Why am I so nervous?

Franklin, WI
WORS #7 Alterra Coffee Bean Classic Sunday August 02, 2009
by: Rachael Gatto

I haven’t been nervous for a race in, well I don’t even remember how long…  I was nervous for the Alterra Coffee Bean Classic.  I hate being nervous.  I hadn’t raced in so long, nor have I gotten much riding in.  And the riding I have gotten in has been riding with slower people.  So I had absolutely no idea what I was in for.  Nerve-wracking.
Franklin’s lead out suits me perfectly.  Short climb up to the top and then fast around the cap and then drop right into the singletrack. It’s not long enough to where I fade. Moriah led me and the pack around the cap into the singletrack.  There aren’t very many passing opportunities once in the tight stuff so I hoped we didn’t get plugged too bad.  I was stoked when Moriah let me by right away.  I caught the men shortly after.  I didn’t expect to catch them so soon.  I just stayed patient and asked if I could get by when they had a chance.  We picked off a lot of riders the whole way through the alpha trail.  I wanted to get a gap if I could… I’m not the strongest out in the opens or climbs by far, so the more people I could put between the next gal the better.
Riding up the switchbacks I could see the girls coming out.  I saw Ashley and Meg right behind me.  AHHHH! I led all the way around O’Malleys and then to the start/finish climb.  I knew they’d pass me there. A couple kids passed me, however they weren’t too far ahead and I knew they’d eventually hit traffic in the singletrack.
The girls that passed me on the climb both ended up crashing and I was able to get by. 
The remainder of the second lap I led Meg around knowing she was going to take me on the climb into the finish. I wasn’t strong enough to gap her enough in the singletrack to have a decent lead into the climb. (I so suck at climbing.) I can’t say that I was frustrated, but admit to being bummed knowing that I was going to lose it there.  I tried my hardest but couldn’t match Meg up that hill.  However 2nd overall is fucking awesome and I had a great time to boot.

Hopefully we’ll see everyone again at the Border Battle.