(from left to right) Kate Gracheck in her Stars & Stripes earned in the Team Pursuit

 Report by Kate Gracheck

The past 11 months have been some of the best and worst months of my life. Last September I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, just 9 days after racing my bike at collegiate track nationals and 23 days after my 29th birthday. I spent the next four months in doctors’ offices and hospitals as I went through diagnostic testing, chemotherapy, and radiation. I beat cancer in 12 weeks time but had to go through 20 days of radiation afterwards to make sure all of the cancer cells were dead.

I was determined to not let cancer define me and stood apart from most patients as I told my nurses to take the optional drugs out of my chemo regime on the first day. I also told my nurse that I was going to race at the USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships the following year and was going to win a jersey. Well, I did exactly that and was blessed enough to win two races and set a national record 11 months after my diagnosis.

The morning of the Points race, I woke up singing “I Gotta a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas and knew it was going to be a good day. I was very nervous as I knew the Points race was going to be tough. We were combined with the 35-39 age group which means our field tripled in size and was composed of many talented riders. But, I wanted that jersey more than anything and knew I had a good shot at it. My main competition was another local rider who I beat in our state championship Points race last month. Having beat her once, I knew I could do it again if I had a really good night and rode smart. I got on to warm-up and was happy with how my legs recovered after the pursuit on Wednesday. After 20 minutes on the track, I got on my trainer and went through my warm-up routine. My legs were heavy but working through it. Once I got back on the track for our final warm-up before the race, I felt awesome. The gun went off and it was show time. My biggest competitor scored two points on the first sprint. Then another girl in my group scored one point on the next sprint. That put me in third and I knew I needed to get going and get points fast. I went for the next sprint and caught the wheel of a 35-39 age group woman. We gapped the field and went 1-2 in the sprint. I was now winning my race and the jersey was in reach. The next sprint I was a bit out of position and then had a great lead-out for the final sprint. I pulled a rookie mistake (went at 520 meters) but managed to keep my lead as none of my age group scored any points. Crossing that finish line I knew I had won. I had won a national championship jersey in exactly 11 months after my diagnosis. It was an incredible feeling and so wonderful to have so many fans and friends cheering me on through the race and onto the top of the podium.

Two days later, I was back at the track and warming up for the 3km team pursuit. Back in October as I set my eyes on USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships and a jersey, I recruited my good friend Renee Eastman (Natural Grocers) to race the team pursuit with me. She agreed but did not really think much of it at the time. As we warmed up Sunday morning, both Renee and I as well as our third rider Ingrid Alongi (Boulder, CO), knew we had a really good shot at winning the race despite never having practiced the team pursuit together. We each knew how to ride a team pursuit and how to do the exchanges; it was just a matter of getting our flow right and communicating during the race. I lead the race out and we went for 1/2 lap pulls through most of the race. That race was the most painful four minutes of my life but also the most fun four minutes of my life. I was on the rivet after the first kilo and never watched the laps as I was so focused on holding Ingrid’s wheel and strong pulls. I was excited to hear the bell ring and we pushed hard into the home straight. No team beat our time and I was once again standing on top of the podium as a national champion with my teammates. Not only were we national champions but we were also American record holders. That win also made me a two time national champion and national record holder 11 months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Looking back at the USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships and my diagnosis, cancer played a huge role in my determination to win a jersey this year. I did not want cancer to define me but I also wanted to prove it was not going to affect me past my treatment. I began training in March and gave everything I had to my training when I was on the bike but also gave everything I had to rest and recovery as my body could not handle what it used to. Somebody asked me what I did differently this year as I have been riding much better than I ever have. I told him I got cancer. In truth, that is what changed between last year and this year. I took six months off of training and “exercised.” When I came back to training, I knew I had to rest more. I rest more than I ever have but I am also more focused and more determined than I have ever been as I wanted to prove cancer did not get the better of me. I always wanted to be a national champion but once cancer took over I got angry and wanted that jersey more than ever before. I wanted it for myself but also all of my young adult cancer friends that have had to fight the fight as well.

Looking forward, I am toying with the idea of racing at Elite Nationals in October. Last October I did not think I would be strong or fit enough to race at Elites and that is why I choose Masters Nationals as my goal. Today I know I am riding better than I ever have and am not ready for my season to end. I am going to train as though I am going to race at Elites and will make a decision as the race gets closer. Unfortunately, my age group is not represented at Masters World Championships so that is not an option for me. In addition, I just finished up my doctoral coursework and am now starting my dissertation. My goal is to have my dissertation complete and defended by next May. After that, I am going to play for the summer before going on my doctoral internship and graduating. I have heard 30’s are best for women. After having such a rough end to my 20’s, I am thoroughly excited to turn 30 and cannot wait to see what the coming year has in store!