Marathon Series-2008

Mountain bike: Marathon -endurance distance

December 5th, Rock Springs, Camp Eagle
Place: 1st Women Open
Conditions were wet and Slick. The Open Women lined up on the line with the Open Men and the race was a Mass Start. I really didn't have anyone in my class, so I knew this was going to be a training ride for me, but the conditions were slick, so priority was to stay Safe. Now, some people may think you have to be crazy to race this course in wet conditions, let alone race it for a marathon race. The course is very technical, which I just love, plus we did the first section backwards, so a lot of climbing. I srint out, and stay in top 7, but, I never see Toby, apparently he flatted within the first 200 meters of the race. As soon as we hit the creek beds, we have pile ups, I figure I am going to work on my cycle cross skills. This actually worked out well, since I hardly ever get to practice riding in the mud. There were 9 or so women who started the race, and only 3 were able to finish. See, in the Marathon races they have a cut off lap, so if you don't make it, you get pulled.

Jan. 5th Excruciation Exam, "Torture Test"
1st Place, Open Women

This was a tough race. This was a La mans start, where you set your bike down and run a loop back to your bike then, into the trail at Warda for a lap. I had a descent start, there were soo many people , I got back to my bike and had to hit hard to get up towards the front. We get into the woods, a bit hard to pass people, I was behind Nathan Winklemen who was on a cross bike, I was able to get around still in the top 5 I would say, though, I could see the fast roadie guys coming hard behind me when we hit the field, I stayed in front as we go down the descent , and then Eric Hess comes around and Sol Frost, I start to fade a bit before the end of the lap, but, know I have to go hard to get back up to the front for the road ride portion. I wasn't feeling so great, as I felt like i had too much in my stomach.. So, I hit hard on the road, finally catch up to the group, and Bennett Brown lets out Gas! yes he FArted. I was trying not puke.. but, couldn't help it, and end up puking! No Worries, I simply go around and I am In. Until we hit the first check point, where you have to get your map signed. Well, my guy was a bit slow, as I finally get my paper back and into my jersey, everyone is sprinting off. I am left with Eric Hess and we work towards the pack. At one point I am looking down going 25mph on my mtb in the wind!! I couldn't maintain this, and Eric slowly walks away from me. I am thinking this is just great. I am left on the road , fortunately were about 10 miles to Smithville where we ride trail. I finally arrive, and fuel up, and am told the guys are about 30 sec. in front of me. Cool. Though, the trail had been rated by cows, so some of the ribbons were down. So, I come to an intersection and dont know where to go, so I go left, and ended up being the wrong way, so, I turn back to the point I made the left turn, go right and back on track. So, for most of the trail I wasn't sure if I was headed in the right direction. I finally run into old team mate, Cody Baron, and I am releived. We rode together for awhile and I came around on the climbs, and started feeling great. Back to the road, and ride up to Tristen Uhl and Bennet Brown, I dont think they were really wanting to go hard, so when we came upon another rider, we ended up dropping the boys. Back to Warda for a bit of trail left. I ended up seeing Toby .. OOOHHH I got a bit excited, If I only knew he was right there..hehe.... I finished without a sprint. It feels to get that race off the schedule. Not as hard as I remembered , pretty happy about my time. I think it was around 87 miles ?

Miles Of Discomfort~ Jan. 26th

Another technical race.... I had a horrible Start. They started the Open Women behind All of the Marathoners. and it was a Mass Start. So, they start the race, and there is a pile up before the first corner. So, I am going along the side of the climb, just simply trying to get around. And again, another pile up, as we hit the first technical section.. This was horrible, I couldn't get around, there were people running there bikes around the trail .. As we finally get rolling. I am in recovery Zone.. Thinking.. Are we racing or What??? That morning, I woke up in the middle of the night with Hives and wasn't sure what was wrong.. Of course, I started the race and forgot all about them. But, thought something was wrong.. Since, I was going sooo Slow.. I would try to get around, by riding off the trail, onto the rough terrain. But, NOOOO the guys would speed up so I couldn't get around. My derailleur hangar ends up getting hit and now my gears are skipping in the back. This was going to be a tough race, I was just thinking.. that I am going to get passed by the girls. at this rate. Well, never got passed by a girl, but things starting to turn around, as I finally stop to pull my derailler hangar straight. Okay, things are going good. and I start to turn it on.. Then, all of a sudden I am off my bike. I had a bad crash.. nothing technical, but My foot must have hit a rock, and me and my bike came flying off the trail. I get up and notice my computer on the ground, I try to pick it up and I could hardly close my fingers. I think I may have broken my hand, oh it hurt so bad. Well, I get back on and way I go. This was only the first half lap.. Though, after all of this, I start to race well . and have a strong finish. But, I was not happy with my time. (same time as last year) Should have been 15 min. faster.