How to race in a criterium race
It made me
Woohoooo!!! 
"I did not win or come close, but I am now addicted to racing!"
How I did it: I just finally signed up and did it. Once I was actually entered in a race, the whole dynamic changed. Then when the day came to go race, it felt like I had only signed up the day before and it had sneaked up on me. I overexerted myself at first and actually took the first lap in a surprise sprint to the front (for just a moment) just as we crossed the line. However, that effort, which was way too much for the end of the first lap, cost me a respectable finish later on. Four laps into the 40 minute race, my pack of riders was pulled from the race because the leader would be passing us by the end of that lap. It isn't a DNF, and we all placed, but not as we wished it would happen.
Lessons & tips:
- Don't train for long distance road racing and expect to race the same in a criterium.
- Stay with the pack no matter what it takes.
- Stay near the front but not "up front".
- Don't get scared of hitting others on the corners. Just go where you know you're supposed to. They don't seem like they will, but they will.
- Don't go all out right at the first of it. You need that energy for the entire 40 minutes. Yet, don't save it al like you are going to need any of it after the race.
Resources:
- Action Wipes
- Rudy Project Helmets
- Tifosi Lenses
- My Team, SkullCandy Racing
- MotorTabs
- Victory Velo Bike Shop
