Rockin' the XC descent.The season is over! I have survived my second year of racing as a pro, mostly in one piece. It has been quite a year and this weekend was no exception! Although my parents and the kids had cleared out and left us to fend for ourselves, we did survive. My initial thought was that this weekend could be a good one b/c we have been at altitude for over a week, but then when I think about all the riding and fun we had and the very little recovering we did, I decided it would be just a fun weekend! I was not going to worry or stress too much about it. I had just had a month off of racing and a lot of fun riding in Oregon, did an stage race last weekend, rode all week and am focusing on getting ready for cx. But as competitive as I am, it was still a race weekend.
Race Day 1: Short Track & Super D (or so we thought)Reverse the 'normal' order, in order to allow Geoff Kabush to fly back from Australia after racing the world cup to race the XC, it was going to be good to use stx as an 'opener'. It went way better than I anticipated. It hurt, of course, but I was in the mix and then found myself with the lead group as it eventually dwindled down. Towards the end, there was a prime and I got popped, I could not sprint at this elevation, so 4 off the front and it came down to a race for 5th. I wanted it so bad, but my body did not seem to respond to my brain willing it to go faster and I had to settle for 6th. My all time best short track, so no complaining for me. Tim also had an awesome race, beating up on most of the younger kids and taking 1st in his age group, but 3rd overall. It was not easy, but fun.
We had an hour or so to go get something to eat before we could practice the super d. We headed up the lift and it was looking a bit dark in the distance. About half way through our practice run, hail and lightening. It was epic. Poor Cass got a flat, and we left her. It was too cold. I was psyched I had brought my jacket. So we prepped ourselves for a very cold, wet race at 6 p.m. And came back, got warm, dressed and headed back about 5:30 to get on the lift. And then they told us it was a no go. Check back at 8 a.m. for an update. Great. I was psyched up and I really didn't want to do it right before our xc race. Oh well.
We had an hour or so to go get something to eat before we could practice the super d. We headed up the lift and it was looking a bit dark in the distance. About half way through our practice run, hail and lightening. It was epic. Poor Cass got a flat, and we left her. It was too cold. I was psyched I had brought my jacket. So we prepped ourselves for a very cold, wet race at 6 p.m. And came back, got warm, dressed and headed back about 5:30 to get on the lift. And then they told us it was a no go. Check back at 8 a.m. for an update. Great. I was psyched up and I really didn't want to do it right before our xc race. Oh well.
Tim's first place peformance
I was in front of Georgia, and then on her wheel. Not a bad place to be. It didn't last.
Tim's STX podium
All ready to go for Super D, but it was postponedIt was decided that super d would go off at 11:30. Not ideal with a 2 p.m. xc start, but it was a fun race and a good course. A lot harder than I wanted it to be. Way too much pedaling. I knew I couldn't win the series, b/c I missed 2 races, but had a solid 2nd, so I just had to finish it. But as competitive as I am, I had to gun for it. I took third and was pretty happy, riding conservatively, keeping the rubber side down. But it took a bit out of me. Tim had an epic run and won! Quadzilla has some power and it was a perfect course for him! His second first place this weekend!
Cross Country started at 2, mixing the pro men and women together for the start, since it was a single long, 24-mile loop. It was neutral at the start, so I thought it would be o.k., and it was for a short while. And then something happened. I started going backwards. A lot. I was the third to last person to the top of the climb. It was a 35 minute+ climb and I was shocked that I had nothing. I really tried to push, but nothing. And then I worked my way back into the race slowly but surely. Not that far back in, but up to 13th. Thank goodness for the descent. I was looking forward to it the entire climb. It's a rocky, gnarly descent that claimed some tires, but not mine. I had tractor tires on. And a camel back. Probably not the best strategy, but oh well. I didn't have a feed and it was a long race. Tim had a great race, finishing in second! A strong finish to the season!
Cross Country started at 2, mixing the pro men and women together for the start, since it was a single long, 24-mile loop. It was neutral at the start, so I thought it would be o.k., and it was for a short while. And then something happened. I started going backwards. A lot. I was the third to last person to the top of the climb. It was a 35 minute+ climb and I was shocked that I had nothing. I really tried to push, but nothing. And then I worked my way back into the race slowly but surely. Not that far back in, but up to 13th. Thank goodness for the descent. I was looking forward to it the entire climb. It's a rocky, gnarly descent that claimed some tires, but not mine. I had tractor tires on. And a camel back. Probably not the best strategy, but oh well. I didn't have a feed and it was a long race. Tim had a great race, finishing in second! A strong finish to the season!
Super D podium (my buddy Cass, me, Kelli, Amanda & Maureen)
Tim Butler ruled the super D too!Now that it is over, I am really looking forward to CX. I have a long drive home, but I am picking up my new bikes in SLC and getting fit in Boise, to a productive drive! See y'all out at Alpenrose for the first cross clinic. I think the fever has started.
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