This is the true post of Little 500 riders picked to have their lives surrounding America's Greatest College Weekend posted to the web. To find out what happens when the IDS stops just reporting and starts getting real...check here for The Real Ride -- Little 500 style.
Spring break came and went. Now we are only four days away from Qualifications for this year's race. The training that goes into qualifications, the race and series events is based on a specific training regimen. Prior to riding my freshman year, I believed that the Little 500 needed only a few weeks of riding a bicycle. I later found out the Little 500 relied on the time commitment and dedication of a club/varsity sport in comparison to the intramural activity that it is. There are many teams that solely train in the months before the race to qualify, but it later shows in their race day performances. That is the reason that there remain 20 or so teams that consistently base their fall and springs around Little 5 and cycling. The fall becomes a period of base miles, and the spring continues this into harder efforts and track training. Spring break remains the check point in my training, as we take the week to increase our time on the bike and to transfer from road bikes to Little 5 bikes. At the same time, it is a week where there is blood, sweat and a large amount of motivation to prove yourself worthy to race. It is a time to become the rider that you will be for the month ahead.
Everyone packs Qualifications week with as many quality exchanges as possible. Our team included as top teams look to qualify within the first three rows for race day. For those that are unaware of the intricacy that goes into Qual's, it began last night as we pick times to go on Saturday. Every year teams shoot for times throughout the day. Some have traditions of going at 8 a.m., while others prefer 4 p.m. I enjoy some time in the middle because it allows you not to become over anxious, while putting your team and fans at the track during the midpoint in the day. We have been lucky in the past to do our run around a time when the track was fast, and we will see if that is the same this year. As always, clean exchanges make for a great day. It will only take four laps to decide the field for Little 5 2010. Teams will be frantic.
Baxter Burnworth is a senior majoring in International Studies and Geography. He rides for Phi Delta Theta.
