way to go, smurf! you made it!!
<hugs>

that first race is a doozy, isn't it? hey, all this time I thought it was a road race, but this was mtb? cool. Last year I did 2 races a week apart. I was behind 2nd place by 30 seconds. I never knew. so....I analyzed the race, figured out what to differently, and, luckily with the next race only a week away, I even remembered all that. I won my category that race. *sigh* it's the race I missed this weekend, but that's okay. I must get well before kicking more butt.

so, you need to learn to eat and fuel and take along cliff shots or whatever goo works for you - enough to for one every 20 minutes (just in case), and, I guess, some practice riding in the wet could help, and, well, you know better than I do what you need to do. Not racing everyone who comes along is a good one, too. keep on it!

You did awesome to finish, and you're in great spirits despite how hard it seemed at the time. I"m proud of you, girl!!

when's that next race? 3 weeks from now? you'll do amazing!!

Namaste,
~T~