The Canyons Finale

There were no expectations for this last race.  Due to being sick and Royce having surgery I did not get to pre-ride the course.  I had gotten some good descriptions, but had a hard time visualizing it except for the fire road climb up and down--luckily that part was taken out.

There were 11 women in my division for this race which is a great showing.  Our group got off to a rough start 2 women ended up skidding on the loose dirt with one of them bring me down.  She was very apologetic, and I told her no worries--stuff happens  The climb was not so bad, and I was able to see most of the group (a first in a long time) up until we entered the singletrack.  At that point they became lost in the trees and turns.

The climb seemed long, even though it wasn't, and I persisted at the best pace I could go.  At one point there was a long train of racers behind me.  This really concerned me, I was worried I was holding people up, but no one asked to pass, so I kept going.  Eventually a couple of people passed and I kept pluggin' along.  Boy was I happy when we made the down hill.

I "killed" the down hill!  Everyone that passed me going up, I passed back and I ended up passing some that had started in front of me.  Everyone was great about letting me pass and because of their cooperation I ended up coming in for my 2nd lap with two others from my division--a first!

The second lap was short since we did the 12 year old lap.  The gals that came in with me on the first lap ended up putting only a short distance between us on the climb.  I felt confidant I could pass them on the down hill.  Just prior to entering the single track one of the gals got a flat.  Up next was to catch the second gal.  I ripped down the hill and was closing the gap when I ended up falling/bobbling on the last switchback.  I got back on my bike and took off, but it was just enough to prevent me from catching her.

I took 7th place and was only 7 minutes behind 2nd place and seperated by just minutes with the other places!  I finally am seeing progress as I work my way towards recovery. 

Surprisingly I took 3rd overall for the season.  I am happy about the overall win, but somewhat ambivalent.  I don't know that I really deserve it.  I didn't show up to all of the races, for obvious races (the surgery and such).  I only placed in the top 3 and 4 one or 2 times, the rest of the time I was mid-pack or at the very bottom.  I was never the fastest person out there or for that matter even remotely close.  So there are mixed feelings about the whole thing.  But I won it and now can aim for something higher.

Picture taken by Lyna Saffell

The season was good and very hard, I am somewhat relieved it is over.  I don't know that anyone should use racing as part of their recovery, but I did--no regrets.  I learned a lot about myself.  There were many times I wondered why I was doing this, but it seems each race there was someone or something to remind me.  I am glad the season is over now and I can just ride and really begin my way towards recovery--I think it is long over do.