2013 Race season numbah one

This winter was tough...I mean TOUGH! Utah had record low average temps and repeated snowstorms meant we all were suffering some pretty nasty cabin fever. To top it off, it had been a wonderful season for new bugs to inflict and torment man. I had been sick, off an on, for almost two months. I was so sick of being sick. But the schedule wouldn't wait for me to get well, so off I went to Saint George.
I had made some pretty lofty goals coming into the season but the way I was feeling, this was going to be a survival race. Meaning just finish the best I can.
I was proud to see two of my high school racers take part in this race. They both had good results and a fine start to their season. I didn't get any kind of report from them other than they were both kind disappointed by their result. But I know better. They did GREAT!
I lined up surrounded mostly by new faces. Racing against familiar foes makes strategy easier. But this race it wouldn't matter.
At the "GO!" I tried to get some power from my legs...but nothing. I could pedal of course, but the power to actually race, I failed. I was able to hang on the back of the main group, but as the first lap progressed, I watched them pull farther and farther away from me. I just couldn't muster anything resembling an attack or even a faster pace.
My only two solid positive take-away's were that I descended really fast and in good control; and I was able to clean everything even though I was totally blasted on lap two. Now I just have to build my power and energy for race two in one month. Better luck next time right?

View of the Key Hole Wash a famous part of the course

More deep wash racing

Plenty of super sweet fast singletrack

 Some big rock steps to get up at race pace...fhew!

THE big double step. Hardest move on the whole course! Cleaned this baby both times...

Lots of guys were making excuses before line up time...including me

I am coming up the first steep little hill behind Mike. Mike is on my team and in my same category. We battled back and forth to the extent we wounded warriors could on lap one. Mike fell behind as cramps began to hit him.

More scenes of me trying my best...which wasn't really that good

 

 

 

 

 

Race week!

Thank you world! Finally it's race week. You know what that means; excitement, clock watching and eating better. Man, I love race week. The steed is pretty much all set up. New wheel set is on and works great. New bottle cage attached. New grips ready to be squeezed. This will be my first full season in Cat 2. Last year I was able to take third with some late season high finishes. This year, the goal is to do better. 2nd or 1st is in my sights. To get it, I need to get some good finishes early. Race one in Saint George, I am just aiming for a top 10. This event brings out a bunch of guys who then never show up again. I just need some season points to start. Will update you on the results when I can this weekend! Wish me luck.

Joanna-isms

The thing I love the most about 3 1/2 year olds? The things that come out of their mouths. Joanna is a big goofball, and she keeps us cracking up all day long. Here's a recent conversation I overheard while she was playing "dinosaur zoo" with her Dad.

Joanna: Daddy, there's a stegatriangle over there! Let's go say hi. (I should interupt and say that she recently watched a Dinosaur themed episode of Little Einsteins wherein all the dino's had instrument names. Thus stegasaurus was stegatriangle, Pteridactyl was Piccolodactyl, and T-rex was Base-a-saurus-rex.)

Christian:  But he might eat me! I'm scared! 

Joanna: No Daddy, he won't eat you, he has dinosaur food. 

 

Merry Christmas from the Burrell's!

First of all, yes I realize I have been a TERRIBLE blogger for the past while. I'll try to make up for that.

Here's what we have all been up to.

After his exciting mountain bike racing season last spring/summer Christian returned to his job teaching 8th grade science. It's always a challenging job, but he continues to do his best to be the amazing teacher we all know he is. He also spent the fall coaching high school mountain biking. Currently he is lamenting that the snow has made the trails too wet to ride, but hopefully he will be able to take a few trips down to southern Utah for some mountain biking in January and February.

I graduated from Nursing school in April (YAY!) and passed nursing boards on my first try in July (double yay!) and started my first nursing job in September working for a skilled nursing and rehab facility (yay for a second income!). On my days off I have enjoyed being able to spend time with the girls, catch up on a few good books, and relax! Blogging has taken a back seat to all of these things, but now that I'm rested up for 2 years of hard work becoming a nurse and I have settled in to a new schedule I can hopefully be a little better at keeping you all caught up on the happenings in our lives.

Joanna, age 3, has become so much fun. She mastered potty training this fall (finally!). The thing that finally helped motivate her toward success? A Tiana (from Princess and the Frog) doll. Her favorite things are princesses (Disney Princesses and any other princess for that matter), Pony's, dress up, singing and playing games. She loves going to nursery at church (the class for 18 month to 3 year olds at our church) but she will graduate into the Primary this January (which means she will have a sunday school class for an hour and a singing time hour as well). She is full of joy, laughter and more energy than you would think possible. She started dance class in September and got to perform in her first recital, The Nutcracker Ballet, in December. She impressed us all this Christmas morning by waiting patiently for presents until 1pm when Mommy could be home from work, and thanked everyone repeatedly for all her gifts.It's so fun to see the sweet little girl she is growing in to.

Molly is sweet, loveable and laughs so much that we've nicknamed her "chuckles". She finally cut a tooth at nearly 17 months old (a week before) and at 19 months has 9 teeth in her cute little mouth. She's starting to talk more and more and her vocabulary has increased from "Mama, Daddy" to include "ball, show, nana (Joanna), grandpa, dog, duck, hot cocoa, mine, cat, and no" to name a few. She loves baby dolls, copying whatever her sister does, and anything that makes noise. She is a little snuggle bug, but also a bundle of energy.

So that's the Burrell's. Pictures are always posted on facebook so keep up with us there as well. Merry Christmas from us all and may your new year be wonderful!

The Qwest for 3rd

Yeah...you heard that right. Sometimes being first isn't realistic. I had started the season out with the goal to just make the top 10 in the Sport Men's Category. But after surviving the heat at Sherwood Hills (6th place again) and finding out I was actually ranked 5th (!!!) I started to wonder what was possible. I knew that first and second were was too far away. The top two guys were pushing each other so hard that they were head and shoulders above the rest of us. But third was mathematically possible (but just barely)...but I would need a lot to happen just right for me.

There were three races left and I would need top 4 finishes in all three to have a shot.

Race 1, Snowbird:
This race had a really bad rap coming into it. Lots of rider bad mouthed the course and especially the climb up a long horrible road. But word had it that a lot of new singletrack had been completed in time for us. The result was a classic race loop. Almost zero road riding and most of the single track was just wide enough for passing. The climbs weren't crazy and the DH was fun. In one race, the course went from the most hated, to one of the best of the series.
I felt good off the line and kept up with the lead group. It had rained the previous evening (thank goodness) and the course was almost perfectly tacky (even if a little wet still in the shade). My only problem was that a team mate, who I have beat every single time this season, felt even better. Adam had blazing speed off the start and beat me to the opening singletrack. I was solidly in 5th at this point, but I knew I had to find a way to catch Adam. I worked hard to keep pace through the start of lap 2 of 3. I wasn't expecting it, but Adam dropped his chain and I was able to pass. I didn't think he would have enough to catch me again and my lead on the 6th place rider was large enough that I felt safe. But half way up the climb on lap three, I caught a glimpse of Adam huffing after me one switchback below!!! I stood up and used my reserves of energy to try and hold him off. Coming into the DH I knew I had to work hard. I was riding an Epic but Adam was on A Stumpjumper FS. All around, my bike was probably superior, but on the DH his ride had a clear advantage. I held off the breaks a little more than usual. But he caught me anyway. I was pretty bummed that my chance had faded in just once race. But fortune turned yet again! Adam crashed yet again and actually broke his chain!!! With just a mile or so left to the finish, I knew I was safe. A 4th place finish was great as it was my top finish of the season, but also because it kept me in the hunt!

Race 2, Solitude:
This was either a love it or hate it race. It had a LONG bombing, techy DH, but also a LONG continuous climb to get up there. Old school course for sure. I felt like my climbing ability might be an advantage for me, but after I was caught so easily by my team mate last race I was having a few doubts. We all stayed tightly bunched on the shake out. But as we hit the climb, we started to spread out. But this time I was in solid third place as we continued the climb. I could see the 4th place rider trying hard to bring me back (what's up with my own team trying so hard to ruin it for me? Actually, it's all good. That's what they are supposed to do) each time I looked back down the slope. But I kept up my cadence and cranked through the top of the climb holding my place. But I had to get back there two more times. The DH was exciting for sure, with plenty of techy stuff to keep you focused.
Despite the heat of the day, plenty of clouds rolled in and a great breeze kept everything quite pleasant. Due to this, I had only taken in about 1/2 of my fluids in bottle number 2. As I came back through the feed zone, I decided to ignore bottle 3 in favor of a little less weight for the 3rd time up the climb. I was taking an obvious gamble here, but felt confident. Luckily it all worked out and I finished bottle 2 just before bombing down the DH for the final time. I had done what I needed to do. Third place for the race also bumped me up to third place overall!!! I was in position. Now I just had to hold onto it....

Race 3, Snowbasin:
The final race of the season! This was it. Everything I had trained for all season came down to this. As wonderful as the race was anyways, it was sweet to really have something to race for today. I had tried to plan my workouts during the week prior to have the best legs possible on Saturday. I had done a pre-ride on Tuesday and had felt incredible. Granted, that was in the cooler hours of the evening, and race day was certain to be hot!
I chatted with Jason (was was in second and chasing the overall leader) who complimented my season efforts. I encouraged him to go hard and win the race.
The opening climb was pretty furious and I kept the leaders close. I was feeling good and assumed that I could stay with them. But when we crested the climb...BAM! They were simply gone. I couldn't believe how fast they had sped away. I realized though that I had to push hard since the others were coming on hard too. It looked like everyone was feeling good for the final race. Guys that I normally beat, were hanging with me. My technical skills had to be fully used on the rocky trail and the speed stayed pretty constant whether climbing or descending. The heat was just starting to be felt as the sun rose higher, but water was tough to drink on the rocky trail.
When I finally hit the DH I got a little too excited and had too much speed in the first turn. This found me getting a little intimate with a tree when I couldn't make the turn. Breakfast next time please...
I was able to power up the climb the second time pretty well. I am really glad that climbing is getting easier for me. But by the time I got to the top, the heat was in full force. As I left the trees and headed into the stretch with little to no shade, the heat began to sap me. I wasn't able to get much water to replace the sweat. So I couldn't help but slow down...and a little more...and then a bit more. Whoof!
Even without any hard climbs, the temps made everything feel so much tougher. I felt a huge sense of relief when I reached the final decent again. Avoided the tree! Sorry old friend.
I was able to get good speed, but didn't manage to pass anyone, but as I crossed the finish I realized I had taken 4th today! What did that mean? Well...I did just enough to accomplish my goal! I was third place overall for the season in Sport Men 35-39. WOW! No matter how you slice it this was one incredible year for me. I had literally trained my butt off. I had earned 2 firsts and a second in the beginning category. I had moved up mid season and placed in the top 7 in every race except one. I had earned personal points in every single race and team points in all but one. To top it all off, I had won third place overall!!! Do I still have weaknesses? Oh yeah...but I have another offseason to train now.But I know I can compete with this group. Next year I am going to try and be a favorite to win. Looks like I have a busy offseason coming up.

I Cup Update...

So I haven't done an update for my racing in a while. Sorry everyone, but I was getting worn out. I had been doing two races a week and riding hard in between while also taking care of my family and planning for two high school race teams. I needed a break from something and blogging took a hit.
Well, it's been a crazy and emotional couple of weeks. Our next race after the State Championships was at Sherwood Hills near Logan. This race gets a smaller turnout since it is a bit further away, but the fact that the race is mostly in a nice shady forest should be enough to get everyone in my opinion. Eh...whatever.
The race was split into three start times. I arrived quite a bit early so I decided to take in some cheering for teammates in the shade.

I even passed out a bottle to Adam as he came by. But before too long I needed to get ready for my own race. I was feeling pretty good so I decided to do a couple laps on the shake out loop. There were only a couple climbs on this course, but they all pretty minor compared to what we had already done at previous races this season. But I knew I had to get my muscles warm for the sprinters. These guys don't handle he big grunts well, but on a relatively flat course like the one we had today, they would be mashing hard! On lap two of my warm up the legs were feeling REALLY good so I opened it up a bit more than normal and cranked hard over a few minor hills. I was feeling VERY good today. I even started to entertain a possible podium visit. I knew most of the other races by now and while there were two that I knew I had no shot at, the others were reachable for sure.
At the gun, I blasted out a little harder than usual. But I had not felt this solid since 5-mile. The legs were there and mentally I felt great. I was right behind the leaders in a solid 4th position. The pace was hard but I was keeping up well.
At the end of the shake out loop, I was still on the wheel of the third place rider with 2nd in sight. I hung there during the fast climb and as we hit the fast flowy single track that followed, I called up to the guy ahead of me; "Let's get going!"

Then, as we were flying at full speed through a DH; and starting to reel in the 2nd place guy, we came around a blind turn. Turns out that the shoulder actually sloped down and away from us. And I happened to be on the lower side...BLAM!!! The wash out happened fast but slow enough for me to think, "Ah nuts..."
I had so much speed that I actually skidded along the trail for about 10 feet after making contact with the ground. I realized quickly that I was more or less physically ok so I hopped up and tried to get back on. But I saw that my handle bar had spun around backwards. I tried to force it back, but no go. I went for my multi-tool in the saddle bag, but the zipper tag came off in my hand! BAH! I saw the other rider in my group fly past one by one. I worked the zipper open as fast as I could and got the handle bar back the way it was supposed to be. Again, I tried to get on but the chain was off...sigh...at least it was a fast fix.
I quickly factored the options of going hard to catch up right away or trying to slowly reel the group in. I had no idea how big the gap was by now, so I just made the racer choice...GO HARD! The next mile was mostly flat, so I made good time. We came into an open meadow and I could see some of my group working up a climb on the far side. This spurred me on to really work hard here. But something had changed. The heat of the day was in full force now. Sweat flowed quickly down my face into my eyes and mouth. I ignored it and pushed onward. I was able to catch an pass the riders I had seen. I re-entered the forest again and tried to recover a little on the next flat. But the heat and my extra effort to catch up had sapped me. I tried to spin hard but I soon realized that my effort had pretty much ended my catch up attempt. All I could do now was try to hold my position. I had two and a half more laps to go.

The trees offered very little relief from the heat now pounding me. No more mashing for me today. Just pedal consistently to the finish. Lap 2 was pretty much what I expected it would be. A hot suffer-fest. But there was one big difference...

As I came back out into the big meadow there was a group of riders at the bottom of a slight down hill. One rider was waving at us to slow down and proceed around the side. I could hear them yelling at a rider laying on the group to "STAY WITH US!!!" Whoa! Scary! I had no idea what had happened, but they indicated that they didn't need any assistance from me and to continue.
Lap 3 was more of the same heat and suffering, but the thought of what might had happened to the rider on the ground didn't leave my mind. It seemed like everyone had slowed down a little bit. Just before I reached the big meadow again, I could hear a chopper approaching. Oh no!
I approached the group again and this time I was stopped and told to head across the meadow and back to the finish line. This cut off a good chunk of the lap but, it was hard to care anymore.

I came across the finish line and there was a big group of racers mulling around with somber looks on their faces all talking about the accident. Turns out that a pretty well know racer named Patrick had come down into the meadow at a very high speed and had done an endo when his tire hit a hidden rock. He hit the ground face first after flying through the air a long way (30 feet as described by my team mate who was right behind him). Luckily, our team captain (who came upon the scene a minute or so after the accident) is an ER doctor. Patrick remained conscience long enough to mention something about all his teeth being knocked out. But then he also stopped breathing. They performed CPR for about ten minutes before be began to breath again on his own (though in a very labored way). The life-flight took him to a nearby trauma hospital that discovered he had broken his C-2 and C-3 vertebrae. And his spinal cord had a lot of swelling. The doctors performed surgery to stabilize his neck, but couldn't make any promise of a recovery let alone even his waking up. By the end of the next week, it was determined that he wasn't coming back. He was taken off life support and passed away that Friday. I don't know what to say about what happened other than it reminded all of us that our passion is dangerous. And even though we push the limits of our abilities in each race, sometimes we still need to slow down a little and be careful. Everyone have fun, but be safe out there.

Mid-Week Race Series 1

So I have been pretty focused on just the I Cup race series. I really like the team aspect and the ribbons for each race is fun to peruse. But there are several races series that take place on different weekends and even during the same week as the I Cup races. They tend to be cheaper and more of them, but there is no team activity. So I haven't tried any of them yet.
But I was able to get a season pass recently for the Tuesday Race series so I decided to try it. There were a couple of UMB teammates that would be there, so maybe I would be able to chat it up with them.

Some differences:
1) I Cup has different age groups for the Cat's which allow for more awards/winners. But the Tuesday races just do one big mass group start for each Cat. So I would be lining up with kids and older bikers at the same time.
2) No team BBQ's so I was going to go hungry afterwards. I need to plan some kind of food afterwards.
3) The Tuesday series doesn't post results for a couple days, so you don't get that immediate satisfaction. I guess they really mean it when they say: "It's just for fun."
4) The Tuesday races series does a raffle. So there was a good chance of getting some sweet swag for showing up.
5) No team photographer. So there won't be a bunch of photos for you all to enjoy. Sorry...
6) I would be able to line up with other friends in Cat 2 and just race all together. Something else to enjoy!

So not having any clue how fast we would be compared to the other racers, Rick and I set up right in the middle of around 30 racers (maybe...?) for the Cat 2 start. At the go, it was clear we had miscalculated. We were stuck behind a bunch of slower riders who had for some reason pushed to the front before the race started. And some riders were even trying to push into the group from the side causing even more congestion. To make things worse, a kid got knocked down causing a pile-up. When we finally got moving, we got stuck again behind some guys who were just sitting back and spinning. Dude! It's a race! Let's go!
I finally started forcing my way past a bunch of guys who seemed totally clueless. I even had to lean a shoulder into one. I was passing plenty of riders on the long shakeout road. I encountered Rick about a half mile in. I considered riding with him for a while, but I was feeling really good and the single track climb was coming up and I wanted to get as strong of a position as I could so I mashed a little bit to pull up as far as I could.
I found myself at the back of a group winding our way up the climb. I settled in and was able to recover my breath a little. But once again, the guy up front was just chillin with a slow pace. I wanted to move up and pass, but there wasn't a good spot and the line was too tight to work up one rider at a time. We finally forced our way past the rider up front and sprinted to the top. At the top I worked my way to the second position in a new line up for the first DH. Some tight switchbacks slowed me down again, but I kept the lead guy's tire pretty close. In the flats that followed I stood up and sprinted hard and got ahead of the lead guy before the next DH. This one was another switchback filled journey, but they had small well packed berms so I was able to rail them at high speed which allowed me to drop the chaser. I saw a group ahead of me and I started to try and reel them in. There was so much work to do that I didn't really try to recover. The next climb was pretty mellow and I was able to keep standing up and mashing, making up a little more of the gap each time. Every once in a while a rider would drop out of the group and I would be able to eat them up too. We came back to another flat and I was starting to feel pretty tired now. I passed a young rider who surrendered his position without me even asking for it. I admit, I had wanted to just ride his tire a while to recover, but if he was just going to let me pass...so be it. But he continued to press my tire. Maybe he had wanted me to pace all along. This just pushed me again to red-line my heart-rate. We came to another longish climb and I was right on the tires of the previous group. I kept trying to find a passing spot, but never did. Towards the end I was right on the back tire of the rider ahead of me. When we dumped out onto the road again, it was a full on stand up and grunt sprint to the finish. I passed one of the guys and tried to get another, and we crossed almost even. I am not sure who the gave the lead to at the line.
Rick came across after a couple minutes. We were both huffing and puffing. The race had been a full out red-line sprint. I was cool to experience a race like that. It really felt like racing.
Next we head back to the big climbs of the ski resorts.