Race report - Sea Otter Classic

[Adventure Girl]

I raced the Sea Otter cross country mountain bike race yesterday. I didn't mention it earlier because I was VERY close to skipping it because lingering affects of a sprained finger and a bad cold (What a BABY!). A sprained finger seems like such a small thing, but it really makes shifting, braking, climbing and descending difficult! It's much more important in mountain biking than road riding!

The race is 20 miles of—single track, steep climbs, long fire roads, technical downhill, and even an area that you have to pick up your bike and carry it up a cliff!

The first 5 miles is a loop that brings you almost back to the start point. I figured I would go that far and quit if I felt bad. At the 5 mile point there is a steep technical climb (one of the hardest in the race). My husband and my "cheering section" was out there screaming and ringing their bells! They really helped because I BARELY made it up! So I figured that if I could clean that, I could finish the race.

I finished, but it was HARD! It was so much harder than any ride I have ever done. It really showed me the limits of my ability for that day. On the last climb, there is a section that gets pretty steep. I normally go to a bigger gear and stand up for 30 strokes to get through it. Yesterday, I could only pedal 8 strokes, and that was ALL I had. The tank was on z-e-r-o!!

My time was OK. My place was OK. But I'm proud that I finished, and I learned a lot about how hard I can push myself! At the end of a race, I want to feel like I can't turn the pedal over one more time. That is the feeling that I gave it everything I had. I had that feeling yesterday, and I loved it!

[slinkedog]

You so totally rock, AG! I'm so glad you finished and feel good about your ride. That's what really matters. That you had fun and feel like you accomplished something.

[spazzdog]

Way to go AG... now go polish that tiara sweetie!

[Veronica]

Very cool! Way to give it your all! 'Cause at the end of the day - that's really all that matters. Any pictures?

V.

[aka_kim]

You rock!

[CorsairMac]

I believe AG should get the She-Ra Princess of Power Tiara for tomorrow!! Anyone who races like that deserves it!! Job well!! and thanks for sharing!....and the Sea Otter Classic??....are we gonna see you on OLN this coming Sun???

[nuthatch]

Way to go!! I'd love to see pictures, too!!

[Tar-Cat]

Great job That's gotta be a great feeling...

[massbikebabe]

FANTASTIC!!! You rock AG. You deserve more than a tiarra!!!

karen

[AutumnBreez]

You will be able to use this in the future as an example to yourself. Your strong determination and courage to go the distance, even with the sniffles and a gimped finger.

You've got the POWER!
(and the keys to your success)

as someone wrote to me once here: We are women, hear us ROAR!! I love it!!!-so fitting