Oh man, someone give me some encouragement...

[gwhunt23]

My first race ever is this Sunday, and I just don't think I can do it. 15 miles with tons of log jumps, and rock gardens. The two things I hate! I'm only 13, and the time limit is 3 hours.

Any advice? I just don't think I'm ready to race. For me, how do you think 2 hours and 13 miles is for a brand new technical singletrack is? That's what it was when I went riding last weekend. I guess I should do ok on this? Or atleast get under 3 hours? Never been on this XC course before.

Any tips on what to do when I race? Try and keep a constant speed, or put it all out?

[bigchina]

new course...its gonna take longer. but 15mi in 3 hours isnt that tough, i usually ride 15 in about 2 hours, and thats taking my time. dont exert yourself too hard in the beginning, you need to pace yourself or you'll be dead by the halfway point. you can do it, put your back into it!

[dirtbikedude]

Just have fun. Do not go there thinking, " I am gonna kick arse today!!!!Hell yeah!!!!". All that will do is get your adrenaline flowing to soon before the race and make you even more nervous. As I said before, just ride to have fun as if it were a ride on any Sunday. Bring lots if H2O. Be sure to eat well on Saturday and hydrate with H2O.

Just go at it to have fun. Just because it is a mtb race does not mean you can not carry your rig over parts that are to difficult for you, this happens a lot.

If you have never seen this course before then keep reading. If you have then no need.

As for having enough time, if you average 5mph you will finish in 3hr. You will probably average more then that.

Also, who told you about the course? Was it some who is a new rider or a seasoned vet? Or did you get the info from the race organization?

If was a new rider or the organizers it most likely is not all that bad. You may even finish the race and ask, "Where were all the obstacles?”

If it was a seasoned vet he may have said it some thing like," Well, there are a few small logs and some short rock gardens but for the most part it is not very difficult."
In which case all you heard were rock gardens and log jumps. Seeing that this will be your first race you probably imagined North Shore style logs and RG that will eat your bike as a snack

[gwhunt23]

The race organization had a course description. The trail should be awesome, because it's at Quantico Marine Base and the US Marines maintain it! I should get there early enough to pre-ride the course. I have already registered, and if I get there 2 hours before the race start, I should be able to take one slow scouting lap. The race is 2 laps of 7.5 miles each lap.

I won't go hard riding today, just about 8 miles slow to the post office and back to ship a package. On road. Should be good enough to let my body not feel stale at the starting line, but shouldn't be hard enough to make be lethargic.

I have been drinking a lot in the past few days. Today I start with packing on carbs. Spaghetti dinner, mmmm. I will probably fill half my camelback with water and the other half gatorade or powerade for some extra energy. I have a tendancy to drink a lot from my camelback, so I will bring a water bottle to put on the frame.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm now feeling better about this.

[sm266]

Just go ride it. Worse case scenerio: You complete the 2nd lap too late. No big deal. Have fun.

[Moonshot]

A lot of folks find the adrenalin rush of a race helps push them along harder than they would do in a typical training ride. I think you'll do fine.

[gwhunt23]

WooHoo!!!!!!!!!! I just got back and LOVED the race! It was awesome! I got 4th place out of 5 people in my age group. Coulda had something more is I didn't miss the turn for the second lap. LOL. Well now I know for the next race there.

And at the end I said, "What log ramps?" It was more like going over a 4" in diameter tree. Our age goup race ended up being 9.8 miles, the course was changed slightly. We did a half lap and then a full.

[Heartattaq]

Good job gw, everyone has to start somewhere. The fact that you did it and saw it through to the end is a huge accomplishment in itself and you should be very proud of yourself. Keep practicing and you can only get better. Good luck in the future.

remember what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger.

[gwhunt23]

Had my second race this weekend. This one was longer, about 15 miles. Endoed 2 times, and crashed 2 more. But I did finish! Just with many scratches and cuts and everything. Had to ride a soft tire for the last 1/2 mile, wasn't completely flat. I wish I had eaten more before the noon starting time, but I wasn't hungry until during the race. Now I know for next time!

This race was the orginazation's first race, so it was very unorganized. Had no idea what place I came in out of the 30 people in my age group. I should be getting the results soon though in my email.

And as someone said before, the only way to get good at racing mountain bikes is to race mountain bikes.

[hanshananigan]

Congrats! I've heard good things about that Quantico run- 'would be interested in your thoughts about it.

[gwhunt23]

The Quantico trail is great. Very well maintained, and there's a very small amount of roots in the trail. Has good climbs and descents. A great trail.

Wish you could ride it though! It's only open for the public on race days and the day before race days for pre-riding.

[JBehrmann]

I wish more 13 year olds on the internet were like this guy. Good job dude!

[tha_nic]

Since its your first race, just look at it like its practice and to know what its like. After the race practice some of the things you found hard on the race.

Look at it like some fun and practice. thats my advice

[tha_nic]

I wish more 13 year olds on the internet were like this guy. Good job dude!

seriously. Their are not many people that actually race and so little people that knwo what they are talking about when it comes to racing that i'm happy their are some people who start younger and are good at it.

Keep going man!! you're already doing great

[raleigh pride]

hey im 13 and i wanna race! i ride every day and im ready for some action! does any body live in california? or know any xc races around LA, or even in so cal?

qwhunt23, your the man!