UCLA Road Race in Pearblossom 3/3/2018
Edward and I drove up to Palmdale Friday night to be as well rested as possible. We knew we needed to get to the race course by 8am, so we went to bed as soon as we arrived and got up at about 6:30. We had an awesome complimentary breakfast of yogurt parfaits as well as eggs with steamed vegetables and chicken sausage. We packed up the bikes and drove about 30 minutes to the course. This being my first race, I was a bit nervous and frazzled, but I went and got registered, got my numbers pinned on my back, and warmed up for about 15 minutes. Little did I know, this was not nearly enough. Right off of the start line, we were climbing. Zach and I were leading the pack at the start, but after about a mile I realized that there was no reason for me to be taking all the wind (which was 20mph in our faces!), so I peeled off and moved to the middle of the pack. A few minutes later, there was a crash behind me, and I didn’t know who it was, but it turned out that Jonathan’s chain got knocked off, and it took him 5 whole minutes to put it back on, which destroyed his chances of winning the race. The pace was comfortable, but it slowly ramped up, and by halfway up the first climb, there was a breakaway group. As much as I wanted to go with them, I just did not feel my best. It was also raining at this point, but I powered through. I ended up getting 14th place, which I was okay with even though I had expected to be in contention for a podium spot. Zach got second, so at least the team got some points.

CBR Crit in Carson 3/4/2018
I drove to our next hotel after the road race, and grabbed burritos at a famous little family-run place in Palmdale on the way. We got there around 4pm, showered, and then went to get pho at a place nearby. My race on sunday was at 7am, which meant we needed to get to the course by 5 and be up by 4:15. I need my sleep, so right when we got back from dinner, I brushed my teeth and went to bed at about 7:30. I convinced Edward to do the same. We got to the course and there was almost nobody there. It was cold and dark, but I felt rested and ready. I registered and warmed up, and before I knew it my race was starting. My parents happened to be in LA with my little brother, so they came to watch me race, which got me a bit pumped up. Edward and coach Pat were also there watching. Just like Saturday, I started off in the front, and was in a really good position for the first 4 or 5 laps, but as soon as the primes started, I was swarmed and had a very hard time working my way back up to the front. I ended up finishing in the pack, but it was a good race and I learned a lot about conserving energy. Overall a great, fun weekend!