Ayatollah of Rock and Roller?

So my costume was a flat fuck failure. I tried to go for this whole SKA theme, but was mistaken for a roller derby chick. What the hell! Operation Ivy my ass, Lebair. I was thinking Selector, Specials, English Beat...you younguns and your crazy new music. (Bonus points to someone who can identity the film my title alludes to).
Kudos to Wade Hessfor both his awesome costume and 'cross course. Even though I deliver consistently poor showings at Beacon, I always have fun. This time, the hubby came along to try and coax bass out of the lake. No luck there.

Kudos also to the B Woman and Masters 45+. I have had more fun this year reconnecting with veterans and getting to know rookie crossers. It is a really fun, supportive community. How impressive was my cross camp pal Lindsay? And Kim, finishing despite a nasty, painful tumble? And Katrina, dragging us all around the course? I don't really mean all those nasty threats and taunts I make to the roadies. You're awesome, and I have nothing but the utmost respect. Please be advised that I will resort to name calling, however, if Ali or Caitlin passes me one more time. And as for you, Teresa D---just wait til Fair Hill, missy. Just wait.

Houseguest Lindsay Hillsheim raced to an impressive 3rd in the B women, while Jimmy Rock hung in there for 3rd in his U19 group.I give him credit for negotiating the Amphitheatre of Pain and the sand pit--all 4' 10" and 80 pounds of him. I managed to stay upright so I snagged 3rd although I would have been 4th if Jill hadn't thrown herself out of contention. So, we had 3 third place finishers in the car on the way home.

Jimmy received a talking to from the officials after the race for receiving assistance after he crashed into the barriers and tangled himself up in tape. He didn't ask for assistance, but kind spectators couldn't resist helping the little kid who just crashed in a tough race. The official sort of badgered the boy until I finally asked, "So is he DQd? Just let me know so we don't waste our time going to get his medal." The subtext there was, "And thanks for making him feel bad about himself by treating him like a cheater. I'm sure he'll be looking forward to his next race. Way to engender a love of the sport."

I'm all for following the rules, but for cripe's sake, the kid is 11 and in his fourth cross race (Nittany, Whirly, Providence...yep, fourth) trying to figure stuff out. Where were the officials when women in my race at Whirly Bird were getting water bottles from their boyfriends (plural and anonymous to protect the guilty and besides I don't really care)? Seriously, it's a U19 race and yes he will learn the rules eventually but back the fuck off for now. Mama Bear is pissed.

Beacon Haiku:

long runs on the beach
a road race with brutal stairs
perhaps training works?

sand sand sand sand sand
climb climb climb climb climb climb climb
sand sand sand sand sand

Awake! The crack of dawn
whispers pack the car again
I just can't stop it

I almost spit when I woke up Sunday to rain and the bullshit extra hour. 10 am start time + bs hour + same old same old x rain = here we go again. Highland Park seemed sparsely attended this year, but that could because we no longer race with the C men so it's an illusion.I schlep a mud-infested bike while the boy contemplates calling Human Services and requesting new parents who will give him a bike that weighs less than he does.
Who is a little bad ass? That's right. Jimmy Rock Maurer.
Highlights from HPCX included the mud which changed in consistency throughout the day and the A Masters men's race. Both days, the Master Men impressed the hell out of me. And don't even get me started on the Bahnson kid. Wow. Don't even get me started on Kelly Cline's sprint finish or Kevin St Clair arriving with half the course tape stuck in his bike like a newlywed couple's car.

Looking forward to Fair Hill and Spring Mountain. I can't believe the season is almost over. It seems like Charm City was last week. I am concerned that time is flying and will make a point of enjoying every second I can of what's left of the season.

PS: Thanks to Dennis Smith for the awesome photos.