Firehouse 50
From: Berde, Sherry
Date: Aug 6, 2007 10:39 AM
Firehouse 50
50 miles
4 women TT
2 hours 23 minutes plus some change.
Avg speed, 21 MPH.
3rd place/5 teams.
First Place, 2 hours 21 minutes, plus
Second Place, 2 hours 21 minutes, plus
RECORD for 4 women TT (Berde, Musser, Sturla, Reynolds, 2002)
Still holds at 2 hours 10 minutes plus!
Julia Mairs (GP), Colleen Gegen, Jules Taylor and myself completed the
4 women team trial at the firehouse 50 event last Saturday.
We practiced 3 times (full team) and we did a race together at the
Tuesday Nite Time Trial last Tuesday where we learned what our
limitations were. We knew going into the event that we would need to
pace the hills.
Our event started at 7:32 AM. We arrived to the course at 6:45 AM.
Had a good/easy warm up. It appeared to be calm and the weather was
coolish. The team got to the line before me, while I was back at the
car putting my hydration aero camel back into my skin suite. Colleen
had initially helped me but screwed it up by tucking it into my jog
bra, which bunched it up. It took a while to figure this out. I got
to the start line with only 30 seconds to spare. Julia put my ankle
timing band on, and off we went.
Mile 1-12. First five miles were tough for our group. The race
starts with about a 5 mile climb over the divide. Our goal was to
pace this section and get over the hills! We passed the last place
group on the hills. And then we were “sorta” ready to go. The next 5
miles were also challenging basically getting into sync, and getting
our head back in the race. I reevaluated our goals (time for 2 hours
15- 17 minutes, was clearly not going to happen and told myself
finishing together, safe and sound, is the way to go!)
Mile 13-24. The gentle rollers/flat section. This was a section to
start making up time. We worked really well together on this part of
the course, and clearly it was the best section for us. Our average
picked up from 18 mph to 20.5. We all felt really good. We passed
the 4th placed team after we took the corner, ready for the rough road
section.
Mile 25-42. Rough road, windy, narrow, and somewhat hilly, never
ending. Racers tend to ride towards the middle of the road in the
woods. It is difficult to pass racers (passed several individuals
doing a solo TT). This is the section where I heard many groans,
screams, etc. and the non verbal were strong as well. At one time
Jules yelled out to me and Julia “We are not going to finish the race
with you two up the road.” “Gap Gap Gap”, was often heard during the
day. I wondered if we would be on talking terms after the event.
Mile 42-50. 8 miles to go to Grandview. Tail wind. Lots of people
on the road to pass. I feel the excitement of our team finishing
together, intact. Or MPH increases to 21 mph.
The last corner was tight, but we took it all well. We quickly saw the
finish banner.
I was very happy to finish this race together with friends.
Thanks for reading. Sherry.