Aggie_Ama
12-19-2010, 08:20 AM
Yesterday I signed up for another half marathon mountain bike race. I wanted to ride smart and not hit the wall. The biggest goal was completion and not feeling like death. It was hard at the beginning, the course is tougher at the start including an awful off-camber (uneven) section that is soft dirt and then a long gravel climb known as Fat Chuck's. I have only made it to the top of Fat Chuck's once. The race started and I rode to try to get a decent spot in the single track. As expected the off camber section caused a strangle hold, people jumping off their bikes everywhere and no way to pass. I lost a lot of places here. After that section it is time for Fat Chuck's, I was so excited to see tons of men and women hopping off their bikes as I went up, I made it!
After that the women who were ahead of me were long gone. I knew I now had to just ride my ride and complete the challenge. The difference I made this time is riding at a steady pace, definitely not a shorter race pace. Around 6 miles I realized my rear tire felt every root, at one section when I got off I realized it was squishy. Last week I had tire sealant replaced in the front but didn't think to ask them to check the rear, I took it to the shop on the way home and sure enough I needed more Stan's sealant. Luckily it never went flat but did cause some concern. I reminded myself to eat gels and drink, something I learned from reading ride reports on some of our TE Tri reports from Ironmans. I had a minor crash leaving my bruised but my bike unscathed.
In the end I finished the 21 miles feeling strong. I ended up 5th and the prizes were some awesome pottery from the race director, definitely cool to win some Paul Uhl (www.pauluhlpottery.com) pottery it is beautiful! So I accomplished what I set out to do, prove I could race this distance and not give up.
After that the women who were ahead of me were long gone. I knew I now had to just ride my ride and complete the challenge. The difference I made this time is riding at a steady pace, definitely not a shorter race pace. Around 6 miles I realized my rear tire felt every root, at one section when I got off I realized it was squishy. Last week I had tire sealant replaced in the front but didn't think to ask them to check the rear, I took it to the shop on the way home and sure enough I needed more Stan's sealant. Luckily it never went flat but did cause some concern. I reminded myself to eat gels and drink, something I learned from reading ride reports on some of our TE Tri reports from Ironmans. I had a minor crash leaving my bruised but my bike unscathed.
In the end I finished the 21 miles feeling strong. I ended up 5th and the prizes were some awesome pottery from the race director, definitely cool to win some Paul Uhl (www.pauluhlpottery.com) pottery it is beautiful! So I accomplished what I set out to do, prove I could race this distance and not give up.