I have survived the Iceman!

[beccaB]

Well, I did it. I survived. I fell a few times and I'm sore, but no broken bones. I wasn't happy with my finish time, but I was still faster than 42 other people! I think it was a lot harder than I expected, more skinny trail stuff that I would consider, given my level of experience with mountain biking, fairly technical. Will I do it again next year? Not committed to a yes or a no.

[surgtech1956]

Congratulations on your accomplishment. Was this your first Iceman?

[Bike Writer]

Congrats! Finishing is a good thing, it must have been especially nice with your new bike.

[Trek-chick]

Congratulations!!!!

[limewave]

Congrats Becca! First Iceman is always tough, hard to know what to expect. There was more single-track this year than last. I didn't have a great race either. I went out way too hard at the start and hit the wall big time--just in time for all the hills in the last 5-6 miles. It was pure misery. But we had fun hanging out afterward with everyone and watching the pros come finish.

I did a pre-ride of the finish, about the last 3-miles, the day before the race. I decided to attack one of the hills as hard as I could. I wanted to have a positive mental image of myself climbing that hill, feeling strong and fast so that I could recall that during the race. Totally backfired! I'm grunting and snorting my way up when these two women breeze by me, one had on the handle bars, chatting and laughing. It was demoralizing. Turns out one of them was Kelli Emmett.

[beccaB]

I'm just really glad I finished. My 50 year old husband finished just under 3 hours. I'm really proud of him. At first when he decided to do this I kind of felt like I wasn't experienced enough and I was upset about us not getting to ride together. But it was hard enough that there really wouldn't have been a lot of togetherness if we had rode together. I knew that it would take all the endurance I had. I've done 12 centuries so I knew I could finish. I've only been mountain biking for a year, and mostly sissy stuff at that. I did try all sorts of terrain, but not much technical because it scares me! I did hear people say the course was different than last year in some places.

[zoom-zoom]

You went out there and did it--kudos on a great job! I'm hoping to get out there in the next year or two (DH and I may need to alternate years, since the childcare thing makes logistics tricky). Everyone says the course is tough...you did great!

[limewave]

I've only been mountain biking for a year, and mostly sissy stuff at that. I did try all sorts of terrain, but not much technical because it scares me! I did hear people say the course was different than last year in some places.

If you wanted to come out next year, you could try the Slush Cup. I believe that is all 2-tracks and a bit shorter. It's pretty hilly, so you'd still have a good challenge.

And I agree with Zoom-Zoom, it's awesome that you went out and gave it a try! I think you did excellent

[beccaB]

I think now that I've seen it first hand I will have a better time next year if I train more effectively. Barring such complications as injury or wet snowy weather of course!

[Catrin]

Well, I did it. I survived. I fell a few times and I'm sore, but no broken bones. I wasn't happy with my finish time, but I was still faster than 42 other people! I think it was a lot harder than I expected, more skinny trail stuff that I would consider, given my level of experience with mountain biking, fairly technical. Will I do it again next year? Not committed to a yes or a no.

Yayyyyyyy, congratulations!