Lily O’Hare, Bishop O’Dowd, Freshman
Popped over to Petaluma Saturday afternoon to pre-ride with my dad and bro. Got in one lap with berry and felt fine. Because I was going slow, the climb felt chill and descents felt sketchy. I didn’t try to go fast at all but I knew when the time would come I’d be struggling. I was also getting pretty congested from all the plant life, which was no fun. We drove home, and I had my first night before a race in my own bed. It was nice to get to sleep at an early hour and rest well. I woke up bright and early and made it to the course at around 7:45. I ate some oatmeal, relaxed with the girls, and got ready to hop on the bikes. My warmup felt fine, nothing noteworthy except that I was feeling far less stressed for this race. I rode up to the start and hung out with the other freshman callups. They were all friendly and they were all feeling the same way I was, which is nice to know. I lined up in the third row, next to fellow south conference rider Risa Sundu. We chatted a little and I was feeling good. I was nervous for the start because this was my first race not starting in the front row. Thanks to berry trading my pedals for his, I clipped in immediately and went off. I was about top ten going into the climb and felt ready to work my way up. I had to do a quick dismount when a girl stopped going up a corner, but it was all good. Now, even though I said the climb felt chill during my pre-ride, it was feeling deadly at race pace. I just didn’t feel fast with all the bumps and turns. I was able to pass some people towards the top and felt good going into the descent. Right after the twisty section in the shade, I got passed by this girl on a full suspension pivot riding flats and I knew she was gonna be ripping the upcoming descent. I made a goal to stay with her until I could make a move on the climb, but if we flash forward that didn’t happen. I did my best going around those turn’s, Berry’s words of advice ringing in my ears. When I got down to the flatter area with all the rv’s, I got passed again. I couldn’t get myself to go fast going over all the bumps, but I promise I did my best. Going up the climb the second time felt a lot better, but it was still brutal. I was able to make some passes, which boosted my morale. Unfortunately, it dropped again as I went down the descent. After I caught up to this one JV rider, a pack of like four freshman flew up and made a pass. Even though I’ve discussed it many times with Caleb, I didn’t hop in with their pass. In that group was Risa and Olivia Hurley, two South Conference riders. That hurt because I knew I had it in my to beat them but I couldn’t execute it. But then I came around one corner and saw Olivia had wiped out. I took my chance to pass and tried to keep this position. As I came down through the field and to the twisty part, I saw Risa about 50 feet in front of me. It was frustrating because I might've had the power to catch her but I just couldn’t put out the necessary watts. Anyhow, I got passed by the varsity girls near the end and finished feeling strong. I got 21st, which was not quite what I was hoping but I think I gave it my all and I actually had some fun. Also had a blast at the team party and during the whole season. What went well: starting and just racing with a bigger field, passing. What to work on: keep up my training over the summer and next season, drink more during races.
Lily O'Hare, freshman girls, Bishop O'Dowd, 21 / 53
