Why Bother!

Well things WERE going well until we had to race in some of the hottest temps/conditions I have ever raced in (almost as bad as Bonelli 2004, but at least this time I didn't DNF). I need to revisit my hydration/electrolyte plan, and even my food plan because my stomach was in turmoil during the race. Some may ask why we would actually do a race in near 100 degree temps, I am asking myself that same question! HOWEVER, I learned that I need to take a step back and evaluate my race nutrition.

I felt good at the start and surprisingly excited to go out and race, but soon into the first lap, my stomach started churning. It was not pleased with me. It was unbelievably hot, with little wind. I quickly fell out of 2nd place; descending down the bumpy trail just made my sidestiches and stomach discomfort worse.

After a couple laps I started to feel somewhat better, although I felt like the heat just ate up all of my power. There were a few climbs were it literally felt like we were on fire. The last climb of the 3rd (out of 4) laps, I started to get disoriented/dizzy and more nauseous. I had a bottle mishap where I didn't get a bottle before the 3rd lap started which may have thrown me off. However, I am not sure it would have helped. I did feel thirsty which is never a good sign! I knew it would lead to problems. At one point I felt like I was going to vomit, but it subsided.

On lap 4, even after being cooled off with hoses by spectators, my body was just shutting down. I was sort of delirious, but do remember hearing Bert's name called out over the loud speaker as starting his 5th lap and kicking butt in semi pro (as usual!). It was sort of like an out of body experience at that point! Other girls started to pass me and I basically knew it was just not my day. I saw Joy and told her to hurry up and pass me because "everyone else was doing it". The cramps were getting bad enough where I just couldn't push like I wanted to. People pulled away from me pretty quickly on that last lap :o) However, It was fun to get to see Teri and Joy have a good day (well Joy's was good until the drive home, and when she discovered her sunburn through her jersey .. see http://joyonbike.blogspot.com for more!)

Congrats to Teri for being a great teammate out there and staying positive and smiling finishing 3rd. She deserved the podium for sure! I knew right away that her attitude and sportsmanship was stellar and I was hoping she would make it to the podium. Also congrats to Mandy who took a solid 2nd place! I closed out the field in 4th place.

Congrats to Jeremy who did great in his sport race, taking home another medal. 4th out of 15 riders.

Also James who was called up to the start line as a leader in his class. THAT WAS AWESOME to hear! Thanks to James for being a great friend and support no matter what (and for helping my friends). I decided to be silly and run in my flip flops along side James on his last lap.

Bert once again kicked butt out there! He's amazing!

Thanks to everyone who cheered for me and poured water bottles on me. Roger, Vanessa, James, Mary Ellen, who knows who else! I can't remember because I was delerious. Chris was out there cheering in a good spot, I am sure everyone who saw me out there, knew it was apparently my turn to have a bad day! Thanks for the support anyways and it means alot.

Next stops: NORBA #3 Mount Snow Vermont and UCI World Cup XC #5: Mt St Anne, Quebec, Canada.

I am bringing my laptop so race reports should happen promptly!