Manawa made me nervous this morning and I was right about that!
We had the biggest beginner women's class yet, which was really cool. I think, we were 7 or 8.
They started us with the Clydesdale's and Stephanie was right there in front with me behind her.
One of the girls from Lincoln, think her name is also Stephanie passed me as well. Wow, that will be a fast race...
We met all up again at the first log crossing. It's a big one. I can't ride it and the other girls didn't ride it either. We made it through the next obstacles, some ridden, some walked, until, we came up to this pretty big log that has a rock in front and behind of it to help you ride over it. I had practiced riding that one this week and hit that thing at least 6 times. Well, I hit it today, crossed it and then I don't know what happened, but I went over the handled over the handlebars and kissed the dirt....ouch! I also landed on my bike.
It took me a a moment to recover from that and by then, I was almost LAST. W H A T ?????
There was one more straight ahead and I got passed again. Heilige Scheisse!!
Entering the next more technical section, which is marked as blue and very windy, I decided, I decided it was time to get back what I lost and switched my bike into battle-mode.
I put my bike into the big chain ring and put the pedal to the medal.
And over the rest of the race, I did what I planned to do: passing one by one...
A lot of the girls are beginner racers. In very good shape and fast, but a little bit inexperienced when it comes to picking a line on those "swirly" trails in Manawa. Well, good for me, because, I do:)
So, by the time, we crossed the street, I had all but three. No. 3, I actually ran down on the flat stretch (my HR at 183). I could tell, that this was Marc's doing again, because only with his training, was I able to do that.
Back into the swirly trails and I pushed even harder because, I could see the first two, just 30, maybe 20 seconds ahead of me.
I tried so hard to hunt them down and I almost had them twice but they got away again. I don't don't why. Maybe my riding got sloppy. Then in the last minute, they built that stupid 180 degree turn in the trail and I wasn't prepared for that and had to put a foot down. The trail there was very rough and even though I tried to sprint up to catch the two but there was no way to reach them in time. I came through the finish line just a few seconds later...
Third Place. Not bad considering that I came back from the dead...
Good news. Stephanie, the girl that won last time made only second. She got beat by a friend of Daryl. She is a Triathlete. Good for her.
As for the points. I am still leading by over 20 points in the overall standing.
Since Landahl rained out, did Martin and I decide to do the MetrO! MTB Challenge
No points, just for fun. So instead of raising beginner, I signed up for sport. Two laps.
One rider in my class Cindy McNeill. She is fast. Rides with her husband all the time.
Start goes OK. Little cue up on the first roots and then I let her pass. She is faster and I don't have the "spark" today to fight. I just want to get through those two laps. Without technical problems and without physical problems. I slow the pace down enough, so I can keep it up. I have gotten faster and it is easier to keep a faster pace.
By the end of the second lap, I ride up to Cindy who had pulled over and turns out had a flat. I tried to fix it for her but it didn't work. I offered her my bike but she wouldn't take it, so I rode off, not feeling too happy about me leaving her behind when I see Kevin ride back to find her to deliver a new bike. A few moment later and she is back on track...
By that time, I am putting my after burners on, chain on the big chain ring and I am going for it...
and I win...yeah!
Afterwards, Martin asked me how it went and I said, karma helped me win this race. I did something good and karma gave me back and let me win!! Thanks...
I can add another podium position to my results. First place at the third Heartland Series race at Trenton, MO.
I was the only Beginner Woman, so I raced against myself, the heat: 90 degrees, 11 miles of dirt and rocks and technical problems. My bike had shifting problems and turned by the end of lap one into a singlespeed bike....
Good news, I am leading the Heartland Race Series by points in my class and with only one race left on July 1st, I cannot be reached anymore, YEAH!!!
18 miles TT
My longest high effort TT/ride/race. It took me just under one hour to finish.
It was hard, but I kept pushing, for parts against the wind, for parts with the wind, until I finally crossed the finish line:)
32 mile Road Race
Same day, just three hours and a short nap later. I should have known better and not ride, but I am stubborn. I lost the pack shortly after the start and that made for a lonely race.
Me against the road, the hills, the wind, the pain, my thoughts of giving up...
But I made it and I finished:)
