Xterra Nationals; Ogden, Utah; 2009
I knew there would be lots of hills. I knew there would be lots of climbing. So why then, is it that I wasn’t prepared for all the hills and climbing? The 2009 course for Xterra Nationals at Snowbasin Ski Resort in Ogden, Utah had me wondering “Why am I doing this?” I didn’t come in unaware, as mentioned I had heard and read plenty about the course. But once I was out there pedaling away, mile upon mile, I knew my personal goal for time was going to be tough to meet. There is something about hearing “on your left….on your left……on your left…..” (as riders prepare to pass) literally a hundred times, that can really mess with one’s race mojo! (“*Bleeeeep*in’ pass already!” was my silent reply.)
Altitude is a funny thing. This race was at altitude, climbing to a max of over 7500’ on the bike alone. But I was never gasping for air. I never felt that lung burning “freeze” I’ve experienced in other altitude events. Instead, my legs just felt useless. At Xterra University the day before the race, where pro athletes talk about the course and give advice to us mere mortals, uh-err I mean amatuers, I made note of the confirmatory head-nods around me in response to Melanie’s casual remark that the course is “totally ridable, mostly middle chain ring stuff”. Middle chain ring? Ha! I made good use of my small chain ring for sure. There were a few downhill sections, brief as they were, with some loose rock, switchbacks, and larger stone. I felt great on those, easily manuevering through tight turns on my super tricked-out and WAY sweet Specialized Era, even catching back up with some of the “on your left-ers”, but my gains were short lived as the path quickly went back uphill and there I was again, spinning away.
Eventually the bike ended up back at transition, only to continue it’s uphill course for a few more miles, traversing ski hills before giving way to the run. I even got to see the top two pro men racing in to the finish as I biked past (Nico Lebrun narrowly outran Conrad Stoltz for the win). But if riding up the mountains had been hard, then the run up ski hills was excruciating! My legs were unable to function efficiently up many of the hills so I was forced to walk a good portion of the run. Believe me, this is NOT something any Xterra competitor does if they don’t have to! Again, I was fine on the downhills, but unfortunately there weren’t enough of those for my liking!
During the final downhill portion of the run leading into the finish I passed a young woman who had been running near me most of the run. She would pass me on the ups, I would pass her on the downs, and we traded back and forth that way for probably 4 miles at least. “Where you from?” she had asked. “Michigan, you?” I replied. “Louisianna” was her response. Ah, a fellow flatlander! We bonded in our pain. As we finished the race within seconds of each other I looked back and her boyfriend had swept in to greet her. My own husband was waiting for me. He told me “Oh that guy just proposed, and she said yes!” The young couple embraced each other dirt, sweat and all. Now that’s true love!
Every race is a memorable experience, and Xterra Nationals 2009 was no exception. While some memories may be about pain and discomfort, most are of challenges that were met, accomplishments that were earned and about a day of adventure that leaves one asking, not “Why am I doing this?”, but instead “When can I do it again?” J