So I took a little detox break from this, to really clear my head after having to get in the car in the Vuelta Independencia. It was a very hard thing for me to do, and even if I had two broken legs, I would sign in and try to finish and make it to the next day. Quitting is never an option in my brain, but sometimes the body just does not respond to damage the way the mind does.
After some thought and reflection, the stage to Bani was a mental fight from the get go, trying to sit with no skin on one cheek and having two flats even prior to starting hammered those nails into the coffin. As we started, the legs were not responding and I just told myself to make it through the first hour.
I did. Even despite the Mega-Team throwing down a 52km average speed for the first hour. Coming into 50km to go, my rear began to go flat, and I motioned for the car and as soon as I got off the bike, my leg locked up. I got in the car. Got to the finish line, called my fiancé and got a flight home the next morning. Emotionally torn from quitting, I packed my bike and clothes eagerly awaiting sterile rinse and Tegaderm to help grow the skin back.
Getting to airport went smoothly, as well as getting my bike home for free despite having to showcase my Spanish skills and full on sell the idea of an “insurance display,” sitting was another ordeal. Thankfully the flights were short and customs was a breeze, despite their inquiry into bicycle tubes. Having my fiancé at the security gate was another great surprise and made quitting the race not seem so horrid.
After six days off the bike, it was time to get back on. The skin was slowly coming back, but the overall soreness from hitting the deck at 60km/h was still lingering. Coming into the weekend, I felt like racing would either be a complete success or epic failure. So I registered for the Chain of Lakes Classic, figuring I have always done pretty well in the races.
Finishing both days was a success despite fighting through some discomfort and residual bleeding. But I was far from 100%. Thankfully my teammate Jake Hill was able to make the split on Saturday and allowed me to follow wheels. After they were established, I figured it was on my shoulders then to ride my race. Putting the discomfort aside, I waited for a cross wind section and guttered it. I rode flat out for the next 15 miles turning the 60 rider field into 4 riders. With 18 riders up the road, it was futile but made great training. Jake finished 8th and I rounded out the top 20 in one of the windier races I have done in Florida.
Sunday proved to be a very technical crit and was single file from the gun. After 40 minutes of racing, three riders were able to get a gap and the field seemed uninterested in any sort of chase, other than short bursts and long “man” pulls showcasing strength. Coming into the last laps things split and became a little hectic and I felt best to play things safe and take zero risk in this healing process. Thankfully Jake rode well was able to finish strong amongst the chaos.
Personally, I am looking back to getting the legs back under me and getting 100% for the first USA Crits race next weekend in Del Ray Beach. Hopefully it will prove to be a fast bunch sprint and will give the opportunity for some big results. Until then!
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