Uh-oh

[limewave]

Did a pre-ride of the mntn bike course this weekend with some of the other women racing. I'm in trouble. They are all really good mountain bikers! And really friendly too. It will hurt to have them pass me (if I can ever get ahead of them) but they will be fun ladies to race with. . . . And here I thought I had a chance to have the fastest bike time. Right. Ha. Ha. Ha.

[KSH]

Well, all you can do is ride your race... eh? Although, it's a little distressing when you think you are going to cream the competition and it turns out it won't be that way.

Hey, at least you didn't find out race day how fast they are! Right? But don't let your practice ride get in your head. You never know... they could have a bad day... get nervous in a race, etc. Just do your best!

[rocknrollgirl]

Don't worry about them. Lots of things can and will happen on race day. Just focus on your race. At my first xterra I took 15 mins off my bike time from training. Since you mt bike, you know, that is a big chunk of time. I was flying over stuff that I would normally have tip toed over in training.

You are going to do great....you are strong, you are tuff, you are a dirt girl...


GRRRHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

[RoadRaven]

Sounds like you're being realistic and not losing sight of the fun element...

Maybe you can set yourself some challenges, to reach certain parts of the course before them, perhaps?

And of course, a PB for yourself - after all, when push really comes to shove - one's-self is the hardest person on the course to beat!

Enjoy and let us now how much fun you had

[limewave]

The director of the race called me tonight to let me know he's changing the mountain bike course a bit. He knows I'm doing my last pre-ride tomorrow and he wants me to bring my garmin and give him the new mileage.

I guess someone at XTerra was complaining that the tri was too run-heavy and that he had to increase the bike portion. Do they know how technical and hilly this loop is? It's probably the most challenging loop in MI. I can already give a guess on how long the new loop is because I have ridden it before.

Here are the new distances:

1,000 meter swim
15-16 mile mountain bike (all hills and technical )
6.5 mile run

I'm going to die. Somewhere between the bike and the run, I. will. die.

[Tri Girl]

I'm going to die. Somewhere between the bike and the run, I. will. die.

Oh no you're not, missy!

That is a long distance, especially on such a technical course. But... it sounds like it'll be fun and if you have the midset that you'll be out there for a loooonnng time and you're going to have fun- you'll do GREAT!
I just know it's going to be a blast- I can't wait to hear all about it!

[Running Mommy]

OY! 16 miles on a mtn bike is like 50 on a road bike. 50 and HILLS! Big ones!!
OY!!!
I feel for ya!!
So how did the t shirt come out?? I was thinking about that tonight..

[rocknrollgirl]

OK....now listen...finishing any tri is a big accomplishment...and fininshing an Xterra is something very special. Those distances are run heavy for an American Tour Race ( as compared to a championship race).

It is going to be hard, I am not going to lie, getting off and running after a long technical mt bike hurts...a lot. But you can do it. Just take your time on the run.

Since you know the course, make sure you have a gel about 15 mins before the end of the bike. We tape our gels on to the top tube of our bikes. Tape them at the top where you would tear them. Then you are not reaching in to a pocket on rough terrain.

It is very difficult to gel and drink during a very technical race, but the gel right before the run will help your legs after the mt bike.

You can do this, and do well. It will be a big learning experience for the next one.