Catching up.

So, I took a little time off from writing my weekly blogs about racing and riding, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been happening. After my first race (Winding Trails), it was time for the race I was really anticipating; ROOT 66's Lung Opener at Massasoit State Park. This was my trail, where I learned to ride my mountain bike, so the confidence was built strong. The day was awful, it was freezing, raining, and just not the type of weather you want to go ride your bike in, regardless I felt good and was ready to W-I-N.

We all lined up and started the race, I powered up the pavement and was 2nd into the woods, I wanted to get ahead of as many girls as I could in the beginning because I know the trails are mainly single track, and I didn't want to be caught behind anyone; getting off their bikes to go over logs, plus I knew there was some sketchy bridges in the beginning. I cruised through the trail and ended up being 3rd overall and 1st in my age group for almost the entire race. I kept looking back and never saw any of the girls that I knew were in my category so I was feeling awesome and just kept powering. Making it over every log, up every climb, and stretching out my tired legs on the downhills so they could get rest for the deadily climbs I knew about at the end of the race.

I ended up catching up to the girl in 2nd, who wasn't in my age category, about half way through the race; I rode her wheel for awhile until we got stuck behind some guys who were obviously putting no effort into trying to catch up to their race. The slow picnic-ers were in a really great section where I was planning on really putting down some speed, super smooth, single track, with some easy-speedy turns. That did not happen. Finally after losing probably 3 minutes of my lead, I yelled ahead, "We gotta get by you guys!!" they let us finally pass and I sped passed the girl in 2nd and cruised by a nice pond. We continued to ride together and then she finally powered by me again and I lost her wheel.

Still feeling like no one could possibly catch up to me from my category; I knew I was somewhat close to the end, and even closer to the hill I was excited to dominate. Out of nowhere I hear "On your left" and my main competition, Pedal Power, rode by me. I was crushed. I put so much effort into the entire race, to get stuck behind beginner men enjoying the scenery, messing up my plan to gain a bunch of speed, and end up behind my competition who I know is not very technical, and I know will not make it up the hill I planned on dominating.

I couldn't get by her, I stayed right on her wheel, maybe a feet or two back..but never lost site. The hill was approaching and I was still right behind her, unable to get passed so I could make it up. She made it not even a quarter of the way and stopped dead in the middle of my perfect line, I yelled, a word that rhymes with shmuck, and got off my bike and ran up the hill that now dominated me.

Pedal Power is a cross-racer, she knows how to get off her bike, and run. I am not. Running during a race, to me, is awful. This really slowed me down and I fumbled getting back on my bike and almost lost site of her. There was one more totally un-rideable hill at the end and I remember Chunkerz (Billy, my boyfriend) saying whoever gets to the top of that hill, wins the race. Mainly because it is a straight shot down to the finish after that hill. Well, guess what? The girl who hates running during races did NOT make it to the top first, I pushed as hard as I could, ran as fast as I could up a wall, hopped on my bike, and pushed rediculously hard.

 "Maybe I can catch her" I told myself. Nope. But I did finish 3 seconds behind her. Which I don't know if that is worse than just completely losing the race...3 seconds!! Really?!! 3 seconds I lost because I was stuck behind a group of men who don't know how to get out of the way!! Okay, maybe I should have just powered as hard as I could passed her, but easier said than done now.

Anyways, I was happy, it was pouring cold rain by that point, and I was still proud of myself for getting a good finishing time, but trust me, next race, Pedal Power will not be in front of me.