Off to preride race course

[limewave]

Tomorrow is my first mountain bike race. I'm leaving shortly to drive out and pre-ride. I'm told the course will be marked today, hopefully I'm not there too early. And I'm going to try riding the really scary drop.

[Veronica]

Good luck!

Veronica

[limewave]

I rode the course up to the "skills portion" at which point I got off to walk. And it occurred to me, I can't walk this section 3 times (we do 3 laps). So, I either ride the darn thing or forfeit.

So I rode back up the trail a ways. Said a "hail Mary" and wished I had spiked my Endura with something hard . . . and then I went for it.

It ended up being very rideable. Scary. But rideable. I then rode it 6 more times in a row, until my heart rate started to come down some. And then I rode the entire course again, doing the skills section again as well.

I feel prepared. Now my biggest concern is the other racers.

[Veronica]

Wohoo!!!! Good for you! Six times - yowza! You'll do awesome.

Veronica

[Aggie_Ama]

Good luck! My first race I was so worried about the other riders, how to pass, how they would ride. Once you get started you just figure it all out. Have fun, the most important part!

[lph]

Bravely done, limewave! Go for it.

[Ambikes]

MI is home for me, although I'm very far away now for school. I miss it

What race are you doing?

[limewave]

I posted my race report here.

I will say, it was so much fun! And the scary skills section ended up being my favorite part of the course (it wasn't uphill and I could coast for most of it).

Unfortunately, a couple of people have really put a damper on my day

I'm going to make a really long story short here: I had a friend that was supposed to race with me. The skills section was too intimidating for her and she bailed at the last minute. Then later she started making some really rude comments on those darn social networking sites about how "someone" who is overly competitive sucks the fun out of everything. DH and a few others have told me to stay away from her because of her attitude, I should have listened. She talks really big and then gets disappointed when doesn't follow through. And its always someone else's fault.

I started looking for another race to do soon because I had so much fun. I talked to DH about it and he got really angry with me. He works a ton, every weekend. He's resentful that I'm going out and racing (I've done 1 race) while he has to stay home and work. I keep telling him, if he wants to do something else, then do it!!!! But it's not MY FAULT he has to work 80 hours a week. He CHOSE to have his own business. I don't want to sit at home all weekend doing nothing because he has to work. It's not fair to me either.

Sigh.

[Aggie_Ama]

Glad you had a great race.

You're "frenemy" sounds jealous. I ride often with racers, yes during racing season my husband can suck the fun out of it because he is training but he will ride with me. This summer I am finally making friends that have boyfriends that race but they don't so I am hoping the fall season I will have friends to keep my occupied. I wouldn't let this person bug you, there are tons of people who will enjoy your company!

On DH, he is probably just being jealous and regrets that he can't do the same. Maybe when he is over it he will be supportive. My own husband gets jealous that I get to go to do things (charity rides, women's clinics) while he is working. It is hard on them, hope it works out for you and you can keep racing.

[TrekJeni]

Boo, sorry to hear that. I think you live on the west side right? We might be coming up over Labor Day, I'll ride with you if you want! It will be an off week for us and I'll go slow. I just need miles as I've got a 24 hour race the next weekend.

[limewave]

Let me know if you'll be in around that weekend, I would love to ride!