Fun times in Durango

I left the 'way on Friday, stopping in Ouray to say hi to the good peeps at the Tisdel Law Firm (my first job out of law school). The drive was uneventful but bella vista filled. After picking up my race stuff (water bottle + gel is far superior to t-shirt!) I headed to Comp-town aka the back 40. I got a warm welcome from Bitsy, Precious and Zoe--its always so great coming to Durango. Got to do a little hang time with Moira and Ted before sleepy time.

Saturday morning was the Iron Horse Road Race. Last year the event was cancelled because of snow. This year was looking ominous--but thanks to some sacrificial xmas tree burns and the fact that a bunch of us carried our rain jackets--the weather held! We had a great field in the women's pro 1-2 field. Former winner Mara Abbott was back along with some of Colorado's best chica climbers. Can't leave out newborn superstar Alisha Welsh from the 801 either (she and mtb hubby Dave came down for the fun too). 

We rolled out of town at a fairly mellow pace (like every year) and as soon as we crossed the railroad tracks, Mara Abbot was on the front driving it. By the top of the 1st climb, things were pretty shattered. Teammate (and eventual 2nd place) Marisa was ahead in a group with the uber climbers. Next were a couple of differently morphing groups--of which Ambre and I were in. I tried to hang with a group of 3 but I popped off that before too long. I was caught by a group including Ambre, Shantelle and Tiffany Cromwell. Shantelle and Tiffany rode away and then it was Ambre, a Specialized rider and me. We lost Ambre and I just tried to hang for dear life on the Specialized rider's wheel on the climbs. I played every trick on myself that I could. One thing I've learned is thinking about how much you're suffering or thinking you suck never helps. So I sat there telling myself how awesome I was and how great I was doing. Also called upon yoga practice to think about breathing, relaxing and letting the negative stuff go. Even when the rider I was with started pulling away up Coal Bank pass, I told myself to stay calm, and to think positive ("you can probably catch her on the descent--you DEFINITELY outweigh her"). I also told myself that no matter what I was having an awesome ride (for me) and that I was doing the best I'd ever done in this race. I got some awesome encouragement from Randy (Peak to Peak) when I passed which helped a lot too.

I was able to pass the other rider on the descent which gave me a little boost. As we hit the base of the climb up to Molas I just HAMMERED as hard as I could--trying to buy myself as much time as possible before I figured this rider would pass me. Fortunately, she never did pass me on the climb, and I finished in 12th. 

At the finish I learned the teammate Marisa finished 2nd--only about 10 seconds behind Mara Abbot. Amazing! Was also psyched to hear that Alisha finished 3rd--great! Results here.

After a race, its very common to hear people wondering aloud "what if...." what if I'd gone harder? what if I'd conserved more on this part? Its a real bummer when you feel that way. I know that in yesterday's race--I was totally happy with how I rode. I couldn't have gone any harder--I left everything out there. I wouldn't have done anything differently. I think I backed off when I needed to and hammered as much as I could. There's nothing more satisfying than winning--but feeling like you did everything you could and had the best possible ride YOU could have is also satisfying (in a different way). 

It was a great day for our team: with Ambre finishing in 15th and Luisa in about 17th I think, we had 4 riders in the top 20. 

After the race, I got some serious quality time with the Mapel clan. Meredith and I split a Kobe beef burger at the Pickle Barrel and had some good laughs with the rest of her family and their friends. Back at Comp-town, I burned down about the race with Moira and Ted before we all headed to the Mapels for a big dinner (that was after I ate most of the salami and olives in Moira's fridge--post race antipasto). At the Mapels, I got some super secret race strategy from Jimmy Kight and Ted for the crit today. 

Oh yeah, there's a crit today. Its been pouring down rain all morning. I'm thinking carbon wheels are the ticket. 

In between the great racing--its been super super fun hanging with the Durango crew. Its a bummer the hubs is not here but someone had to represent us at a wedding in Orlando. 

So from the San Juans, Tiffp is out--more race and funtimes reporting to follow soon!