I started this cycling season as a Cat 4 and upgraded to a Cat 3 in fairly quick order. As a Cat 3, I took 2nd in a straight Cat 3 race, 4th in a 2/3 race, and yesterday I took 4th overall in a Pro/1/2/3 race and also took 1st among the Cat 3s in that race. There was only one pro team in that race, and then a fairly even mix of 1s and 2s and 3s. There was break a little before halfway on the first loop; I bridged over a little after the main field turned around at the halfway point. In the breakaway group, we shelled three or four guys, but we also gained the rest of the pro cyclists as three bridged over to us on the second lap.
Even sitting behind the pro team that was doing most of the work was a tough job, especially with the summer heat. If I had to go any harder my legs would have cramped up and I would have had a huge problem trying to finish the race.
Being able to do so well in a tough race, I feel like I’ve summited yet another plateau of fitness. I’m down to what I call my “fighting” weight of 138 (my weight fluctuates between 138 and 143). I can only imagine what would happen if I cut ice cream and beer out of my diet…
Nonetheless, I’ve accomplished both of my goals this season: (1) upgrade to Cat 3, and (2) finish first in a race. My only remaining goal is to finish 6-gap in under 5 hours.
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