The Fourth

I used to be the eighth. Somehow I would manage to get eighth in races all the time. Didn't really matter how big the field was - due to forces completely within my control, I would fight to be in the top ten at the end of the race, but then always lacked the confidence, aggressiveness and maybe fitness to scratch, claw and dig to get up into the podium circle.

Well, I'm still trying to figure out how to get onto the podium, but it finally seems like I've got one foot lifting towards the steps. I've become the fourth.

Cirque du Cycling Criterium - 4th. Salem Fairview Circuit Race - 4th. Vancouver Courthouse Criterium - 4th.

Some non-fourths do exist - add in some Cat 1/2's and I wind up 5th at the weekly circuit race. Take those 1/2's away, add in some Cat 4's (and amazing work by my teammates Eric and Steven) and I wind up winning a weekly circuit race. It seems as though I've figured some things out and done some good training, but I still have much learn (and fitness to get) in order to contest that top spot.

Typical Cat 3 that I am, I really would like to upgrade. Also typical, I'm 35, with a job, wife and child. On my current trajectory, I should make it by the end of the season. I'm doing it the hard way, though, since you need 25 upgrade points and those 4th place finishes are worth up to 3 upgrade points each depending on the size of the field. Yep, consistent 4th places require just that - lots of consistency. In lots of races. But if that's my destiny, I'll take it.

But what will I do if and when I make it to the 2's? I can't imagine training (or recovering) more than I currently do, and that's not enough to really do damage in the 1/2 races. My Cat 2 buddies who are fast ride 15-20 hours a week (or are genetic freaks). If I ride 12 hours, that's a big week. And eight of those hours are commuting - I do try and use that time wisely, but the commute is in the end a commute. I've spent the past four days demolishing my kitchen as part of a remodel. Crowbar and sawzall. I was doing it all morning before the Vancouver Courthouse Criterium this afternoon. No one needs to tell me that it's bad for my racing, but it's got to be done and I'm the one that has to do it (unless we win the lottery).

Well, I guess I will suffer in those 1/2 races. Really suffer. And I'll keep doing the Cat 1/2/3 weekly series I enjoy so much. Yep, you don't have to be a 1/2 to race with them for some races.

But I will be so happy if I am.

Joshua/CycloSportif