Scheldecross, Race # 1, Belgium

So as Derrick has already posted about our results today. I'll give you a little more info on how the race went. It is pretty different racing in Europe, but some things are still the same, we got to the race with what seemed like lots of time but is never the case in cross. By the time I had my numbers on and was changed and everything I had 60 minutes to the start. I roled around for about 20 minutes trying to figure out when we could get on the course and the last race was ended. When I was on, Derrick and I did a few laps (not nearly or clearly enough time to figure out the lines in the sand) and then I had about 15 minutes to start. It is really ridiculously hard to get around a race venue in Belgium without going on the course, but I still managed to get to the start line.
So I get second line call up, which normally in a cross race, each line has 8 girls in it. Not today.........yeah there was 8 in the first, but then like 20 or so in the second, not only that, the girls in the second row, roled there bikes between the girls in the front row seconds from the start. I was trying to understand what the starter was saying and when we were going to go, obvouisly nothing makes sense to me in flemish. The race started, correction.....the race obviously was a false start and I was way back in 20 something going into the first corner. I guess the rule in Belgium is that false starts are legal. Unfortunately, my housemates (Wendy Simms and Barb Howe) and I didn't know this. Got around a few girls before the first sand section but not enough. Then I didn't get the line right in the second sand and it costed me a bit more time. Rode around the first two laps or so with a couple other girls and let them lead into the sand and crash in front of my face. As soon as the 3rd lap started I had figured out the right lines to follow and I dropped the 3 girls that I was with. Started gaining on the riders ahead but not enough time left to get them.
It was really good to be back racing again. I know I've only been off a couple weeks but it is really easy to loose the feel of the bike right now, especially when it's so cold in Canada and there is so much snow that you are lucky if you get one good ride done outside every week. I feel like I didn't go too hard today, just tried to ride smooth and not push the limits too hard and crash all over the place. Which is good, as I have never done 3 races in 3 days in a row. So hopefully I will gradually improve over the next 2 days.
So tomorrow is another day and another race. I am aiming on atleast one top 10 finish while I am here in europe, which I am thinking either this Saturday or Sunday is my shot at this. Derrick raced really well today. Accomplished the goal of not getting lapped by the superstars he was racing against. Koodoos to him!
Tomorrow looks pretty challenging. A huge sand hill, probably man made, looks really hard, don't think anyone will be riding it.......stayed tuned to see if my running legs are with me at tomorrows race!
NCE