One other thing, since this is your first time doing Mitchell it is really hard to simulate the last 20+ miles of hill in training. People go and ride up from Marion for training and are surprised that on event day it takes an hour longer to get to the top. Remember to pace well from the start. Don't get caught up in the irrational exuberance of the first 40 miles. I swear you can smell the testosterone in the air at the start.