Back on a start line after two months out of racing - not gonna lie it was a big shock to the system.⁠ ⁠ Not just throwing myself into a 90-min crit after having COVID, but just trying to balance everything has been really tough over the past few weeks. PhD write up, plus the return to coaching. So much so that I almost didn't make it to the start line! ⁠ ⁠ Never have I ever been so stressed about actually making it to a race - I rushed over from work last Saturday and was stuck in traffic, watching the ETA get later and later. I turned up with literally 10 mins to spare, and somehow managed to sign on, get changed and sort out my bottles. Don't ask me how, I was on edge the whole time.⁠ ⁠ I hung on for about 30 mins in the actual race, before getting dropped, then lapped 20 mins later. It was tough but I knew it would be and it was good to see where I'm at before I had back to the track over the winter. ⁠ ⁠ Plus, I finally got to test out the 404 Firecrests from Zipp that have been patiently waiting for their race debut! 🔥 ⁠ Lungs are good, legs aren't quite there yet, but it's good to be back! ⁠ ⁠ 📸 @frankie_snells_photography ⁠ ⁠ #representationmatters #diversityincycling #SRAM #SRAMbassador #ZippSpeed #SpecializedAmbassador #tarmacsl7 #critracing ⁠