in the very competitive 2/3 category.  He seems to be the only one on track at the moment, but as he gets older, I am working harder and harder to make him more responsible for his own race day and it is painful to say the least.  I look at the 17-18 year olds and know he will mentally get there, but going to the race knowing you don't have your shoes and helmet and that you have to solve your own problem is very important lesson.  And these lessons have to happen so that he can have those all important "A-HA" moments.  3 more hairs turned gray Sunday morning.

Ian riding to a 22nd place in the 2/3 category at Day 1 USGP - Derby City Cup

Mike had just an okay race on Saturday.  Winning a race at home is important, but for us, it is the big picture/end game that we are focusing on.  So with that in mind and with Mike's fitness being what it is, he knew that he just had to stay with Tim.  And he did until he had to dismount in the uphill sand and lost contact.  He chased and didn't make headway, but Tim bridged to Fred Rose who had been riding at the front with Jon Card.  Tim ended up 2nd and Mike 4th.  It put Tim within 12 points of equaling Mike's points and taking the jersey.  And Tim, who I adore, knew the point spread and told me exactly what he needed to do to take that jersey on Sunday.  He was very aware of what it was going to take to snatch it.

The start of Saturday's Elite 45+ from the top of the World on Larry's Camper

Mike passing Waldeck at the front of the race early

Mike staying with Tim.  Jon would end up winning the race, Fred 2nd.

Gulp!  My sister went into labor and I had to go to Lexington on Sunday to be with her.  So with everything on the line, I wasn't able to be there to watch the race on Sunday.  Mike had not been positive that morning, so I was really not sure how it would go.  Luckily my friend Marcia Seiler knew of my predicament in a hospital in Lexington and hooked me up with update calls and texts throughout the entire race.  I quickly explained to her the point spread and passed on words of encouragement to yell out to Mike.  Messages were he was 4th, he was 6th, Tim is up the road, he's catching up, he's dropping back.   It was pure torture!!  Jon, Tim and Fred were on the front and Mike had dropped back to the next group on the last lap.  When I heard he was 6th, I knew the jersey was gone.  I literally told Marcia "It's Over" and knew he had to do something miraculous to pull this out of his ass.

And then comes Wayne Simon.  Mike was in a group with Wayne a big handful of seconds back.  At some point in the last lap Wayne laid it down to bridge to the front.  Mike went with him and hung on.  When they hit the technical section in the woods, Mike went around him and gave it one last dig.  Out of the depths of his bowels, Mike crossed the line 4th.  Jon had outsprinted Tim for the win.  With the final point tally, Mike was still in the jersey by 2 points.  I was spent by the end of the race and nearly asked my sister to move over in the hospital bed so that I could lay down.

Ian rides to 20th place on Sunday in the 2/3s

.

The start of Sunday's 45+ Elite    Photo: Marcia Seiler

Pulling it out of his backside    Photo: Marcia Seiler

Mike holds onto the Exergy 45+ Elite Jersey going into Bend

So, now we have time to get Plan M moving, get Mike well and get some decent training in the legs before Bend next month.  And we have even more time to get all cylinders firing by Nationals and Masters Worlds.  But first, we're going on vacation.  A week on the beach in North Carolina to "sharpen the saw" as it were.  On vacation, ADMIN will be able to get the next phase of planning under way.  We had held back on registering for Masters Worlds because Mike had seriously considered over the last few weeks to hang it up for the season, but would that really be an option?  No, not really.  This is a big part of who we are as a family unit.  We love it.  It's what we do and we know he won't be able to do it forever.  You have to grab these opportunities when you can because when they're gone, they're gone.

So with that decision to continue and with the USGP jersey going into the final stop in Bend, we are renewed and can see the sun rising on the rest of the season.  Hopefully the dark days are over.

L

Special notes:

USGP Louisville is special.  Despite our personal struggles, I had so much fun with all of our friends locally and from around the country.  We weren't able to host anyone this year due to our living situation, but thankfully the Seilers took over our duties and took care of Danny Summerhill for us.

A special thank you to John and Lois Haley for hosting an incredible night and meal for a lot of the 17-18 year old competitors and their families, as well as Mitch Hoke, Brady Kappius and Danny.  It was nice to get to meet the boys and their parents - so many lessons to learn from parents whose kids are at the next level.

Thank you also to JoAnn and Dan Santos for hosting all of the Red Zone girls and Georgia Gould at their house for dinner Saturday night.  Our girls love Georgia (despite all the heckling) and set up their Georgia Gould fan club on the river again this year.

And then despite the on course rivalry between Tim and Mike, we have really been blessed to get to know him and his wife Sue.  Sunday night we had dinner with them and "On Your Left Drew" as we call him, and got to talk lots of smack and compare scars. 

Big continued thanks to Mike's team, Bob's Red Mill and Ian and Cate's team, Red Zone Cycling abd all of their teammates for all their help and keeping them all grounded.   And then of course all of our sponsors!!

But the most important of all:  My niece, Ella Catherine, was born on Sunday at 3:55pm in perfect health.  Brighter days indeed!!

Love those little hands.  Future CX racer??

Till next time...

Okay...enough rain

October 12, 2011

Well, the long weekend is over and we are halfway into the next week and are just now finally getting the wheels back on the tracks.  Travel is hard.  Even easy travel is hard.  All best laid plans require effort.  

We arrived at DIA to the wonderful news that Cate's field hockey team had beaten Noe #2 in the Buckeye tournament semi-final 1-0 with Cate scoring that winning goal.  If ever I was glad that a hard decision worked out, it was at that moment.  They now will be playing in the tournament final this Friday evening.

We were able to zip on up to Ft. Collins to the second half of the number presentation, but had missed most of the people we know.  Except for Kaitie Anntoneau.  We run into her everywhere because her flights from Indy pretty much mirror ours from Louisville.

Saturday morning started gloomily.  We got Mike and Ian to the course early to pre-ride before the rain started.  It was a good thing, because the rain started shortly after that and it didn't stop all day.  40 degree weather, cold rain and a 10-15 mph wind.  We left 85 degree weather in Louisville the day before.  It was a shock to say the least.  And while we were prepared, can you really be mentally?

Mike was a nervous wreck.  And I mean a nervous wreck.  It was bad.  And that's all I have to say about that.  The 45+ guys lined up and started the race.  It was a mud fest by this time and the race past 6th place was blown out of the water.  We only had 2 bikes, one of Mike's and one of Ian's.  I had to work the pit with Ian's bike because we didn't know what the conditions would do to Mike's bike.  This meant no warm-up for Ian who was racing right after.  

The slog started and Mike sat third pretty much the whole race.  The people who were racing 1-2 eventually crapped out or had mechanicals and Mike ended up in second when a local zipped past Mike to take the top spot.  The conditions were definitely a factor as Mike's technical ability in mud helped secure the 2nd podium spot and with it, the overall jersey.

Podium Day 1

In the jersey

Ian's race was a mess.  He didn't get to warm up and the cold rain was almost unbearable.  He was cold to start and didn't ever warm up.  The race passed him by and he finished 8th.  We were all so tired, wet and cold that the die-hard McShanes left the venue before the elite races, warmed up and went to the movies.  Moneyball...3 thumbs up.

Sunday we woke to much more favorable weather and the flags outside the hotel weren't standing on end.  We went to the course and the boys pre-rode and we found warm-up space in the Challenge tent, thanks to our friends Tom and Bill.  It was a much more laid back day as Mike was tired.  He wanted to do well, but knows he's a better first day finisher.  It got down-right hot as the race started.  Because of the drier conditions, we knew that there would be people flying off the line, especially the locals.  And we were right.  

Off they went and Mike did his best to maintain decent position.  The guy who had won the race the day before just rode away and Mike and Tim hung with 4 other locals for a few laps before they dropped a couple of them and tried to hang onto a podium position.  The sea-level dwellers were no match against the altitude-bred locals as they went 1-2-3 and Tim and Mike came in 4th and 5th.  Mike was spent and bummed that he nearly had his worst finish ever in the 45+ USGP races, but was glad that he salvaged what he could and that he will be bringing the overall jersey in Louisville next month.

The start line of the 45+.  Sue Butler giving Mike crap.

Tim and Mike battling for 3rd

Gutting it out

Curse those locals!

In the jersey heading into Louisville next month!

Side note:  For those that think that altitude at Fort Collins can't be that bad, Mike's average heart rate was 149 on Sunday, when his normal average in a race is 165.  Like I said, he was just glad to salvage what he could.

The conditions were much better for Ian even as the altitude was bothering him a bit.  He was hot off the line and battled for podium position through the whole race.  In the end he finished 4th behind 3 locals.  He was happy to end the weekend on a better note.

The start with the mountains in the background

Ian battling with locals

Finishing 4th on the day

We were able to hang out and enjoy the elite races the rest of the day and enjoy the wonderful New Belgium beer.  The men's elite race was CRAZY and so much fun to watch and cheer, as a lot of people witnessed when they saw us on the live feed from cycling dirt.  We had no idea about the cameras until our phones started buzzing with texts from friends from home that they could see us.  How funny that was! 

New Belgium!

Mike and Ian

Tom Price working on KCCX bikes

Hurrah - a picture of me - I WAS there!

Ray Smith getting ready to do battle in the Elite race

So it was quite the experience as usual and I was able to add 3 more pint glasses to my collection - thanks to the Fort Collins Brewery in FOCO and to the Fish House in Denver that suggested that my glass fall into my purse when I asked if I could buy one.  uhhh...

But the trip was not complete without some drama.  First, our friend Tracy was involved in a bike crash (which ended up involving even more friends) and was transported to the hospital.  Then I found out my boss was in the ICU with some unknown infection which has turned out to be Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Last, before we left on Tuesday, we got a call from my mom that Cate's temperature at the Immediate Care Center was 104 degrees and that she had strep.  She had been complaining of not feeling well the entire time we were gone, but it wasn't until my mom came over to take her shopping that we realized how sick she was.  Guilt. Guilt. Guilt.  But there was nothing I could do so far from home and luckily we got her all on the road to recovery right away.

And then I got sick...

Bloomingcross next weekend.  Ahhh, so good to be back in the Ville.

L

Epic Fail

October 7, 2011

After my last blog, Christy Llewellyn made the comment that her term for admin is “mom”.  And she is right.   The word admin in any home is a supped up version of mom.   And every mom’s job can get hairy.  I was driving down Brownsboro Road the other day and the license plate on the back of a silver Mercedes said “1 MOM”.  Did that mean that she was the first mom to get a vanity plate or was she telling everyone that she was #1 mom.  I thought it quite presumptuous. 

All moms are undervalued.   The amount of admin that they complete for their families through the years is unfathomable.  And THIS is why their kids wave and mouth “Hi Mom” when they are interviewed after the winning touchdown in the National Championship game.  The kids know and are trying to pay admin back for starting them in the sport, for all the rides to practice, for making sure their uniforms were clean, for sitting and cheering them on at every game through heat, rain and snow.

So I think we ALL need license plates that say “1 MOM”. 

Well, this admin experienced epic fail this past week.  I wonder where that fine line is between taking care of your racers and having them just a little too reliant on you. 

Last Sunday, I had to stay back with Cate because she had play day for field hockey.  When the boys returned from the race at John Bryan, there was a big secret.  Ian started to tell me something and Mike shushed him up.  Of course, my kids are pushovers when it comes to secrets and soon it came out.  Ian raced without a number.  You know, while some people think that the admin’s job is easy, how hard is it to get a number pinned on before a race?  Ian lost the number in the car and Mike spent good quality time hurriedly looking for it everywhere.  It wasn’t found until after they got home and unloaded.  So, for all of you who think that admin is easy – is it really?

Anyway, I’m on the plane in full on admin role for the USGP New Belgian Cup.  It was supposed to be a family trip since the kids are out of school Monday and Tuesday, but whereas Cycling is KING in our house, Field Hockey is QUEEN and the 7^th grade Buckeye Tournament schedule got changed.  Cate is playing in the semi-finals as I type this.  It is killing admin not to be there for her, but she is surrounded with Cub-loving fans.

Mike left for Denver on Monday and I’ve been playing the single parent role with school, work, sports and getting us ready for this trip.  And it wasn’t complete without a few epic fails of my own.

But, now that the week’s heavy lifting is over, it is time for me to let others do the work.  I’m getting them here, now they have to deliver in their results.  The weather went from predicted 70 degrees and sunny last week to 40s rain/snow mix for both days.  It will be epic to say the least.  Life is good.

Updates on the plane-ride home!  Thank you Sherri Jane and the other person that reads this!

:-)

I Love Rain

September 30, 2011

Sun Prairie was just as advertised on weather.com.  It was cold AND hot on Saturday and Sunday was a mudfest due to 80% chance of rain...more like 100%.

Because of the possibility of what was to come, I did something that is not in my nature.  I went to Quest and spent some REAL money on proper rain gear for all 4 of us.  We have been racing road for nearly 20 years and have been rolling in the mud in CX for 5 and not a single one of us had a decent rain jacket, rain boots that didn't leak or heaven forbid, a pair of waterproof pants.  I admit it was painful, but imagine the joy of admin knowing that your racers are well-taken care of.

It was well worth it.  I did a rain dance Friday morning to make sure my splurge was justified and I was not disappointed.

The weekend started well.  We had the whole family there, including the dogs.  Because Ian has upgraded to a Cat 3, we didn't have to be at the course at butt-crack o'clock - thankfully, because we were still running a bit behind.  This was to be Ian's first race with the 2s and only his third in the Cat 3s.  Admin secured him a front row start amid the men.  He started well, sat top 10 for the first couple laps and then slipped back to top 20 for the second 2.  He got tired in the last 2 and ended up back in 44th.  Out of 105 starters, not too bad at all.

Mike was nervous, feeling like there was a lot of pressure on him.  People were stopping by the car checking out the Stevens bike.  And Mike didn't disappoint anyone.  He'll talk "bike geek" anytime.  He started warming up 30 minutes before the race and then I got nervous.  Mike has had a lot of stuff going on with work and you never know how the stress will manifest itself.  It's got to affect you somehow.  I was hoping it wasn't going to be on the bike.

Lining up for the start was like "old home" week.  It was great to see all the usual suspects including Tim Butler, Tom Price, Troy Krause and of course everybody's hero, Bill Marshall.  The race started fast and Keith Lucas shot to the front like he was shot out of a cannon.  He led the whole lap until the runup where he bobbled and Tim, who has been incorporating running since last December, took the lead.  He built up a handful of seconds until Mike started to make the bridge across.  It took all of a lap for Mike to make contact and when he did, the two of them started trading pulls around the course.  Mike concedes that Tim was EXTREMELY strong in the flat, fast sections and left Mike in the dust on the runup.  They were equally matched as an average on the course and then the top junior reached them.

Sam O'Keefe had ridden through the rest of the Masters field and reached Mike and Tim with a lap to go.  Tim jumped on Sam's wheel for bit, but started to gap, so Mike jumped around and got on the junior's wheel.  Mike was able to get a gap on Tim and then Sam pulled off and Mike took over.  He knew he needed a gap going into the runup and did.  Mike came across the line with Tim right behind.

Imagine the great photos I got of Mike crossing the line with his hands in the air.  Well, I got none because he didn't do it.  In fact when I asked him about it later he said "Oh, I didn't even think of that."  Duh!  Those of us who take photos for posting to the sponsors do...

Sunday we awoke to cold rain and lots of it.  Thank God, I had spent all that money on rain gear!!  Ian was racing the 15-16 race the second day so Mike's race was first.  Procrastination is the name of the game.  I finally had to walk away.  They both made it to the start line, which was amazing.

The rain let up right before the Masters 45+ race started.  There were some fresh legs on the front line as Wayne Simon joined for Day 2.  Added to that is that it was Tom Price's 52nd birthday.  Well, he must have decided the night before what he wanted for his birthday because he started the race in the front and ended the race in the front.  Mike and Tim had a little more trouble getting around a few riders in the first lap and by the time they did, Tom had a 10 second gap that turned into 20 seconds quickly.  Mike was alone in 2nd chasing most of the race and Tim was alone in 3rd chasing until 1 lap to go when Tim caught Mike.  The course was sloppy, muddy and wet and Mike handled the mud just a little better, a handful fewer dabs and crashes was all it took to give Mike the second step on the podium and the jersey for the second day and into Ft. Collins.

I was not able to be at the podium the second day as Ian's race started at the conclusion of Mike's race.  Ian won the holeshot in the 15-16 race and despite being his first mud race of the year, sat comfortably in 3rd the entire race.  Ian was very glad to have made it back to the podium.

All in all it was an extremely successful weekend.  The race was very well run, as usual, and the Wisconsin volunteers were awesome.  The Bob's Red Mill team of racers is exceptional and so very helpful.  Special thanks to Dave for pitting for Mike on day 2.  That was key.  Can't go any further without thanking the Clarksville Schwinn crew and the On Your Left crew for getting us taken care of.  From me to you guys - YOU ARE THE BEST!!  Last but not least, my hero, Bill Marshall and Challenge tires- mucho gracias!!

Training this week has been tough for Mike - so very tired, and he is traveling for work next week.  So conditioning leading into Ft. Collins is iffy.  But Joe Collins, Mike's coach has a plan a-working to make sure he is ready to defend the jersey.  Admin has spent the week making sure all registrations are complete and travel arrangements are taken care of before Mike leaves town.  It will be another family trip, so there are many details outside of racing that have to take place.

Regardless of what happens, we are excited to get to Colorado to spend some quality time.  We are taking two extra days after racing to enjoy Denver.  In the meantime, John Bryan this weekend after some cross country racing for Ian on Saturday.  It will be good to get back to the OVCX before we leave again.

Till next time - Cheers!

The First Stop

September 22, 2011

I’ve worn many hats through the years as far as racing is concerned; racer, teammate, team leader, wife of racer, mother of racer.  But I think the hardest job of all is ADMIN of racer.  And with the announcement of Masters Cyclocross World Championships being held in Louisville, KY in January of 2012, this is my newest role.

Who cares about Admin?  I don’t know, but as I live each day and my memory fades over time, what better way for me to actually remember what actually is going on during this time so that at the end I can answer the question, “How in the hell did we do all of that?”

This is the story of the McShanes only.  Nothing is the right way, just our way.  Most of you who know us, know you wouldn’t want to do it our way, because it is usually chaos-filled.

As I write this we are headed to the first stop of the United States Gran Prix of Cyclocross in Sun Prairie, WI – just outside Madison.  Mike races for the Bob’s Red Mill Cyclocross Team and has won the 45+ USGP overall for the last two years and is trying to pull off the hat trick.  It is the only national-wide series of it’s kind in the country for the “old guys”. 

The USGP races are in Wisconsin, Colorado and Kentucky before wrapping up in Oregon in December.  Points are accumulated at each 2-day weekend of racing and the person with the most wins.  Last year it came down to the last race of the series in Portland and Mike was able to hold off Tom Price of KCCX for the series win.

Usually the cyclocross season ends with the US National Championships in mid-December, but EVERYTHING has changed this year.  “Natz” have been moved to the first full week in January and then the piece de resistance is that MASTERS CYCLOCROSS WORLD Championships have been awarded to Louisville, KY for 2012 AND 2013.  These will be held in the week following Natz, right down the street from our abode.

You just don’t get these opportunities every day.  Worlds – Masters Worlds in our backyard.  Well, hell yeah Mike is going for it.  What’s stopping him?

Well, life.  Life is a bitch sometimes.  Mike has been very competitive in every aged-based masters race he has done.  A podium appearance at Cyclocross Nationals has eluded him, but other than that, he is a serious contender to “do well” in every race he is in.  But let’s be honest, a lot of the big, competitive masters riders do just that.  They ride.  That’s it.  Hard to compete with that when you are working full time +, have two kids that are serious into their own sports and a junior cycling team that you help run.  I won’t even get into the fact that we are living 4 people and 2 dogs in a 1000 square foot apartment right now.  That’s another story altogether.  But I digress…

This is where Admin comes in.  Even serious amateur cyclocross racing can be a job.  Besides being on top of the equipment, which the racer does him or herself, there is some serious research:  into races, into start lists, into dates, hotels and the closest Starbucks coffee.  Admin registers their racer on opening day to get a good start position, makes airline reservations, books the hotels and gets the oil changed for long car trips.  This person makes sure all the uniforms are washed, the bags are packed, that the dogs are taken care of and that we have all the supplies we need.  On race day Admin pins numbers, works the pit, takes photos, keeps time splits and screams their head off.

Oh heavens, let’s face it.  Mike couldn’t even begin to train or hope to compete in Masters Cyclocross Worlds without me taking care of all of these elements.  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.  So, this is the story of our journey to the 2012 Championships, come hell or high water.

USGP Madison is the first stop.  Its finishes will be a big determining factor of how the year is going to go.  We are already booked to be in Colorado in 2 weeks, so we’re hoping for major points in this weekend’s races.  Mike is putting in the work with a coach for the first time and we are leaning on other things like massage, also for the first time.  Getting old sucks and every race ends for Mike with another body part hurting.

Is it worth it??  Absolutely!  Every complaint is a moment of putting someone else into the hurt locker.  And we are ruthless that way.  

Got to run.  5 hours into a 7.5- hour drive and my racer is asking for Advil already.  It’s going to be a long weekend.

UPDATE:

Mike won the first race at Sun Prairie and took the overall leaders jersey.  He finished a strong 2^nd on Sunday to retain his lead going into the second event at Fort Collins, CO October 8-9.  I’ll update on the weekend in my next entry.