MN States
MN States
Bam! The left side of my knee slides across the dirt filled grass as I approach the back side barriers. In that instant I was reminded of a voice “anybody can ride a bike fast.” Up to that point I had moved from last line in the start to midfield and by all accounts was happy. A lap after the first crash and the previous point was driven home again with a muddy section cornering into asphalt. I got back up and tried unsuccessfully to chase back on with Constant. Was taking names on the dirt road like roadies should, but was getting drilled by all the sections that put the cross into cyclo. Game over, but this is what I love about cross. Anywhere you find yourself in almost any race brings it’s own drama. So I hunkered down and battled.
We keep writing it blog post after post: Cross is hard. There are elements to master and like a kung fu fighter we must learn each weapon if we’ll ascend above. So, you’re super fit and can ride a bike fast. That’s just great. But can you handle your bike in 6 inches of sand or some slop-jack mud that sits atop a zig-zag? Can you hit a double barrier at full speed with the poise of a ballet dancer? I’ve often gazed on at the 1/2 field in amazement as some of them will fly in planting only one foot down and proceed through barriers at full throttle. “Someday”, I tell myself, “someday.” That kind of maneuver takes serious guts even if you’ve been at it for 16 years.
It’s addicting to be pushed this hard and there are slivers of glory to be had running those stairs at Bassett Creek Park. I’m storing those memories of crazed fans and dollar bill draped stairs for the winter months when I don’t feel like strapping myself to the trainer. It’s time to focus on the real season.
-TG
