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Photo: PDX Cross |
That hurt. From the very start that hurt. My legs were burning before we even climbed the hill on lap 1.
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| Photo: Heidi Swift |
Limp. Gasping. Elated.
Elated to have been lapped by Ryan Trebon, elated that I only had to climb that hill 8 freak’in times.
8 times, yes, 8.
But it wasn’t the hill that hurt so much.
It was my inability to take the S turns at speed on the back side of the course, allowing Bridgett to close the gap, having to chase her up the hill.
Same old story. Same lesson learned.
Learn to ride the technical stuff, learn to descend.
I gave away time, speed, distance, only to have to try to make it up on the hill. I could only do that so many times. After lap 4, I just couldn’t close the gap on the hill. My climbing ability couldn’t match her speed on the sharp left hand turn at the bottom of the thin single track.
6 and 12, weight on the inside handlebar.
I am getting there, but I am not there yet.
I catch my breath and pull myself into a standing position. I see Brenna, she rode a great race. I am so proud of her. She is gutsy and strong and motivated. She is awesome.
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Photo: Dave Roth |
I reply no, but immediately wipe my teeth with my glove.
That was my nice way of telling you your teeth were covered in dirt.
Thanks Brenna, you are a true friend.
Matt and Damian both had good races. D got lots of fashion points and Matt placed high enough to get a call up next week.