Post by brenda on May 19, 2009 17:47:26 GMT -5
We headed up to Fort Custer State Park in Michagan Saturday for the Xterra race. my boyfriend and his friend were doing the cup series race and i was undecided if i would do the sport race (1/2 the distance of the cup race) due to fear of cold water : )
we preroad the 10 mile mtb course. it was a blast! it was smooth and fast with a roller coaster like feel as the trail weaved in and out of old army trenches. there were a few short steep climbs, and a few downhills with some drop off/step downs. It was not a very technical trail, mostly just fast and fun.
After the ride i was excited about the race, but knew i had to get into the water and see how it felt. i have a no sleeve wet suit and i was told the water was around 63 degrees. it was a very windy day, 25 mph winds and around 45 degrees. i got in the water, it felt about the same as oberlin pool.LOL Even though i didnt feel like i had trained enough to do well, especially for the trail run, i decided to go for it anyway.
Race day was sunny, when the guys doing to cup race started out it was 42 degrees . several people had trouble on the swim. one guy only swam about 100 yards and got out, had a panic attack. besides that there werent any incidents. there was a blind athlete swimming along with someone and then riding a tandem on the bike, and running with a partner on the trail run. very inspirational.
i decided to give myself plenty of time to warm up for the swim, i got in about 30 mins before the start. probably a mistake. too cold to get out, but to cold to stand around in the water. luckily after taking Robs class i was used to warming up with 800yard swims, so i swam around several hundred yards to warm up for my 500m swim and still had plenty of energy left for the swim! my swim went fine, my transistions were the slowest of anyone! 5 mins after the swim and around 3 after the bike.
the bike course was really fun as was the run, which also when through some trenches, and went along the lake. very scenic.
I got 2nd in my age group, there is not that big of a field for females as there are not that many that mountain bike. if not for my transitions i may have gotten first.
it was tons of fun. And after the race there was a full meal and beer included.
it was a great day,wonderfull people, super work out.
we preroad the 10 mile mtb course. it was a blast! it was smooth and fast with a roller coaster like feel as the trail weaved in and out of old army trenches. there were a few short steep climbs, and a few downhills with some drop off/step downs. It was not a very technical trail, mostly just fast and fun.
After the ride i was excited about the race, but knew i had to get into the water and see how it felt. i have a no sleeve wet suit and i was told the water was around 63 degrees. it was a very windy day, 25 mph winds and around 45 degrees. i got in the water, it felt about the same as oberlin pool.LOL Even though i didnt feel like i had trained enough to do well, especially for the trail run, i decided to go for it anyway.
Race day was sunny, when the guys doing to cup race started out it was 42 degrees . several people had trouble on the swim. one guy only swam about 100 yards and got out, had a panic attack. besides that there werent any incidents. there was a blind athlete swimming along with someone and then riding a tandem on the bike, and running with a partner on the trail run. very inspirational.
i decided to give myself plenty of time to warm up for the swim, i got in about 30 mins before the start. probably a mistake. too cold to get out, but to cold to stand around in the water. luckily after taking Robs class i was used to warming up with 800yard swims, so i swam around several hundred yards to warm up for my 500m swim and still had plenty of energy left for the swim! my swim went fine, my transistions were the slowest of anyone! 5 mins after the swim and around 3 after the bike.
the bike course was really fun as was the run, which also when through some trenches, and went along the lake. very scenic.
I got 2nd in my age group, there is not that big of a field for females as there are not that many that mountain bike. if not for my transitions i may have gotten first.
it was tons of fun. And after the race there was a full meal and beer included.
it was a great day,wonderfull people, super work out.
