When I got up this morning, Tom announced that it was 52 degrees outside. That is a tad chilly for an Arizonian! Getting ready to go, I was on the fence about warming up with arm warmers. I put them on and took them off several times in the truck. Then for once, a hot flash came at a perfect time: no arm warmers it was and that was a good choice as I did not need them ever. We got our legs marked, met my competitors, and off we go.
I always feel like I get dropped off the start, but I settle in and find a place. There are tons of roads to make passes. Actually, the course is 80% roads.
As soon as it went up I made some passes and got sight of the leader and started reeling her in. I eased up before a steep ramp and she went out of sight. As I entered the single track I saw her approaching from off the course. Apparently she over shot the entrance. I starred passing right away trying to put people between us, but she was a strong rider and I could here her breathing through the whole trail. I passed a racer, she passed the racer too. We had 2 ladies in front of us so I could not ride faster, but that was good because any faster and I would have been flailing and slipping on roots.
As soon as I got on the road, she made a pass. I managed to keep her in sight and reeled her back in on the machine made roller coaster downhill. There was a short cut over flat rocks that made for a better set up at the exit and she missed it and ended up in the tape. I rode right by and clued her in where she should go next time. I am not sure if that was a good idea, since she ended up beating me, but that is just the way I fly.
She passed me up the next climbs, but just as soon as I thought she got away, I saw that I was still close. I reeled her back in by root single track and rode her wheel all the way down. She was a good rider for sure. On the road it looked like she was gassing out so I passed her. We went back and fourth several times. I am a steady type and usually do not do that sort of thing, but it was good and pushed us both. I saw the downhill coming and made a major effort to pass and take the lead. She passed me back for the last time on the middle climb. I tried to reel her back in, but did not see her on roller coaster. Once out on the last climb, I could see her and shadow her pace, but not close in. I was at my fitness limit.
I ended up 42 seconds back from her, but shaved 7 minutes off of my time from last year on the same course. I went into this race feeling Iike I would do worse than last year, but I was better for sure. My time was competitive in the younger age groups too, which is a huge accomplishment, especially on a year when I have been struggling with fitness. I would have loved to win, but being beat and putting in a good race is better than not going at all.
I just took a walk in the woods and this is a beautiful place! I wish more of the race was actually in the woods and not just on roads. I said it 10 years ago and I will say it again: "I doubt I will race here again".