Race Report Track State Championships ADT

Who: Lauren Jacobsen, Louise Keoghan
What: Masters Track State Championship ADT
Result: Bear Jersey in 500m Team Sprint


As I drove off to base camp at the ADT Velodrome again this morning, I was struck by how fortunate we all are to have such incredible resources and world class support at our fingertips!! In my case I have the Velodrome 30 minutes from my house, a Parkpre track bike that seems to be hot property right now with every track rider, a pair of Zen race wheels from NZ, AND Antony and Lauren --- a world class duo that make the hardest school of knocks seem like summer-camp.

Be warned, when Lauren and Antony ask you to be the second man in a 500m team sprint, you better get serious. They have high standards which is kind of intimidating, yet for some reason completely seductive. Its hard to describe what its like training with these two. For weeks, sweating it out on the track and road I felt I couldn't get anything right, or at least anything that would get more than a slight nod of approval from either of them -- until Friday night!!! The last session before our 500m team sprint it all clicked into place..standing starts, standing up sprints, racing on the black line, exchanges, something about engaging stomach muscles, leg speed, pedal pulling motions, avoiding cones and sponges, and going like mental to the start/finish line, all while looking forward and not down. All we had to do, said Antony, was repeat this combination exactly at the State Championships on Sunday and the rest would look after itself. He has this way of making you believe you'll win. And as he predicted, we did, and were rewarded with a fab 2009 bear jersey and a medal.

Track racing for me, is new and scary but completely exhilarating. It's something everyone should try because its so accessible here in LA, and if you like punishment engage some world champions who won't let you get away with any less than your best.

Thank you Ant and Lauren, and Debbie and Marc for getting us excited about the track!!! I have a feeling your work's not done. Julie is next in line for a State Jersey. She was there today racing her heart out for the very FIRST time? Next victim please.