As expected, the heat was the biggest challenge on Saturday. The average temperature during the race was 87 and the high was 93. Even though I live in the desert, my body was not prepared for that heat. 10 minutes into the race I got goosebumps (from over-heating) and they didn't go away until after the awards ceremony. My body was in heat shock (that's my own technical term) that whole time. On my way through the feed zone the first lap I had Cheryl (from the awesome White Pine Touring crew) dump ice water on me, it helped cool me for a few minutes. However, it also had the unintended effect of making my chain unhappy. Dust+ dust+water+ more dust= unhappy/loud chain. So, the second time through I had more ice water dumped on me, but this time I dismounted first to protect my chain. I asked if someone could lube my chain and luckily some guy standing there did, thank you to the unknown chain support guy? Cheryl was the best pit crew I could have asked for. I rode up yelling, both times through, and she was so effeicent in carrying out all of my demands (as if this were World Cup-the way I treat every race!).

Now, the on-course events: the first 5 minutes were the most exciting. Just 4 pro women lined up; Kathy, KC, Jill & I. About 400 yards off the start line Kathy, who was in the lead, took a wrong turn. The course was poorly marked right there and the only reason I knew where to go is that I pre-rode. {As a rule, I always pre-ride a course, but this could have been a poor choice given the heat, I may have been better off sitting in my car in the A/C.} So I took the lead for the next few hundred yards, and then when we hit the slick rock I got chain suck. How? I honestly don't know. I usually understand how it's happened. This one didn't make sense. So I ended up in the back after unsticking my chain. I sat behind Jill for a few minutes through the technical stuff and it was a good thing. I did 3 more dumb errors, unclipping for all of them. I knew I was too revved up over the chain-suck and the heat and I needed to just get into a rhythm and calm down. I re-focused and calmed then worked on catching KC & Kathy. By time I got to KC, Kathy was pretty much gone, never to be seen again. After working to pass KC, I knew I had to temper myself. The heat could easily end this race, so it was a game of pushing to keep my position, but not blowing up. An interesting balance that is in every race. But for me, this race especially since last year I bonked, hard core bonk. More than I ever had before and more than I ever will again. Short synopsis: I just didn't know what I was doing last year.

I ended up in second place (almost enough $ to cover my entry fee!). My goal was to sit on Kathy's wheel for as long as possible, but that didn't happen. Perhaps it was for the best considering everything. I just wanted to see how she rides, since she is a world-class athlete (she just got done doing a stage race in Spain, then placed 13th at Fontana).

The extreme temperatures put everything to the test:

3 bottles of CarboRocket CR 333 half-evil endurance fuel, 2 scoops per 20 oz bottle. My stomach never complained and I kept the leg cramps at bay.

My hands were happy as always with my ESI-grips, no blisters on my hands!

I'm thrilled that it's race season again and I get to see all my northern mountain bike friends regularly now!

Erica, Kathy, KC, Jill