Back on the West Coast

It feels good to be back, after 13 days of busy travel and racing and being sick.

Apparently my poor performance in Vermont was a combination of allergies, asthma and coming down with an upper respiratory infection. I started antibiotics about a week ago (thanks to my allergist who takes very good care of me!)

The days in between VT and our trip to World Cup at Mont Saint Anne, QC were good. Spent time with family, friends and did some work, ate some really good food, etc. However, I was coughing and hacking and feeling generally crappy. Had some emotional moments once I realized that I might not be able to race the World Cup and reflecting on my terrible performances in Vermont. My parents and Greg and Teri did a good job convincing me to just give it my best shot. Greg told me that even if I lined up at the start, and couldn't even do 1 lap, I was still going to try!

Gareth had me take it easy most of the week to try to recover from my illness. Therefore on Friday at Mt St Anne, I could only do a visual inspection of parts of the race course. Knowing I would pre-ride Saturday AM, then race on Sunday I was ok with this. Greg and I watched the Quebec Cup race on Friday and I was able to pick out some lines I would take through the technical sections when I could finally ride it. Meggan and Teri were out pre-riding Fri evening and Greg and I went out again for more visual inspection.

Saturday AM I was eager to get out and pre-ride even though I was still feeling asthmatic and quite congested. Meggan told me it was OK if I had to stop and hack :o). I definately took advantage of it. Teri, Meggan and I did a few laps of the short, yet highly technical course. I really enjoyed being out there pre-riding with all of the other pros. Got to see many of my favorites on the men's and women's side.

The course was only 5k in length, and would end up taking the top female races only 20 minutes to complete. yes that means people were going to be lapped. My goal was to stay in as long as I could. I knew that being sick that could mean only 1 or even 2 laps. Who knows! There were a few sections where we would have to dismount and walk, but also alot of fun root/rock/mud sections where we rode. I must say other than the heat and humidity and allergens, I LOVE EAST COAST RIDING! It's REAL MOUNTAIN BIKING!

Sunday was the race! I was nervous because I still didn't feel great, but was excited to just get to try! They called all of us to the start line (there were around 80 women). The race started out SUPER fast and my legs tried to answer as best they could given the situation. It was going to be a tough race! The spectators certainly kept me going. It was just as I had imagined and seen in Off Road to Athens. Fans were ALL over the course, shouting, clapping, cheering in different languages (mostly French) and were very excited to be there. In the end I only survived 2 laps before being pulled, but didn't finish last and met a cool gal from New Zealand who was ALSO sick and gave the race a try just like me.

Highlights of the day:
1. Being called up to the start line in French "Numero soixante-dix-huit, aux Etats-Unis... Christie Pleiss"

2. The amazing spectators! "Allez! Allez! Allons-y! UP UP UP! Let's go!"

3. The spectators who were actually shouting out my name! It took my a while to figure this one out, but I remembered Heather telling me that some people will call your name when you come by!

4. Greg got to be feeder for me, Teri, Dara Marks-Marino (she finsihed 21st even after a bad crash!), Zeph and Heather . He did a great job! I know that Joy would have really liked this job too. NEXT YEAR JOY!

5. Watching Marie-Helene Premont beat Gunn-Rita with nearly a 1 minute gap! Teri and I were right at the finish line to watch this. It was an emotional sight and seeing Marie-Helene take the win over Gunn-Rita a 2nd year in a row in her own home race was AWESOME!

**** 6. Seeing Mary McConneloug get a solid 5th place podium finish!!!!!!!!

Overall, it was an awesome experience and I would definatley do it again. Hopefully I will be healthy this time and can stay in the race longer before being pulled! Nearly 1/2 of the field was pulled out of the race before the final lap! In the men's race even MORE were pulled out and some only did 1 lap!

Photos to come SOON!