batt-n-yo-yo

Battenkill Race Report: April 10, 2010, Audrey Scott, Women's Pro/1/2, 62 miles, 4000 ft of climbing, Result: 12th out of 51 finishers
So I think I will stick with the theme of dichotomies. This time: is it mind over muscle or muscle over mind? In my field, Battenkill was a race of attrition, with the peloton being whittled down every time we went over another of the four main climbing sections in the race. The first is a steep dirt pitch that comes 9 miles in, after a couple of nasty rollers, and two sharp turns. The starting field of 55 or so was a squirrely mess as we all fought for position into the covered bridge and onto the first dirt sections. Even the paved roads are awful in this section, with the edges of the road a chewed up mess. Not too far in, the unmistakable screech and twang of carbon fiber going down hard came from beside me and all I saw was a bike in the road with tires no longer attached. I was hanging out near the back and edges, not wanting to be in the middle of the pack if someone decided to swerve around a pothole and take us all out. So I picked my way through people going backward up that first climb but was gapped off the leaders anyway, and the first chase was on. I picked up a few people and after a few minutes of panic we caught back up to settle in for the lull until the next climbs. There were a few surges and a break of 2 for a bit, but the wind was blowing hard so it was suicide to be out of the protection of the group, by now a bit smaller already. The second main climb is a set of steps that go forever. Again, I was gapped from the leaders and again had to chase back on in the wind, collecting a few others along the way but never seeing some others again. The third climb is a set of 3 big dirt rollers, dead straight and steep so you can see them coming. Again, I was gapped from the leaders and again chased back on, with fewer left this time. The final climb is dirt as well, and rolls up and up. Maybe it's not so bad, but at 55 miles in, it's not easy. Again, I was gapped. But there was no chasing all the way back this time because the finish line beckoned. Judging by the finish times, there was a front group of 2, followed by a group of 5 , followed by a group of 4, followed by my group of 4. I was glad to win the sprint out of my group, and not unhappy with the final result. But, today's questions: Is there any limit to what you can push your body to do if you have the mental strength to do it? Are you really maxed out or is it just your head that's had enough? A little food for thought. On to the next test.
-a