Firsts. Endurance Mountain Biking.
So in all fairness, when I signed up I'd envisioned more mountain bike riding in my future. But somewhere between signing up for my first endurance mountain bike event and race day it just never seemed to materialize. Last year on the heels of some solid 8-hour endurance races on her mountain bike, Jessica started pitching the 2011 Cool 8 hour Mountain Bike Race. Friends, mountains, activity? Yes, please.
Ever the alpha and with the illusion of weekends of biking ahead, I joined Jessica and signed up for the 8 hour solo event. Dana and Tina combined forces for the team event and the boys, well naturally, they all opted for solo.
Fast forward to the night before the race and my cumulative training log:
1. Put air in tires.
2. Pack super cute new shirt for race day.
I wish I could spin a tale of overcoming hardship and rising up from the jaws of defeat, of pushing to previously unthinkable limits and finding strengths hidden deep inside. But with my ego tucked safely in bed back at home, the day stretched quietly, calmly before me; there for the taking, there for the leaving. The challenge just to avoid getting trampled by frontrunners, hurting myself on a fall and finishing at least one lap.
I'll spare you the suspense - Lap 1 cruised by effortlessly in the company of Tina with Lap 2 following eventually, after some chair time at camp watching my friends roll through, refuel, stretch and head back out almost immediately. You know...like a race. Two down. Would it be enough? Would I be happy with 20 miles over 8 hours? Would I eat more snacks than I burned calories for?
Jessica cruised in not doing well. It was not to be her day. But low on blood sugar and energy, she was still willing to go back out and shamed me into joining her for a "friendly" lap. I'd intended to go out for another go but who knows if I'd lingered around longer and Jessica had said let's have a beer instead of let's go ride...or let's open the Goldfish or let's take a nap. I was too fluid for my own good.
And so we headed back out for another lap. This even slower, my hands cramping, saddle soreness impending, the small inclines now major hills, the trails a little more chewed up. I was done. Discomfort > enjoyment meant it was time. Elated to make it back to camp I didn't even consider a 4th lap, stripping off my bike shoes, grabbing a chair and opening a beer to watch the rest of the race.
I came in last in my age group but was way more stoked with the 31+ miles I'd just put in. I'd forgotten how much fun mountain biking could be on a forgiving (read: not technical) course. And Dana and Tina swept the women's team division as the only entrees in that category! Spent a day in great company watching the highs and lows unfold, enjoyed spectacularly kind and scenic trails, good food, laughter, sweat, a new challenge. It was a nice change to roll up to an event with no expectations and go with the flow. I think I might even feel the stirring of an inclination to sign up again in 2012. And maybe train a little. So I can say I mountain bike with a semi-straight face.
Ever the alpha and with the illusion of weekends of biking ahead, I joined Jessica and signed up for the 8 hour solo event. Dana and Tina combined forces for the team event and the boys, well naturally, they all opted for solo.Fast forward to the night before the race and my cumulative training log:
1. Put air in tires.
2. Pack super cute new shirt for race day.
I wish I could spin a tale of overcoming hardship and rising up from the jaws of defeat, of pushing to previously unthinkable limits and finding strengths hidden deep inside. But with my ego tucked safely in bed back at home, the day stretched quietly, calmly before me; there for the taking, there for the leaving. The challenge just to avoid getting trampled by frontrunners, hurting myself on a fall and finishing at least one lap.
I'll spare you the suspense - Lap 1 cruised by effortlessly in the company of Tina with Lap 2 following eventually, after some chair time at camp watching my friends roll through, refuel, stretch and head back out almost immediately. You know...like a race. Two down. Would it be enough? Would I be happy with 20 miles over 8 hours? Would I eat more snacks than I burned calories for?Jessica cruised in not doing well. It was not to be her day. But low on blood sugar and energy, she was still willing to go back out and shamed me into joining her for a "friendly" lap. I'd intended to go out for another go but who knows if I'd lingered around longer and Jessica had said let's have a beer instead of let's go ride...or let's open the Goldfish or let's take a nap. I was too fluid for my own good.
And so we headed back out for another lap. This even slower, my hands cramping, saddle soreness impending, the small inclines now major hills, the trails a little more chewed up. I was done. Discomfort > enjoyment meant it was time. Elated to make it back to camp I didn't even consider a 4th lap, stripping off my bike shoes, grabbing a chair and opening a beer to watch the rest of the race.
I came in last in my age group but was way more stoked with the 31+ miles I'd just put in. I'd forgotten how much fun mountain biking could be on a forgiving (read: not technical) course. And Dana and Tina swept the women's team division as the only entrees in that category! Spent a day in great company watching the highs and lows unfold, enjoyed spectacularly kind and scenic trails, good food, laughter, sweat, a new challenge. It was a nice change to roll up to an event with no expectations and go with the flow. I think I might even feel the stirring of an inclination to sign up again in 2012. And maybe train a little. So I can say I mountain bike with a semi-straight face.
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