Threepeat!!! For the third year straight I've won the Mt. Ogden 50K at Snowbasin! To be honest, I had some doubts about it this year, I just wasn't sure if I'd rebuilt enough fitness to keep up a race pace for over 3 hours. I planned to keep my climbing tempered for as long as possible. I sat on
Kelsy's wheel for about 40 minutes then decided to go. The climb continued for another 40 minutes so that gave me time to put some distance on Kelsy. Part way down the descent she caught me. I knew I had two big climbs left, so I was going to have to put more time in. I caught her on the next climb and worked to stay in front and was sure she was right there. The next descent was on trails I'd never seen, then we finally joined in with the old course and I gained some confidence. The last few miles of single track before the road seemed to go on forever. I was sure I was going to be caught, so I worked to maintain my pace, but not go too hard. I needed to leave plenty in my legs for the finish, which is a 2 mile climb on a steep paved road. As soon as I hit the pavement I got in my "focused" position and concentrated on looking up and keeping my rhythm. As I rounded the last corner I picked up the pace and rolled under the finish line with happy tears in my eyes! It feels incredible to be racing again, it truly is my love and passion in life! I'm amazed that just 8 weeks ago I was sitting in a hospital bed, unsure when I'd even be able to ride again. The body can heal very quickly, especially if you take care of it!
The race swag was excellent as always. I won a Rockwell Watch-The
Apostle Swiss Phantom (now I can be hip!), a
Schwalbe Evolution tire, $20 to
Top Gear Bike shop in Bountiful and $100 to
Kuhl! The
Rocky Mountain demo truck was there and the driver hooked me up with some new tall RM socks!
2012 Race Results
2011 Mt. Ogden Race Report
2010 Mt. Ogden Race Report
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| Finish line dusty face-but all smiles! (Faceshots photography) |
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| Erika P., Erica T., Kelsy, Kelly, Haley |
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| Race swag! |
