Cross and things

It's been awhile since I've updated.
Not much going on really.
I've raced cross 3 times, and although it's fun, it's yet to hit me as the best thing ever.
I long for roots, drops and twisty singletrack. However I do enjoy it for a good work out and hanging out with people.
I upgraded to a Cat 3 knowing I'd get my ass beat, but at the same time I didn't feel right racing the 4s, especially since the category was filling up so quickly. I guess I just felt that the women that were being kept out of the race, were true 4s. I don't really notice or feel much difference in the extra 15 minutes. The only thing that's changed really is instead of finishing in the top 10 I'm near last. I'm pretty used to that. John's been doing very well. Podiums for the most part every race. He won the 30+ this weekend and then took 4th in the 1,2,3. So good on him.
I sold my road bike. The Eriksen is still safe... for now. However, I did wake up one night in a cold sweat having thought I sold it. Perhaps that was a sign saying DON'T DO IT.
Halloween is coming. I have two costume ideas. Casey will be Hermione from Harry Potter and Zoe is Ariel from The Little Mermaid. I still have to pick up a few things which is sort of annoying as I just want to have it done. Hopefully tonight.
This weekend we'll be racing Campton on Sunday, not sure of Halloween Cross in WI. Just a lot of driving and a lot of cash.
So much to do at home. I'm starting to get a bit stressed out at how unorganized the house is right now. It's starting to get old.
I don't know when I'll be on my mountain bike next. Hopefully before the weekend.

Last one.

I love Sheboygan.
I don't know what makes it so special. I think it's the crowds of people everywhere on a super fun course. It has a little bit of everything- roots, big fucking roots, log overs, a log drop, wooden bridges, a quarry, twisty singletrack, pines, river edge singletrack, steep leg cramp climbing, a creek crossing... There isn't a place on that course that I do not look forward to. It's all good.
I haven't done a WORS race since the beginning of July. I knew it was going to be tough if only because I haven't raced or ridden that intense in quite some time. Sure I did other races, but nothing compares to the competition of a WORS race.
My first lap was fun, going back n forth with a couple of ladies. Second lap I was still feeling good... I was starting to relax and get into a rhythem. Third lap I took another gel and my stomach cramped shortly after. I think I took it too soon not thinking that the laps at Sheboygan are pretty short. I knew right away after I took it that I wasn't going to feel well so I willed it away. Luckily it didn't get too bad.

WORS #12 ©WORS Danny Marchewka

My legs still felt great through my 3rd lap. I don't know exactly where it was, but
on the 3rd lap I did something to my back. I thought maybe it was just tense from all the roots and having too much air pressure in the back tire. But it didn't exactly feel like that and still today, my back hurts. I don't even want to ride my mountain bike. The thought of it causes me to tense up. It's just this one spot by my back rib.
Anyway, Sheboygan is pretty rooty so it was pretty intense at times, I could barely hold onto the bar, so I slowed down quite a bit. At first I was pissed off. But then, I was like, whatever. It wasn't like I'd be missing out on anything if I could pedal faster. So I just dealt with it. Weird for me, though, to actually look forward to climbing...
I guess it was kind of a bummer if only because I'd like to see how I would've finished without that issue as my legs were totally fine. But I'm sure there were other racers that day with their own problems as well.
In the end I had a blast and that's what it's all about. I still look back on it and smile.

I'm hoping to get an epic mountain bike ride in this weekend. We'll see. I'm not one for making plans. I either change my mind, or get disappointed if what I wanted to do doesn't work out.