
Finally things started to wind up and before long I was picking up my race packet and ready to ride. I got to the race before the family, so I spent much of the time walking around, peeing, thinking, and wondering about what to expect.
This is my first race since I was 16 and I just can''t get over how I am now in the 27 to 34 year age bracket (And on the tail end too). I guess life happens. I remember when I was 16 thinking about the old guys and 34 seemed like a life time away. Fast forward, its 2010 and here I am.
The race started with a mass start. Ages 16 to 34. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I lingered in the back of the starting line. I was afraid to get bumped to pushed around during the mass start. 3, 2, 1, GO, GO GO! Once we started rolling everything seemed to gel. Within the first mile I was in the front. The pace was good and at about mile 2, I lost my first water bottle. Then at mile three my last water bottle decided to ditch the race. So there I was, water bottle-less and many miles to go! To say I was worried was an understatement.
I tried to put my waterless water bottle fiasco away and focus on the task at hand. At the top of the last climb of the first loop, I saw a spectator and asked if he had a water bottle. He did and it had about 10% of water left. I thanked him and will definably pay it forward.
Lap two I was in a really good position, top 5. With two more miles to go my legs started to cramp really bad. I had to stop. Man they hurt so bad. I considered quitting. Many racers past me by and Romeo, a fellow MTB'er and racer, asked if I was okay. I said major cramping. At this point what little water I had was gone. He was nice enough to give me this spare water bottle. I stretched some and took in some fluids. Then I got back on the bike and finished the race.
After Race Notes to Self: Before race, drink some type of supplement drink. Have smaller water bottles or a Camel Back when racing. Stretch more before, during and after race. Riding on grass feels weird and is not very smooth.


Romeo! It was nice seeing a fellow rider today. You did great and thanks for the bottle.










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