FSC #5 San Felasco

Well...I thought I was ready for the race.  I had a really good practice yesterday and the course was awesome, but today, I don't know what was wrong with me.  Things just weren't right!!  Thinking back, I had a good nights sleep, woke up in good mood, and ate a decent breakfast at the hotel.  I think, actually I know, when my stinky mood kicked in... as soon as I walked outside.  It was in the forties and I HATE the cold!! I would rather it be a gazillion degrees out than anything below 70!!  The only good thing about the cold weather was that I got to wear my METAL arm warmers.

...But they were even giving me problems.  They were so big I could have worn them as leg warmers.  No problem, Dad to the rescue with the electrical tape.

Then, it was time to warm up and get the chills out of my bones or I wouldn't make it off the starting line.

OK...that didn't work out, it only made me grumpier.

 I was extremely nervous on the starting line. And looking around at some of the other racers, I had a bad feeling I was not going to make podium this time.  And I ended up being right.  Long story short.  I was in the 5th position finishing the first 7 mile lap and almost through the entire second lap. I was giving it everything, I mean absolutely everything, I had.  Then, 6th got me.  I don't know how I made it through the finish line. I had no air left in my lungs and I was crying.  Was I crying because I lost my podium spot?  Maybe... or maybe it was because I have never pushed myself that hard before.  This may sound wierd, but I think this was my best race yet.

**Thanks to the Mace Family for the pictures.

 

FSC #4 ALAFIA

Although I hate to admit it, I haven't been on the bike in 2 weeks.  With the weather and not being able to tear myself away from the mini ramp (my skateboard skills are improving), the training stuff just didn't happen.  But I gotta tell you, no amount of training could have prepared me for the race course at Alafia!!!

After pre-riding the course on Saturday, I almost told my Mom and Dad that I wanted to bail out on the race.  I found the course to be extremely difficult.  With it's non stop steep rooty climbs and drops, I had a hard time trying to get the feel of it.  I practiced different lines to take on the technical sections and nothing really seemed to work (couldn't get the flow going).  Definitely a "power course"... and I only have so much power!! So, after getting home and really thinking about whether or not I should do the race.  I kept asking myself questions like:  Can I really do this race without killing myself?, Am I really up for this huge challenge? Should I take the easy way out and just skip it?  And my answer to the last question was, heck no!!! 

On race day for some reason I felt very relaxed.  I didn't even get all stressed out seeing the other 9 women in my class.  I felt like I was doing this race for me and as long as I did my best...I would be happy.

Here's my short race report because I'm really tired and I have school tomorrow.  I was 5th going into the woods.  Went back and forth with the 4th place lady. I think I got passed by all of the 11-14 year boys (they are sooooo fast!!) Ending up, you guessed it, in 4th place.   In a couple days, check out MTB Mike's blog, I'm sure he will have a cool video of the race.

Weekend Work

 Well...at the beginning of the week I was seriously thinking about doing the Gainesville race. Then, I got the flu and missed a couple days of school.   So, instead of racing, my weekend  was spent doing make up work and recycling the wedge into an awesome half pipe. I'm pretty lucky to have an "old skater Dad".  All I had to do was mention that I thought it would be cool to have a half pipe in the backyard... and then POOF...Dad was out of the house getting the needed supplies with my Papa. And after 2 days of hard work (and the help of my friends), this beautiful thing was created.

My Dad can still bust out some cool tricks.

FSC #2 FORT CLINCH

OK..here I was,  Little 66 lb/10 year old me about ready to race these women.  And I'm thinking...what the heck did I get myself into??  Then, the nerves started to settle in, my stomach was a mess, and I just wanted the whole thing to be over with already.

 

There was a total of 8 beginner women.  I was 6th going into the woods (not good, but better than last).  During the first 7 mile lap, racers #1 and #2 crashed, so I was able to past them and move up to the 4th position.  Feeling awesome and moving along at a good pace, I came across a difficult a climb.  I got off the bike and ran up the hill and ended up passing #3 racer. Then, I came across #2 racer and was able to pass her as she was pushing her bike up a hill. This was too good to be true. I was in second place and kept my position for the rest of the lap and throughout the entire 2nd lap.

Training Stinks

Does anyone hate training as much as I do?? or do you racers actually enjoy it.  I don't even like to hear the word (train) let alone actually doing it.  (Don't get me wrong...I love being on the bike and the rush I get from competing.  I just want to ride- to- ride without having to keep track of my speed .)  But with the upcoming race at FT Clinch , I figured I guess I should get a little practice in.   So I attached the Garmin to my bike, left Mom, Kiki, and Kai in the parking lot... and hit the trails with my Dad.

Oh...by the way.  Cool video of the Tallahassee race (11-14 juniors) on MTBMike's blog.  Too bad that race wasn't in my plan, it looked like alot of fun.

Totally T6

OK Twin Six...I don't think it's necessary to do a review on your awesome alternative cycling apparel.  I think our closets and drawers speak for themselves.  Just for fun I did inventory...and here's the results.

Total T6:  23 Jerseys
                60 T-shirts
                 6  Hats
                 3 Bib shorts
                 1 set Arm warmers
                3 Posters
                2 Thermals
                1 Sweatshirt
               Socks ??  Too many to count
             

 
Yes...we are T6 freaks and proud of it!!!

Tire Talk

Let's talk about MTB tires.  I know what you are probably thinking.  What does a 10 year old girl know about tires???  Believe it or not, I kind of know alot about tires. (Well, at least the tires that work for me, anyway)  So, if your interested in my not-so-professional opinion, keep reading.  For me, the WTB Wolverines 2.2 are my favorite tires.  And now with the new TCS system, my Dad was able to make them tubeless with little effort.  These tires are awesome for Florida.  From the rooty trails at Alafia to the rocky trails at Santos or even the technical climbs at Carter these tires are absolutely the best.  And because they are tubeless, I'm able to lower the air pressure without getting flats.  Lower air pressure + more traction = a ginormous help in climbing hills (I need all the help I can get).

Rolling on...while the Wolverines are my favorite, I was super happy to receive another set of WTB tires from Mr. Chris, the NANO 2.1. Not knowing what the trail conditions were like at Carter, I had my Dad throw the new set of tires on before heading over. And man... can those tires roll.  I was flying on the road and on the parts of the trail when it was nicely packed but, when it came to the sandy parts and the loose gravel, I was wishing I had my Wolverines.  It's so weird how quickly you can lose your confidence if you don't feel 100% comfortable on the bike.  Because I did not have my other tires on, I was a little nervous about going down some of the hills (thinking I was going to crash on the loose gravel).

And finally, sometimes it doesn't matter what kind of tires you have on your bike. It's just quicker to get off and run. (Rollercoaster)     

So thanks for reading my not-so-professional opinion on MTB tires.