Glad to be back home today and finally resting! Two back to back weekends in Nathrop is definitely enough to last me until next year - it is my least favorite XC course (although the short track is fun).
Racing this past weekend was successful, but especially tough, having been so sleep-deprived and extremely stressed out over the past few weeks. I never felt good the whole weekend - my legs were dead, my eyes were tired, but my indelible competitive spirit would not let me give in, or give up!
The XC race on Saturday started out FAST! I quickly realized that racing Expert has a much different dynamic than does Sport. My first lap went smooth, but I could feel my legs had no pep in them whatsoever, and I dreaded the following 3 laps. It was a struggle, just to keep going after the 2nd, but I was determined to finish. (In my first mountain bike race ever in 2006, when I was riding Beginner, I finished dead last, so I figured nothing could be as bad now!!!) The 3rd was the hardest, as even the smallest of the uphills had me red-lining, and the 4th lap was basically damage control - I only got passed by one girl.
Riding up the windy fence line for the 4th time (definitely the hallmark of the Nathrop course), and in the midst of verbally conversing with myself and trying to elicit some motivation, I spotted Chris taking pictures! He immediately spurred me on, and I actually got a second wind! I crusied through the next 3 miles, and finished 7th in my class. Overall, 4 laps and 30 miles was the toughest physical effort I've put out for a long time, and was happy to be done!
My goal for Sunday's short track was just to finish, and earn some points for the team, and I did just that. After a relaxing Saturday evening hanging out with the CoMo's, I felt much better. The short track course was the same as last year, although like everything else, it was about 5 times more sandy. There was only one narrow track to ride, in the middle of the course, which made passing particularly precarious. My legs still felt demolished from the previous day, but I finished a respectable 4th in my class. (I think it was the new aerodynamic skinsuit!!)
Through the entire weekend, it was a good accomplishment to race well, especially my first races in Expert, and considering the lack of "real" training, and sleep deprivation. I get this week off from school, before starting the summer semester next week. In the meantime, I hope to set a personal record for sleeping!
Racing this past weekend was successful, but especially tough, having been so sleep-deprived and extremely stressed out over the past few weeks. I never felt good the whole weekend - my legs were dead, my eyes were tired, but my indelible competitive spirit would not let me give in, or give up!
The XC race on Saturday started out FAST! I quickly realized that racing Expert has a much different dynamic than does Sport. My first lap went smooth, but I could feel my legs had no pep in them whatsoever, and I dreaded the following 3 laps. It was a struggle, just to keep going after the 2nd, but I was determined to finish. (In my first mountain bike race ever in 2006, when I was riding Beginner, I finished dead last, so I figured nothing could be as bad now!!!) The 3rd was the hardest, as even the smallest of the uphills had me red-lining, and the 4th lap was basically damage control - I only got passed by one girl. 
Riding up the windy fence line for the 4th time (definitely the hallmark of the Nathrop course), and in the midst of verbally conversing with myself and trying to elicit some motivation, I spotted Chris taking pictures! He immediately spurred me on, and I actually got a second wind! I crusied through the next 3 miles, and finished 7th in my class. Overall, 4 laps and 30 miles was the toughest physical effort I've put out for a long time, and was happy to be done!
My goal for Sunday's short track was just to finish, and earn some points for the team, and I did just that. After a relaxing Saturday evening hanging out with the CoMo's, I felt much better. The short track course was the same as last year, although like everything else, it was about 5 times more sandy. There was only one narrow track to ride, in the middle of the course, which made passing particularly precarious. My legs still felt demolished from the previous day, but I finished a respectable 4th in my class. (I think it was the new aerodynamic skinsuit!!)
Through the entire weekend, it was a good accomplishment to race well, especially my first races in Expert, and considering the lack of "real" training, and sleep deprivation. I get this week off from school, before starting the summer semester next week. In the meantime, I hope to set a personal record for sleeping!
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