SKINourishment p/b Paceline Projects: "This Machine"

Well, there isn't much to report on the racing front for Tulsa Tough. Sadly, I had a pretty mediocre performance on the bike for the first two days of racing. Friday night was pretty darn fast and as I started the race in the back of the field, I found it nearly impossible to move up and stay up at the front. I greatly appreciated Kent and Jill who cheered for me, and of course there was an exceptionally loud Wyoming girl in attendance! With a couple laps to go, I looked back to see an empty road and told myself to get with the program. I moved up, and up, and up and finished the day mid pack at 31st. Saturday I found myself in a similar situation. The legs just weren't feeling it and I finished the race 30th. For someone who can sprint, completing a race and not being able to use your strength whatsoever is frustrating to say the least.

Cry Baby Hill Courtesy of Chris Roettger

Despite having a rough start to the racing, the legs came around for the final day of the St. Francis Tulsa Tough on Cry Baby Hill. For those that watched the live coverage on VeloNews, you received a small glimpse into the awesomeness that is Tulsa Tough. The party on the hill is always right there teetering on the verge of being completely out of control. Those of us who race domestically are hard pressed to find fans like these anywhere unless we are sitting in front of our computers watching the races in Europe. Even though the legs were feeling good, it was hot in Oklahoma and I appreciated the enthusiasm and those that were pouring, shooting, and dumping cold water on us as we parted the sea of speedos, hairy bellies, crazy wigs, and I'm pretty sure I saw some dude in blond pig tails with angel wings? Every year the field kinda blows apart on this tough course, and this year was no exception. The game plan for the race was to be mindful positioning as people would start to pop off early and continue to do over the course of the race, and to stay on top of hydration and keeping myself as cool as possible. Then ya know, sprint. Well, I did a pretty good job taking care of those three objectives. I was encouraged to be in the front group that was chasing NOW rider Alison Powers up the road as we were heading into the final laps of the race and still feeling pretty good for the finish. Unfortunately, I took a tumble and caught some slip-n-slide action across the pavement with no more free laps left. Pretty sure they played it back on the jumbo tron in slow motion and thankfully my mom who was watching in MA missed that image. Someone came from out of nowhere to help me up (maybe the hairy angel?), don't remember, but I made my way to Jose at SRAM to get my bars situated so that I could at least chase and finish the race. I took off from the pit and started to go up the hill when I realized my derailleur was going into my spokes and my stem going in the opposite direction my wheels was, plus the bleeding and what not. So, I made it the first aid tent where the nice folks from St. Francis hospital took care of me and I watched the finish (Alison's solo to victory and some more crashing in the field).

Welcome sign in Tulsa Airport

So, I was pretty disappointed with my racing this past weekend. However, there were so many positives to my time in Tulsa that despite the soreness, blood, total lack of success on the result and goal front, I can still honestly say I had a stellar time. Tulsa Tough is one of the best events we have in the country and their attention to detail makes for a great time. You can't possibly sulk in a dark corner after you had a horrible race, it's just not the Tulsa way. The weekend is one long celebration of what we love, bikes, and how this machine impacts our communities and our lives. Bikes give us a sense of freedom and exhilaration, our needed alone time, or an opportunity to connect with other across the country and all over the world. They give us good health (road rash and broken bones aside) and opportunity. Tulsa does a phenomenal job of celebrating this and I encourage everyone (racers and recreational riders) to head to Tulsa next summer for the races, Gran Fondo, or Townie Ride. A huge thanks to the race for highlighting and promoting the growth of women's racing, to Carrie and Chris who are awesome folks to travel and hang with, to my WY friend Abby Carroll (and her BF Chris) who cheered and made me laugh (as usual), and last but not least...Kent Stockstill and Jill Abbott. Kent and Jill totally rock and always make sure we are dragging our feet when it comes time to leave OK. Between the out of this world eats (killer breakfast panini and island pork salad this year), the good conversation, fire works, fun times at the fire station, and the self-defense lessons... Kent and Jill are the icing on my Tulsa cake. Thank you!