July 2011 Blog Posts (4)

My last “A” race for 2011 was the National XC Championship, in Sun Valley, Idaho. 28 racers had qualified and signed up for the Cat 1, 50-54 age group, all with hopes of finishing up front. Among the many challenges, my ability to adapt to altitude (5,800 ft- 7,000 ft) was the biggest question mark. I have only one other race at elevation on the schedule, and I arrive typically within 24 hours of race start. According to the research, from sea level, you should expect a 10% drop in aerobic…

I had a plan.

The game would play out in manageable chunks. Twelve hours of racing is too much to think about at once. I had studied the course map, calculated my needed carlorie intake, laid out my primary fuels, pre-filled the water bottles and set up my solo pit station.

The course ran through the redwoods across sweet flowing single track descents and up mellow fire road climbs. I figured a moderate 9 mile/hour pace around the 7.4 mile course would allow me to knock off 14…

After missing last years Downieville Classic, I was excited to get back on the awesome trails Downieville offers.  The extra snowy winter we had caused rumors of snow tunnels and 20 minute hike a bike sections through two feet of snow.  but that was not to be, the course was simply shortened. the sunrise trail and the baby head section were cut out. The climb was the same and the decent used the upper part of the down hill course.

       I have yet to learn my lesson at the start line…