i don't know what time i got up, but i did, had some breakfast and then didn't know what to do - the race wasn't until noon! eric headed out to his race prolly around 9:30, just as i was finishing up a PBJ. then i sat around some more. eventually i decided to start getting my stuff together, changed my clothes, mixed some discontinued LUNA Sport Electrolyte Splash in pink grapefruit and headed out the door. i rode out by the same Private Property/No Trespassing sign that took me out on Friday and made it through A-OK. i headed through the short cut and up the road and then i realized i forgot my bottle with the LUNA Sport Electrolyte Splash in pink grapefruit. i determined i was too far on my way to turn around, but now i think i should have....
i got to the race site and registered. then i went out for a short loop through the course, riding the descent at the beginning and doing a little climbing. i headed to the car to take off my jacket, my vest, the arm warmers and knee warmers because by now i was sweating. i did a little more riding around, and some chatting and then got ready to line up.
they called up the women first! which was an interesting twist that no one expected. then we were off. i had a good start and was 2nd into the single track and into that descent. i was worried about being up front since i'm not a great descender but i stuck to the front girl's wheel and didn't let a gap form. after maybe 5 or so minutes the girl in the lead bobbled and went down. i took the lead! it was kind of fun since not only was i in front of my field, but i was in front of the entire category! but not for long. the SSers that started 3 minutes back started to catch me 10 or so minutes in but i hit the total tight hair pin turn at the end of the 1st lap with only 3 guys ahead of me. going into that turn i had two guys right behind me - i told them i was going to take it painfully slow and actually almost ate it right there in front of everyone but managed to only put a foot down and get going quickly again, and those guys took off. i was so sad to not have my electrolyte drink, but chugged some water on the gravel road and then it was into the descent again. the course was hard an the mud was sticky. i was working hard and it was tough.
i was getting passed by more of the men, but i was happy with how i was riding and how hard i was working. as one guy was passing me, we totally bumped and leaned into each other, but we both stayed up right! whew! i was happy about that! then on one of the climbs one of the jr boys fell into me and i had to stop and get off and run up. the 2nd place girl was right there at the bottom of the hill! she was right on me for at least 1/2 of the 2nd lap and most of the 3rd lap until she passed me 1:02 into the 1:08 race! doh!! once she passed me she took off and gained a minute on me. it was fun, yes i would have liked to have won, but i was happy with my riding and how hard i pushed. plus i know the girl is a good racer, she works hard and when push comes to shove she can really push. then off to the car to change into my running stuff. i really could have used that electrolyte drink. i had taken a clif shot with 1 lap to go and then had a few moons at the car. then i was off. gracious. for the first 17 minutes i was dying. pretty sure i was going to pass out right there and be eaten by the bears. but then i started to feel better. i did have to walk some of the hills, but i ran for most of it. i was not going fast. i was supposed to pick it up for the 2nd 1/2hr but yeah, i was just doing what i could to hang on. my hammys were cramping but i kept going. ok, so i did have to stop once or twice to check the trail maps, but i was working harder than i did in ogden. not sure if i was going any faster but at least i was running and working hard. i got onto the pavement for the last 10 minutes and finally kicked it up a notch. it was tough but managed the whole hour. yikes! vegas is going to be hard!!
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