The XC race had the largest field I've ever raced in, 42 women! It was so neat to line up with such a large and strong field. The temperatures were a little more mild than last year, so I didn't need to start with ice on my neck. The group had the usual uneven flow around the track with people bumping wheels and handlebars but we managed to stay upright. Once we hit the dirt we got more strung out. However, the first crazy steep climb just a few minutes in had someone bobble so we ran up that one. I missed my feed and ended up grabbing a random water bottle off the side of the trail to get me up the last 8 miles out of there. I missed a couple of the course turns and washed out in a few of the loose corners. I can't say it was a great race for me due to a few mistakes like those mentioned, but I learned some great lessons and will be back again next year!
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| XC Start line; 42 women! |
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| Start Line |
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| 3 minutes into the race, just after we got off the race track |
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| Teal and me after the race |
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| GEAX friends after the race |
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| Team Jamis race bikes |
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| Home with bikes in front |