Not According to Plan

 Never Believe a Nay Sayer!

PreRace Workouts:  Having completed my first race two weeks ago, I made sure to ride twice a week for the last two weeks in order to improve my strength.

Race Day: F-F-F-F-Freezing

 Although it was cold, I was doing this!  Today's goal:  finish in less than 2 hours.
  

Competition says "hello".  (BTW the lump on my back is my water pack)

At the start line, I met this wonderful lady.  She was incredibly nervous about this race and didn't want to be last.  Pffft, she was leagues ahead of me.  Lesson learned, never listen to other racers tell you how slow they are. . .they are setting you up.  Having already done this once, I already knew I was back of the pack material.  Once again, I took off in last place and held my position throughout the course.  The lady I was talking to?  She completed three laps 33 seconds after I completed two. 

Lap 1 - The look of misery

Lap 1:  As I worked my way around the first lap, I realized this wasn't the same five mile loop as last time.  We reversed direction and there were a LOT of up hill climbs (or in my case up hill walks).  By the end of the first lap, I was running slower than two weeks ago and I had major cramping in my right leg.  This was definately an OFF day.

Lap 2:  Not sure I could feel more awful.  I was now walking up EVERY hill and barely staying on my bike on the downhills.  The only positive part of this race was the  beautiful trails that we were weaving through.  I do love those swishy, twisty trails!

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!  As I came through the counting corral, I was pulled off the track.  New rule:  If you don't clear lap 2 in 1 hour 30 minutes, you are done after lap 2.  I finished lap 2 in 1 hour 38 minutes and 4 seconds.  I was passed by everyone except for three ladies.  As I dragged my bike to the car, the tears started.  I had failed miserably.  I stunk at everything.  The climbs were too hard, the downs were too bumpy, I hated getting passed by people, I'd never get any good at this.  I have become a nay sayer!!!

And then there were two!

Much to my displeasure, I was awarded a fourth place medal.  I told the guys that if I can't complete three laps, I shouldn't get a medal.  I didn't mean to make them feel bad, but getting a medal just because you only had four racers in your age catergory really isn't like earning a medal.  Later, as I reflected about it, I decided I earned this medal after all.  Who else would race an event they knew they were going to be last place in? 

The cheering squad.

As I pulled myself together, I realized I had a cheering squad.  My oldest and youngest arrived and were there to make me smile.  A new determination set it - I wasn't going to do this poorly EVER AGAIN!  GAME ON!!!  When I got home, I purchased a training manual for beginner mountain bike racers and specifically female racers.  I had a plan and darn it, I wasn't going to be last again!!!