Long, Steve

Right on Jan. There's a good barometer for your fitness, if you throw
the hammer down and the chit-chat doesn't stop, you need to improve your
fitness... ;-)

________________________________

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Jan Moss
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 1:14 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org; obra-request@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Senior Women's Racing

I'll chime in.

I'm worried that if the women stop showing, the races will stop. So, I
keep on showing. Some races I know will be very difficult for me, and my
goal becomes "hang for XXmiles" or "Try to chase someone down". Some
races I believe I will do well in, then my goal is different. All I know
is that for me I never simulate race pace outside of a race, so I have
to go to races to improve. Sometimes that means I'm handed up a big
piece of humble pie, sometimes not. Sometimes I grumble and moan and
complain about the weather, sometimes I have a grin on because of
perfect conditions.

I understand that we all have issues (family, training, travel, etc...)
that keep us from racing, but we all show some interest in the sport, so
don't wait for the perfect conditions, Just Do It. Even if you don't do
well, it is fun to see everyone and mix it up after the race (women do
like to socialize...even competitive women)

I really do not want to race with men. Sorry, but you boys are no fun
and you stink. I want to race with women. We all had to learn somehow.
For me, veteran riders showed me a lot. Maybe if we race with the 4's we
can point out their sketchiness and help them improve. Just leaving them
to fend for themselves is not going to improve their skills. (4's you
must be willing to listen to advice) If you believe the women's field
are too easy and you dont want chit chat...well, as someone told me
early on..crank up the pace and put the hurt down, that ends chatting
right quick., and improves your conditioning as well as your results.

The one thing I would like to see is that the women's fields grow and
that we get more teams showing to races. I race occasionally in WA and
the races are much different when you add in team tactics. We dont get
that on a routine in OR and it is a ton of fun...but you need the
numbers. So the weather is improving, the racing is more frequent, I
hope to see old faces and new out at the races and I for one will
welcome them happily.

Jan

Jan Moss

I'll chime in.

I'm worried that if the women stop showing, the races will stop. So, I keep on showing. Some races I know will be very difficult for me, and my goal becomes "hang for XXmiles" or "Try to chase someone down". Some races I believe I will do well in, then my goal is different. All I know is that for me I never simulate race pace outside of a race, so I have to go to races to improve. Sometimes that means I'm handed up a big piece of humble pie, sometimes not. Sometimes I grumble and moan and complain about the weather, sometimes I have a grin on because of perfect conditions.

I understand that we all have issues (family, training, travel, etc...) that keep us from racing, but we all show some interest in the sport, so don't wait for the perfect conditions, Just Do It. Even if you don't do well, it is fun to see everyone and mix it up after the race (women do like to socialize...even competitive women)

I really do not want to race with men. Sorry, but you boys are no fun and you stink. I want to race with women. We all had to learn somehow. For me, veteran riders showed me a lot. Maybe if we race with the 4's we can point out their sketchiness and help them improve. Just leaving them to fend for themselves is not going to improve their skills. (4's you must be willing to listen to advice) If you believe the women's field are too easy and you dont want chit chat...well, as someone told me early on..crank up the pace and put the hurt down, that ends chatting right quick., and improves your conditioning as well as your results.

The one thing I would like to see is that the women's fields grow and that we get more teams showing to races. I race occasionally in WA and the races are much different when you add in team tactics. We dont get that on a routine in OR and it is a ton of fun...but you need the numbers. So the weather is improving, the racing is more frequent, I hope to see old faces and new out at the races and I for one will welcome them happily.

Jan