Snelling Road Race 3/1/25

Super fun I wasn't sure what to expect as I haven't done this race since 2018 when I was super fit (but no power on the race bike back then).

It was my first masters road race since nationals 2016 (!) and we raced with cat 3/4/5 and junior women making 30+ starters!!

My two goals were position well into every turn so I don't have to brake and won't get shelled in the wind. And to keep making the selections.

If that happens then hang on and do the least so I can be there for the sprint.

The alto velo cat 3 team is smart and played their hand well, eventually getting 3 of them up the road in a Break with a few other riders as attacks in the 3 rd lap finally stuck.

Then it was all solo riders so I sat in to wait for the sprint. On the final lap I had to put a foot down to avoid a slow-mo crash of two gals, silly crash but that meant a solo chase back to the peloton.

Then about 5 minutes later was the final rollers before the finish and both quads cramped.

I sat down and spun up doing the best I could without burning out. Then put my head down and caught back on.

Into final sprint I knew my quads were ready to cramp again so I sat and spun up fast but stayed seated. Didn't wait for the sorting out of the crazy results but did get 1st masters!

Marissa Axell is the founder of AXN Fitness and Coaching, helping her athletes become badass cyclists by showing them how to become stronger, ride further, and reclaim their mojo all while training less.