As I sat down to write this blog the first thing that came to my mind wasn't the final results...but instead I thought of all the wonderful people I have supporting me. Three people I want to give a shout out to are the Swimming Diva Lori, the Mermaid Diva Jacque, and the honorary Redneck Diva Sonya. I can always count on these divas to be by my side in one way or another at EVERY event. As much as I LOVE doing these cycling events...they wouldn't be anywhere as fun without friends and family cheering you on. :)
Now...the Tour de Mesa...{http://www.perimeterbicycling.com/!ETP/ETPhome.html}.
Last year I rode the long route- 72miler. It was a long hot ride. This year my goal was different...I did the 26miler and my goal was to finish in the top ten women (and place in the "gold" category). My plan was to ride as fast and hard as I possibly could.
I must admit...my nerves were high as I arrived (even though this wasn't a sanctioned race that counts towards my standings) in the parking lot. I'm unloading my bike and equipment and I see my good friend Laura! WOOT WOOT! As we rode to the start line together my nerves started to fade in the midst of our giggles and photos.
I find my spot in the front of the pack and start to mentally prepare myself for this ride...then I begin to remember the brutal Usery Pass (see map on Garmin)...ugh...last year desert turtles were outpacing me going up the Usery Pass at certain points..."why am I doing this again? I won't make it in the top ten women...ugh"...I stop myself from thinking negatively and remind myself to just have fun.
The ride begins (and it's already hot!) and I keep with the front pack for at least 5 miles...then quickly realize their pace is too fast and I don't want to burn out. I drop back a little to ride with 3 other guys who had a nice pace I could keep up with. The route is beautiful...you can't help but get lost in the awesomeness of it all!
We come to Usery Pass and my heart starts to pound...not from exertion but fear. I set a good cadence for myself and get in a comfortable position for the long hill ahead. The bike mechanic at at the sag stop hollers "nice spin pink!" I give him a big grin and keep truckin' along...
I needed that encouragement! I would have hollered back "thanks!" but I couldn't speak lol. As I slowly spin along the Pass I keep repeating in my head "I can do it, I can do it, I can do it...!" (My thigh muscles disagreed.) As I finish the Pass my heart jumps for joy and I fly down the hill.
WOOT WOOT! I'm in the home stretch now! The traffic cops and people cheering on the side of the road the last ten miles helped a lot...I was surprised to hear the cops yell at me "you're doing good!" as I ride through their intersection. I'm turn onto the last stretch (approx a mile long) and it's a slight incline...my burning thighs say "no more climbing!"...but my head yells back "you're almost done...come on...one last push!!" As I make the final turn to the finish line the crowd is cheering and I push hard to the end...
As I finish the event one of the the event staff guys at the finish line (they mark your # with your "place") says to me "hey, good job, your time is a "gold" finish!" I mouth "thank you" cause I couldn't speak yet lol. I make my way over to the results board and await my results. Tick, tock, tick, tock. The longest ten minutes ever! They finally post my results;
22nd place overall and 3rd place woman! Oh my goodness...it can't be...I was the third woman?!?! My heart leaps for joy (a tiny leap since it was very tired lol)! I did it! I did it! woot woot! Even though this success doesn't "count" towards my status in racing I don't care...I'm SO EXCITED!!!!
A big thank you to my dear friend Chad...he taught me how to ride and encouraged me to get my racing license and join the pro team...without you Chad I wouldn't be where I'm at with my cycling.
So...that's my story. :) Praise be to God for a safe and flat free ride!
Here is the link to my Garmin report...check out the hill!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76762440
