Howdy all. In short, my life got completely out of hand for a while in June and July, so my apologies for the absence from bloggy-land. But, I have vowed to get back on the blogging wagon from here on in. But, I am still lame because I have no photos. Baby steps, baby steps.
Here are links to the blogs I just wrote for Mtbrace news.com about the Intermontane Challenge Stage Race that I just completed today. Stage 1 and 2 and Stage 3 and 4...5 will make it up soon, so keep looking there.
It was the hardest race I have ever done. It was 100 degrees every day. Rumor has it that Fuzzy is going to start an Intermontane Challenge support group on facebook where we will all be able to share our feelings and network to locate therapists who can address our post-traumatic stage racing stress issues. Lots has been written about the race so far. Click to Velo News' write up here for Day 1, here for day 2 and here for Day 3, which was neutralized.
In a nutshell, after loosing 35 min. on day one when I took a guess on an unmarked turn with a group of guys, I somehow ended up taking 2nd overall in the end. I am splitting my prize money with 3rd place, Sarah Kaufman. Nothing about this race has been fair to anyone involved and sharing my prize $ was the one thing I could do to right at least one of the wrongs. I got lost Monday. Sarah got lost both Wednesday and Thursday. Sue got lost on Wednesday with Jen O'Conner but the stage was neutralized. Heck, Jen got lost on day 1 three times and lost 50 min after coming all the way from England to school us. She was darn FAST and it's a shame she couldn't have been there to contend the race.
But, as I am one to always try to make the best out of things, I rode my heart out every minute of every day no matter where I was in the GC. I got some incredible training in, learned a lot and made a lot of new pals. Nate was invaluable to my success and I never, ever could have done it without him. He not only stood in the 100 deg heat all day to hand me cold bottles, put ice down my shirt and give me a new wheel when I flatted on day 2, he sent me straight up to my room every day after the stage to shower, eat and rest while he fixed and washed my bike. He is tougher and more patient than I will ever be and he does it all with a smile. How I ever got so lucky, I just don't know...However, Nate got some kicks by racing in the Support Crew Rally Car/On-Your-Own-Navigation division all week, as there were no directions to feed zones for support crews for any of the stages. Getting to the feedzones was its own separate race.
Tomorrow we head home so I can begin resting up for the next biggie: Leadville!! I hope my dog remembers who I am.
