First (real) Crash of the Season!

I'm just really glad it finally happened....I was actually starting to get nervous that I was saving it for race day. Today's crash was sort of like that skiing crash that you always warn people about...the one that happens on the last run of the day near the bottom of the hill. I rode my L1 35 miler along Marine Drive, and I started pretty late so I was really aware of the fading light and rode fast, but carefully. It was a gorgeous still evening, and the view on the way back was of the sun setting over the water so I was pumped and feeling amazing on the ride. It was totally effortless, and although my bike computer wasn't charged I swear I was flying. It was one of those moments when I realized how far I have come with all this training...I was down on the aero bars feeling totally comfortable, weaving in and out of the people on the path without any difficulty, and wanting to ride forever! So, practicing some sharp u turns in the parking lot seemed like the perfect ending to my ride.

I did about eight almost flawlessly, feeling more and more comfortable with the tips Julie had given us. Mainly, to go out wide, keep the inside foot up, press down on the outside foot and turn tightly by looking at where we are heading. Simple as it sounds, boy does that work! Anyway, on the very last turn right before I was headed back to my car I just went down hard as I came around on the sharp part of the turn. I honestly had no time to react and I am still a bit unsure of what happened. The logical explanation is that I had my inside foot down instead of up, and it caught on the ground and tripped me. But, I don't remember it dragging and I had done eight correct turns just prior so its hard to imagine I spaced out like that....but, I've done stranger things for sure. Its also possible that there was some gravel I didn't really notice...but again, seems like I would have seen it on previous turns. Anyway, it may just have to be a mystery!

The strange thing is that as I was driving home wondering if Charles would be able to fix my bike (gearing/brake component was shifted out of place) and wishing the blood dripping down my forearm and palm would coagulate so that I could focus on driving, I found myself almost laughing with relief because it just needed to happen....I just needed to crash and get it out of my system before the race. The truth of the matter is that I am so glad I crashed tonight. Now I have the requisite badge of honor!