Tsali

Last weekend we went up to Tsali for the 3rd SERC race. I love Tsali when its dry- its fast, hilly and not too technical. We pre-road a long loop on Saturday that was about 19 miles, I was really worried that the race was going to kick my butt. I have never ridden 29 miles on the mountain bike let alone have to race it.

That night we met my teammates at an awesome cabin. Anina and her husband John made us all an amazing dinner. And, all the girls had a great time hanging out. Reid is still asking me what we were all talking about (I guess he kept hearing bursts of laughter from upstairs).

Sunday we all woke up to nerves. Kym was nervous about winning, I was nervous about bonking. So I decided it would be an excellent idea to eat everything in sight. I ate a bowl of cereal with lots of milk. That was my first mistake. Then I changed my sport drink.

At the start of the race Anina told me I had to go super hard and be at the front. So, we start going up this gradual hill, and then go into the trail which had a steep uphill. I was in the wrong gearing and couldn't make it up, I took out half the field. Opps...but no one seemed upset at me, which made me surprised. Pretty sure if we had been road racing I would have been thrown in a ditch.

After getting off the bike, most of the field had passed me and I was all flustered. I tried to make up time and got more flustered, making more mistakes. After awhile I settled in and then the crazy sport men came by. Wow, that is a lot of testosterone.

By the second lap I had caught up to two girls and passed them. I felt like I was making up good time. And then it hit me, my stomach. It was bad, I could barely move, it was all I could do to keep pedaling, and the descents were not helping. The girls passed me back with about 3 miles to go, and I was just hoping I could make it back to the finish. It took me awhile but I was finally better, I have learned my lesson and will stick to foods I can eat, and drinks I know.

I was happy with my result. I was not far behind the five girls in front of me, so I know I can do better. My teammates of course kicked butt, and are all awesome. I forgot my camera but got this picture off the race promoters website. Its some of our team at the start line.

Tomorrow Reid and I are going to Columbus GA. I am looking forward to this race, it will be smaller than the SERC races, my goal is to stay on the bike and eat right.