Bike Forums - 1st Race, Not to shabby

Heck why not race I say. I have nothing better to do with my time. :) I had a girlfriend invite me to a race this past weekend. I had no intentions of racing, simply cause its my 4th time on my mountain bike this season. I've been putting miles in on my road bike getting prepped for a 120 road ride in July.

So I decided to throw myself in the bunch.

I did a race on Sunday in Breckenridge, CO. Pre-rode the course Saturday evening. It was going to be tough I say to myself. Saturday I felt the pain in the legs, prior to this race I had done a century on the Sunday before and rode both road/mtb 4 other times earlier in the week. I was tired some.

By Sunday I had put 130miles on the the bike if not more.

Sunday RACE DAY. Yeah I woke up feeling tired and my legs hurt some. We had a pretty good breakfast and I was feeling pretty normal.
My race started at 12:08pm. There were 7 women beginner racers. I just told myself to take it easy, have fun and SMILE!!! :)

Right away we took off (AT GO). There was a head wind on the first climb (SUCK!) so I did what my friend Cynthia said. She said DRAFT the girls. I did and wow it really helped me from blowing out all of my energy.

The first major downhill two of the girls in front of me took some major diggers. I did ask if they were okay, both said fine. I rode on. It was hard but I was having fun, towards the end of the route there is some climbing with switchbacks. I cleared it ALL. There was this guy that was there with a COWBELL helping out all the riders getting through this point. He saw me and said girl, I know that smile is not because your having fun climbing this!! I just thought only if you knew why I'm smiling. :)

Anyhoo, I was almost done with my first lap when I switch gears and guess what CHAIN SUCK!!! CRAP. It was bad. My chain was stuck. One of the girls past me, asked if I was okay. I said yes. I just thought GOD, PLEASE HELP ME. I DON'T WANT TO WALK IN!!! .

I flipped my bike and got the chain unstuck. :) OMG. I can finish. Well I made it to the finish and I had one more lap to go. I knew I had dropped behind but at this point I didn't care, I was just having a blast.

Well there is a small rock garden that you have to past over on this race course. I was coming up to it and the girl that past me earlier had fallen. Once again I asked if she was okay, she said yes. :) I continued.

I finished 5th out of 7. :p Its wasn't my best performance but I made it!!! :) Plus I had a kick butt time!!! :)

After the race most of the beginner women stuck around and talked. The girl that came into third place told me that all the races she did lastyear she came in last. :eek: She said it made her feel better that she came in third. I told myself that I would work harder to become better.

My last note, racing for me was something I wanted to do but couldn't get the nerve to do. :) I really enjoyed and had fun regardless what spot I came in. Cause out there in the woods its only about me and my bike!!!

Thanks for letting me share everyone!!

Snowy.