a-nother race...

I figure this should be posted in the race section but because it has to do with mtbikin' and MALcontent wants to up the activity....here I will post!

Attack of the Killer Orange Paws…a race in Clemson, SC (Tiger Rag)

For whatever reason 3 perfectly sane (or so we think) adults thought it would be a FUN adventure to shove 5 dogs and 3 humans in a van and drive a hundred-something miles to a mountain bike race with the weather calling for thunder showers…

Well…it was FUN!!!! Megan, Chris (my hubby) and myself (along with our combined number of 5…yes, we counted…there were 5 dogs, but 2 did not really count!) headed south Saturday afternoon about 3 hours later than originally planned, but who said we were punctual…one reason to go a whole day early! We arrived in time to suit up and ride the race loop…apparently it was different than prior years. The loop was 5 miles…it started with a fire road climb to a sharp hairpin turn onto FRESH cut single track…bumpy, dusty, and not too fast. That spit you out to the nice packed swoopy, rooty trail…short descents and grinding little climbs. It was tight and gritty! The first part was up and down…fast downhills littered with drops and bumps and climbs marked with wheel stopping steps (luckily they were nothing steeper than some around here in Pisgah…we were well prepared) After a flowy stretch and a rocky creek crossing we found ourselves in a pine needle covered twisty, turny, slippery sections (pine needles are out to get me…I am sure of this!) I did all I could to keep from slipping sideways…wooohoooo!!! A long flat wiiiide stretch dumps us into a tough climb that would take us to the end of our journey…we would have to ride this three times of course!!!

After our pre-ride we ventured into town for some needed nourishment…pizza!!!! Perfect dinner for the best of racers…right?!?! Continued to wander around looking for a campground…but found ourselves parked on the side of a gravel road in a primo-location for the followings days events! Now imagine if you will…a passenger van filled with 3 full sized humans, 3 dogs over 35 pounds, and 2 mini-dogs! We fell asleep in an empty corner on a gravel road and woke up to a bustling row of trucks, trailers, cars, bikes, dogs, people wondering around aimlessly preparing for a race.

Megan and I were in the second wave following behind the sport men, single-speeders, and masters…the weather called for scattered thunderstorms but we enjoyed our race in a perfect 67 degrees. I went out fast and hard which led to a bit of a struggle to maintain then to get myself back up to speed. The second lap was a blur…spent the time taking in water and electrolytes trying to convince myself I was more than half way through and a DNF (did not finish) was not an option. I knew I was at the back of the pack and hoping that by some small miracle I was not last! The third lap I heard Chris hollering I was not too far from a gal in front of me…so I kicked it up a wee bit and managed to pass her on a straight away. The last climb was a tough one but I knew I had to keep it up in order not to get passed back!!! I made it!!! The gal was not in my class but I did not know that at the time…so I now know I have it in me…once again, another lesson learned!

At first I was really down on myself for coming in last in my class…but as time passed and I reflected on the race I decided it could not get any worse (minus a crash I guess) and I had a good time!

Megan came in first in her class as well as overall…she spent the race yo-yoing with the second place winner but never gave in and punched hard enough to cross the line in the number one position. She was definitely wiped by the time we gathered our gear up and hit the road.

Megan's addition:

I am proud of Laurie for going out there and hitting it hard. It is a great learning experience to get out there on the trails and race and the weak of heart do not have the guts to get out there and give it a go. Every race we learn something and can use it to be better, faster, and to have more fun! I am very glad to have Laurie on our team and to have her as a friend!

Laurie described the van/dog experience very well, so I do not need to add except that her "recovering from injury husband" was so kind as to keep such good care of the "crew" while we were racing our butts off that we had no worries about our "kids" while we were racing.

The girl I raced with for the first place finish was a local favorite. Every time we came around a turn where there were bystanders, all I heard was, "go Jen!, you got her!, go Jen!" I didn't let it get me down though, and used it to motivate me to keep up my pace and not give in. The last lap I heard no "go Jen's" because I was far enough ahead. Ah, the peace, as I was trying to breathe and not throw up from exertion.

A successful day overall, and now we rest for our long awaited Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure race next Saturday!