I am WHIPPED!

Today I raced the Farmall Hill Challenge.  It's a gruelling, no recovery 6 mile race (for beginners anyway) that really tests your skills on a mountain bike on a singletrack course.  And today that course KICKED MY ASS.  Not sure what was going on today since the last time I raced there last year I did pretty well and felt pretty good.  Today, I was dying from the moment I came out of the gate.  I was about half way through the first lap thinking "Fuck this, I'm going to DNF."  But I made the turn to go to the second lap.  Halfway through the second lap I was thinking "Fuck this, I'm going to DNF."  But again I made the turn to go to the next lap.  On lap 3 (the final one) I was thinking "Fuck this I'm going to finish."

And finish I did.  Not a half bad time either, around 54 minutes.  Considering I walked A LOT of the course, that's not a bad time.  Not sure what was going on as hills I know I can take I just didn't have the energy or endurance for.  Maybe it's because I haven't been riding as much this year or maybe it's just I was tired or something.  But, man was it tiring.

On the plus side, I finally got to put my mountian bike upgrades through their paces.  The front brake was sticking a little and not letting the wheel spin freely.  My neice's husband (the bike shop guy) was there so I had him take a look.  A quick adjustment later and all was well.  And holy cow could I go fast!  My bike is rolling better than ever!  And the new disc brakes are the shit!  There's this big ass hill near the end of the lap that goes into a sharp 90 degree right hand turn.  It's kind of scary so I decided the best way to get down it was to just go flying down it instead of braking.  Which means you need to get on the brakes HARD to make the right hand turn.  No sweat.  Brakes slowed me down wicked fast and I got around the turn each lap like a champ.

So my accomplishment today is that I finished the race without crashing, without killing myself, and without losing my dinner.  All major accomplishments.  Next race is next Tuesday but I'm not sure I'll have recovered in time for that one.  Or I might just be crazy and do it.  The course had intimidated me the last 2 times I raced it and there was some fear going into today.  However, while riding today, the thing that was kicking my ass was not fear of the course, but my body.  My legs and lungs just weren't up to the task today.  But the rest of it?  Challenging yes, need to be careful in some spots, yes, but scary?  Not any more.  Even that big hill that scared the piss out of me is only scary at the top.  Once you're in the track and you let go of the brakes you go down it so fast you don't have time to be scared.  You're more worried about making the turn right after it.

I'm going to rest all the tired muscles in my body now.  Because almost all of them hurt.

Comments

Jammie J. said…
Well, congratulations on coming out of the race intact and being able to write about! How are you feeling now... ready to do it again in a couple/three days? ha
sydwynd said…
Jammie: As a matter of fact, I am! I'm resting my legs this weekend to be fresh and got me some Gatorade G1 to take before the race! I feel much more confident and up for it right now!
Jude said…
You did really well! Our bodies aren't in the same "shape" every day, and it could be that you are a bit run down at times perhaps?

Rest up and go for it again Rocker Guy. And have a great weekend!
sydwynd said…
Jude: Thanks! I think it was an off day as well. Assuming the weather is good, I'll be riding Tuesday! Resting up just in case.
Jammie J. said…
Did you do it? Did you do it? hehe
sydwynd said…
Jammie: I had planned on it, the race was on my schedule, and I was feeling good. And it rained nearly all day. While the rain stopped shortly before race time, trying to ride that tough course with slick trails would have been a little beyond me so I called it off. However, assuming the weather is good I WILL be racing on Aug. 23.
Kate said…
What is DNF? Am I totally stupid that I don't know what that means? Color me impressed...sounds like you rocked out!
sydwynd said…
Kate: DNF = Did Not Finish. My time was a little slow but just getting through 3 laps is a win.

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