Sunday, August 26, 2007

MSC #6

The sixth (and for me, final) Mountain States Cup race of the season came to Eldora Resort near Nederland, Colorado. I raced in both the Short Track (Saturday) and the Cross Country (Sunday).
First, short track. This race, for those not familiar, is the shortened, spectator friendly version of cross country racing. Short track races are between 30 and 45 minutes total, and riders complete many of the brief laps (something less than a mile long). It hurts. Thirty minutes may not seem like much when you are watching, but every minute consists of 60 seconds, of which the racers are excruciatingly aware.
Since the race is so brief, a good start is essential. I didn't get one. Too many women on a very narrow course left me stuck behind two people who had crashed into each other. I spent the rest of the race picking off racers in front of me. I eventually was pulled to make room for the women (Katie Compton) leading the pack. Fine by me, but I did not place very high.
The next day offered the hope of better results, but it was not to be. I had some body issues, so though I had great fun riding the course, I just couldn't seem to go fast. I ended up finishing second to last in the cross country race.
Truth be told, I'm not bothered by the weekend's poor results. If I performed that badly every race, I'd start having second thoughts. But everyone has less-than-spectacular results--these were mine.
Coming up next: My favorite race ever--The Copper Harbor Fat Tire
It's my chance to return to the Upper Peninsula (yes, Michigan), and remember just how good the trails are up there. Dirt jumps and KBC microbrew, here I come!

1 comment:

WPG said...

some days you own the trail, some days the trail owns you. what are you gonna do?