In 2009 I competed in two local cyclocross races and got hooked. To prepare, my training consisted of reading as much as I could online, and watching the international race season via live streams from Belgian television. And hoping for the best.

My first race was at Il Tacchino in November where I raced in the Category 4 class (the lowest class available). I had done some half hearted training leading up to the race, but made it through mostly on my fitness from the weekly local bike shop rides (which I learned pretty rapidly wasn't a whole lot). I finished in the bottom half of the group.

My second race was at the Reston National Capitol Cross where I again raced Category 4. After Il Tacchino, I again did some half hearted training leading up to the race. Though my finishing place improved greatly from Il Tacchino (no longer bottom half), I knew I still wasn't in the best of shape. It was very apparent to me during the practice lap that I was in trouble. I mostly gutted it out and had a respectable finish, but I hurt badly.

Prior to the races I had made friends with the shop manager of the local bike shop I ride with on the weekends, and over the winter he asked to join the shop team after seeing my cross performance. After attending the first team meeting in the late winter and meeting the other road, MTB and cross racers, I decided I wanted to race more this season.

This blog will document my progress with preparing myself for the upcoming season.

The first race is September 26. 131 days away from today.