Goal for this race: Finish the race.
I couldn't believe how much I stressed out the week before this race.
First issue was that my ABA Racing license had not arrived even though I had applied for it 4 weeks prior to this race. Because of this I could not pre-register for the race. I phoned up the organizer and they said it should be OK and that they'll put my name on a list in case it doesn't show up.
Second issue was driving to Lethbridge and back by myself for the first time. I knew is was going to be a long drive by myself and wasn't sure how I'd stay awake on the way back.
I packed everything the night before and triple checked to make sure I had all my essentials. I had shifting issues with my Vertex during the group mountain bike ride and didn't have time to fix it, so I decided to bring my Prophet with me for this race.
After getting to the venue I talked to the ABA rep and my license was there waiting for me. I paid my fee, got my plate and went over to where my team was setting up.
This is where I mae my first mistake. I met up with another DG and she wanted to watch the hill climb event...so I decided to go along and cheer on my teammates who were climbing it. I learned it is not a good idea to climb a 2km hill with a heavy trail bike without really warming up first. After the hill climb finished up, the MTB course was finally open for a pre-ride.
During the pre-ride my quads were already killing me...and they were considering 3 laps for my category.
After talking to ABA it looked like a lot of the Novices felt that 2 laps was enough for the first race of the season (and for a bunch of us...the first race ever). I didn't even think I could do 1 more lap, let alone 2. It was at this point the thought of dropping out the race crossed my mind...if only for a split second. Then I remembered Cyrus telling me that placing is secondary and the experience comes first...so I decided to just go out and give it my best. Racing is supposed to be hard...if it was easy, everyone would do it.
When we all lined up at the start, I was a nervous wreck. Although this was technically not my first mountain bike race, it sure felt like it. I looked around and I was one of the few people with a camelbak because my Prophet doesn't have space for a water bottle cage. I also had one of the heaviest bikes of the group, 5.5 inches of travel with no lockouts and these huge 2.25 all-mountain tires.
The whistle went and everyone just took off. I was getting passed like mad on the starting hilll climb and even on the downhill portions of the race. By the midway point of the first lap I was already sucking air bad...I could barely breathe properly.
The second lap came around and my team cheered for me while I grinded up the hill (slowly). I thought for sure I would nothing left for this lap...all I could think of was to just to keep pedalling. A few more riders passed me on the last half of the course and at this point I thought for sure, I was in last place. As I did the final descent it looked like someone in my category had taken the descent too fast and bailed into the bush. As I rode by I asked to make sure he was OK...I got the thumbs up so I kept going. Sweet...I'm not last anymore. I cranked out to the finish and was actually really happy I had just completed my first race. My goal for the day had been met.
After watching the experts and elites race I decided to call it a day and head back to Calgary.
To make it back...I had to drink my first ever full can of energy drink. Because I don't drink energy drinks at all...I was pretty wired the entire drive home. The road to Lethbridge is really boring...just so you know.
Final results: 12/21
I couldn't believe it when I saw the result. I guess I hadn't done as bad as I thought. I figure I could have done a little better if I had my Vertex and prepared myself better for the race....but this is what racing is all about...learning how to get better at it.
Things I learned:1. Don't race the Prophet
2. Don't wear a Camelbak
3. Pre-riding the course is really important
4. Check to make sure you bring food and recovery/sport drinks to the race (I went the entire day on a bagel, orange juice and an oatmeal bar I found in my car...seriously...I had my first real meal when I got back to Calgary)
5. Stretch properly before and after the race
6. Get fitted on my bikes
7. Just giver
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