First MTB race experience

[limewave]

Every race is a learning experience! I can't believe you have 3 races in already!?!? Of course, in MI the trails usually aren't ready to race on until May. It sounds like you are improving and gaining a lot of valuable experience.

[Anelia]

Loraura, it's wonderful that you consider your mistakes every time you ride. It will help you go better and better every time. Don't be disappointed. There are many races ahead of you. You will learn and hit the podium.
I think you are doing just great

[Aggie_Ama]

Big Ring always brings out a huge crowd, first timers, roadies, people who only race once a year. For me it can be frustrating but I love the area. I didn't race but I was there with my husband, but we headed back to Austin shortly after your Cat went off to prepare for a really long week. The course was in really great shape but honestly I think it is a bit boring! Oh and we learned that we cannot pre-ride together (DH and I) at least not if it is the day before the race. It stinks but you have to find what works for you, for us it is generally splitting up to ride alone.

One thing with Cat 3 is you always have girls like the ones winning your division that are ready for Cat 2 physically but not mentally. I found your tactic of having MY goal was the best way to attack Cat 3 (and even Cat 2). You can measure against yourself, which you are and it is a way to feel good about what you can accomplish. Some of those ladies are just natural athletes, some of us just are determined to be better than we think we can be.

I am really enjoying your race reports, it is refreshing to see your attitude and fun to live through your first season.

[Loraura]

My next race is not until this coming weekend, but, I pre-rode the course last weekend, and, I'm skeeered! HAHA.

It's gonna be a tough one for me. More of a mental battle than a physical one. I dislike several parts of the trail. One section is new, and seems really choppy and frustrating for me. Another is the very spot my good friend broke his wrist on.

At least the last mile or two is fast and fun. I'll have that to look forward to. Maybe I can use that to help me get through the parts that are simply above my ability level.

On the pre-ride I fell three times. After the first one, I was sketchy and not relaxed on the bike (probably leading to the other two). I had forgotten my pads at home, too, so I was even more unconfident (is that a word?).

I'm hoping I can get one more pre-ride in before the race, and that maybe, just maybe, the same thing that happened at Mellow Johnny's Classic will happen again for me, and the race will seem easier than the pre-ride.

I'm trying not to let myself get all psyched up about it. Just thinking about it makes my tummy do the roller coaster thing.

[limewave]

I'm trying not to let myself get all psyched up about it. Just thinking about it makes my tummy do the roller coaster thing.

I feel like that before every race. A friend of mine takes zanax before he races to calm his nerves . . . I think that is a bit extreme! I consider the anxiety a good warm-up since my heart rate is already high

I think it is awesome you are able to pre-ride the course. Now you know what is expected and you can psych yourself up for it, visualizing yourself riding smoothly through those challenging sections.

Can't wait to hear how it goes! Good luck!

[Loraura]

I've now completed my 4th race!

From my earlier post, you saw how nervous I was after having a bad pre-ride. HOWEVER, I pre-rode again the day before the race and had a MUCH BETTER ride. My riding partner who knows my abilities pushed me to try things I was previously bailing on, and I was able to ride much more of the course.

This helped a lot. At the starting line I was not terrified that the entire race would be as bad as my initial pre-ride. I've known for some time that it was fear rather than skill that was keeping me from riding some more technical features. They proved it to me by encouraging me to just TRY it. I had full pads on for this pre-ride, so that helped.

I decided to wear pads on race day as well, since it seemed to help my confidence so much and we have a MTB vacation coming up soon that I didn't want to miss due to injury! This course was very rocky. A fall could really hurt! Pads helped me leave some fear behind.

During the race, I did several things right! I sorted out what gear I should be in to punch it off the line (not gonna make that mistake twice!). At the whistle I SHOT OUT and immediately had a gap behind me with only one rider in front of me. I hit the single track in second position. My best entry into the woods yet! I had a bit of a wobble, and a short discussion with a tree, about 50 yards into the single track. I just came in a little too hot, but I recovered and didn't loose my 2nd place spot.

It took me a long time to settle in and recover from my start. I was a good 2 miles into the course before I could get my heart rate and breathing in SOME resemblance of control. When I finally did, things began to fall into place. I felt really good on the bike, not at all sketchy or off balance.

I made all of the obstacles that I'd practiced (with the help of my riding buddy) the day before. AND I made some other spots on race day that I hadn't ever made before! It was BY FAR my best ride on this course.

I was a little nervous about how much of a gap I'd been able to make (thinking at any moment I was going to be passed by another in my Category). This was in the back of my mind a good bit, and when I had the chance I'd look back to check.

There is one section on the course where the trail goes between two trees and there is VERY LITTLE wiggle room, especially on a 29er with wide bars. I'd practiced my approach to this part several time the day before and found an angle that worked for me. When I got to the spot there were spectators there, which made me a little nervous. I almost bailed so I wouldn't provide them with the entertainment of me smacking into a tree. But I stuck with it, felt confident that my practice would pay off, and wiggled right on through! They cheered! It was great.

The new section was much better having been ridden on by so many pre-riders and racers. I found it MUCH easier. Once I made it through the new section, I finally felt like there was no reason I would be caught unless I crashed. Up until that point I just raced my heart out and hoped it was enough.

I had planned to take a gu about 3 miles in, but when I got to that spot I was breathing so hard and my HR was so elevated I felt like there was no way I could keep it down, so I waited. I found another place later in the trail to recover and managed to get it down then. This worked out OK, but in the future I think I will try taping my gu to the top tube as I've seen others do. It's tough to find it in my pocket and get it open at race pace. I still had enough energy to cross the finish line with lots of power.

My hand-numbness issue from the last race appears to be resolved. I went back to racing with the gloves I like best (which don't match my kit, but whatever!). I also felt very relaxed as far as my grip on the bars for this race, so that may have helped, too.

This was the first race I've done where I felt like I COULD have gone another lap if I had to. On my previous races the thought of having to go again made me want to run screaming back to the car! It would have been tough, but I think I could have gone another lap.

I finished in second place, and I'm really proud of that finish! 4 races, 3 tropheys. I can't complain about that!

I'll do one more race this season, but I have a month to get ready for it. I'm looking forward to it!

[Aggie_Ama]

Great job on racing a really technical course and making the podium! I know several people (my husband included) who visited the ER yesterday so good call on the pads. Good luck closing out the season strong at RHR!