Among my goals this year sat the Greenbriar Marathon (USA Cycling Point Series). Having a feel for the field and knowing what I like to do, I had my eyes set on WINNING the Marathon.
Justin has a cast on and has to bail on this event, but he still goes out with me and helps me get ready, watches and cheers, takes a few photos that I swear are turtles but he says it looked just like me going by(!).
This course is short laps for 4hours. The course has just enough small climbs, short rock sections, and flat sprints that it's hard to tell what strength is the best to have here. But typically, anyone going for USA points is in the XC race here, making me feel that I will do ok. I approach the start with crossed fingers, hoping my assumption is right! Although there are WAY more girls than I anticipate, I do not see anyone recognizable fasties. This is good. I like the OPEN WOMEN categories, even though I am always at a disadvantage by age and skill.
The start is me a bike length ahead of a few girls, the rest are starting slower. Immediately as we hit the doubletrack I think about slowing down, I freakin' do not want to be in front NOW. As we crest the hill which is where I can usually gain on someone, I let the two on my tail get around and plan to keep their pace. Before we finish a lap they have both dabbed and even with space between us I can't help but pass them back up. I decide screw it, I am just going. The worst that can happen is I bonk with hopefully a small lead that I can maintain and they get tired. So this works for the entire 4 hours, as more and more peeps are on the course for the XC, it gets hard to keep track of who the girls are coming by and with more people in some spots it gets congested with some hold ups. But it's all good, JP tells me each lap I have gained a few more minutes lead!! I am SO excited I am going go make my first goal of year and it's only my second race this year so far.
About 15 minutes from the end of the entire day, PPPSSSSSTTTT. Just like that, did a little baby launch off a rock on a downhill and it was all over. I quickly get everything fixed up, but make a boo-boo and don't get enough air in with CO2. I do not have a pump and am too proud to ask to borrow one. Number 2 girl passes just as I am getting the wheel back on. I quickly ride to catch her, the low air being very obvious. Not a few minutes later it pinches again. It's over. I am so mad at myself for not carrying a pump, I refuse to DNF, and tote my bike over my shoulders to the end, while one by one all the Marathon girls come by. The 15 minutes leading to fame turn into 40 minutes of failure. As I get to the end, JP is quick to announce how I screwed up a flat.
Thanks Brad for passing me in style, coming to find me on the course, walking it out with me, chit chatting and getting my bike and me back to the camp.
Thanks JP for handing me new bottles and the pictures even though I swear it's not me:-)
Thanks JR for cheering & WVMBA Team & Pro Bikes support.
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