What an amazing day and fantastic experience.
Two weeks ago(already!) we took off for Squamish for a little X-tra mountain biking, and for me to try an Xterra race.
What a place to do my first one.
I planned last year to do this, but never made any solid effort to make it happen. Then last minute, we decided to head out, and soak up the last bit of summer in a place we love. So 5 super days of riding, a little race in there, and what stellar time it was!
We pre-rode the route a couple days before the race, and I second guessed doing the race. How could I be ready for THAT! We ride very different terrain in AB. There is still good technical riding in AB, but not like what I was experiencing that afternoon.
I knew that the riding was going to be technical, but holy s#$@ I didn't expect THAT! For being pretty new to mountain biking, it was like nothing I've riden.
So I sucked it up, grumble my way through the rest of the ride that afternoon, and said I would think about what I was ultimately going to do. I was considering not doing the race. Keeping in mind, I never really "trained" for this race. It was a last minute "yah what a fun way to finish off the summer" idea. Registered, got plane tickets, and a rental car, and two weeks later we were in Squamish.
Every moment of that route, I was cursing at the fact that I was not ready to ride this. But later that day, with some reminders from my good friends, that I wasn't the only one feeling despondent, and that this was the West Coast so suck it up, I let go of my expectations and decided to just do it.
The day before the race I hit the water, did the pre-race stuff, and then readied myself for the next day. Easy peasy. No stress, just ready.
The morning at the lake was incredible. I wasn't nervous, I felt good about being there, and just let 'r rip as best I could.
The swim was well paced for me, then on to the bike. I paced myself through it. Let the pro's whiz by, and got through sections that I wasn't able to do two days ago! All I could think was " I wish my honey could see me accomplish this, he'd be so proud!" Finally after an hour and a halfish, I was out of the bike course. I was so psyched to get on to the run section.
The run was just as challenging, but I think a little more beautiful than the bike portion.
Wham bam, after 3 hours I was done. Not a stellar time, but I finished, and had an incredible experience. No IMC by any means, but my own accomplishment. Something I didn't think I was able to do.
Not a bad way to finish the season. Okay who am I kidding. I ended up with a new bike today! The season is still going!
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