Thanks for the encouragement, I am new to racing and never sagged out of a charity ride even through some grueling centuries so I felt bummed. But racing is a different world and mountain biking is different too.

Smilingcat - I live at 1,100 feet but I get altitude illness at as low as 4,200 feet. I also live in a humid area and this is a very dry area of the state, so I think it was a combination of slightly higher elevation and dry air. Just was a different feeling when exerting myself.

She Fly- I know I did the right thing and have learned a lot for my next race. Other than some short track this was only my 5th race. So I can learn from it. I still feel a little let down personally that I did have to DNF but then am proud I had the courage to say it was what I needed to do.