This years TOWM was sort of a disaster for me, but also alot of fun. After finding out that the 60 miler was actually 67.2 miles the evening before, I headed to bed. We were camped in a lava field with all sorts of rocks and painful items stabbing me in the back, when Blair got really sick (the 6 hour flu?). Needless to say, I was awake almost the entire night. I still felt pretty good when the alarm went off, and I was looking forward to a day on the bike.
The first 20 miles or so, I was just suffering. For some reason, my bike wasn’t shifting and it was still really cold, so my asthma was acting up a little. After the second aid station, I hit a fast and beautiful dirt road, and from there I had a wonderful day. It was a little bit cold and breezy, and all the trees were turning. So many times during the race, I found myself saying a little prayer thankful for the beauty, for the fresh air, for the blood pumping through my muscles. I am so lucky to have a life like this.
I ate really well and paced myself and just had a really good time throughout. I never crashed and felt like I rode the downhills and technical sections really well. Right before the final aid station it started to rain. I stopped to put on my jacket and looked at the time. It was 3 o’clock. This was a serious bummer because I knew that the cutoff time for the aid station was at 3. About 5 minutes later I rolled in, the rain pouring, and was pulled. Part of me was really upset with myself and dissapointed, but a bigger part of me was smiling and happy and thankful for having so much fun and feeling so good.
I hightailed it back to the venue where the road was already turning to a gooey mess. Blair and I threw all of our wet gear in the car, and decided to leave. Judging by the numbere of other cars leaving, I think it must have been a pretty small crowd that stuck around for the night. After a pitstop at Dairy Queen, Blair drove me home and unpacked. I definately owe him one now.
The good thing about this race is that I felt really good and have obviously built up my endurance. On the other hand, I am slooow. Which I knew, but it was good to be reminded of it. Now I know where I have my work cut out for me.
Overall, I’d have to say it was a lot of FUN!
I missed it again this year, but my Adventure Racing partner rode the 37 and she said it was a good time…….that is until the rain came! Glad you had a good ride up there. Your blogs are always entertaining.