tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41729912223416756232024-03-05T05:07:05.731-05:00Beata D WronskaBeata Wronska -
Mountain Biker and Off-Road Triathlete -
Zerouno Factory Racing.
4x National Champion, Bronze Medalist at the 2018 UCI Masters World Championships.Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-18248209731685562062019-04-03T15:43:00.004-04:002019-04-03T15:47:52.836-04:00Breck-Epic - Breckenridge, COBreck-Epic - Breckenridge, CO - August 5-10<br />
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Champion - Team Open Women - Won 4 of 6 Stages and won overall by 5 minutes across 24 hrs / 220 Miles / 42k climbing <br />
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Teammate: Jennifer Moos aka Mooser<br />
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Write-up coming soon...<br />
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<strong>THE EPIC</strong> is a 6-day mountain bike race held in and
around the backcountry surrounding Breckenridge, CO. Each stage begins
and ends in town, allowing racers to stay in one place for the entire
event.<a href="https://breckepic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Liam-Doran-9820.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-2697 noopener" target="_blank"><br />
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In general, the race is 220-240 miles long and ‘features’ roughly 40,000′ feet of vertical gain (and loss!)<br />
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2018 STAGE ORDER:<br /><br /> Aug 5: Stage 1 – Pennsylvania Creek (Ice Rink/Carter Park) – 35 miles, 6000′<br /><br /> Aug 6: Stage 2 – Colorado Trail (Lower Washington/B&B Lot) – 43 miles, 7200′<br /> <br /> Aug 7: Stage 3 – Guyot (Lower Washington/B&B Lot) – 41 miles, 8100′<br /> <br /> Aug 8: Stage 4 – Aqueduct (Lower Washington/B&B Lot) – 44 miles, 6300′<br /> <br /> Aug 9: Stage 5 – Wheeler (Beaver Run Parking Lot/Peaks TH) – 32 miles, 4900′<br /> <br /> Aug 10: Stage 6 – Gold Dust (Ice Rink/Ice Rink) 30 miles, 4800′<br /> <br />
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-10248113510981585952018-12-06T12:45:00.003-05:002018-12-20T13:09:59.754-05:00USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships - Snowshoe, WV<br />
USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships - Snowshoe, WV - July 17-22<br />
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1st Place - National Title!<br />
Top 5 Overall<br />
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Products used: <a href="http://www.zerounobikes.com/" target="_blank">2018 ZeroUno Ambizone HT</a> built and maintained
by <a href="https://www.ridersonlybikes.com/" target="_blank">Riders Only</a> in Jupiter Florida. <a href="https://www.spazialecompositi.com/" target="_blank">Spaziale Diamante Handlebars, Seatpost, 25mmID Wheels and Ceramic Bearings everywhere</a>. <a href="http://serviziocorse.castelli-cycling.com/en/welcome/" target="_blank">Castelli Custom San Remo Speedsuit</a>. <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires" target="_blank">NewSchwalbe Racing Ralph and Racing Ray tires 29*2.25</a>. <a href="http://www.extralite.com/" target="_blank">Extralite 70mm Stem</a>. <a href="http://www.magurausa-shop.com/" target="_blank">Magura MT8 Raceline Brakes with Storm SL.2 160mm Rotors</a>. <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">SquirtLube Chain lube, Sealant and Barrier Balm</a>. <a href="https://www.ndtuned.com/" target="_blank">ND Tuned OVR Front Fork</a>. <a href="https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/eagle" target="_blank">SRAM 12 Speed Eagle drivetrain</a>.
<a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Kapic 170mm Crank with 30t Q-Ring DM</a>.<a href="https://limar.com/en/" target="_blank"> Limar Helmet</a>. <a href="https://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley Prizm Radar sunglasses</a>. <a href="https://www.sellesmp.com/en" target="_blank">SelleSMP Carbon Saddle</a>. <a href="https://xpedo.com/" target="_blank">XpedoM-Force 8 Ti SPD Pedals</a>. <a href="https://esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Fit CR grips</a>. <a href="https://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif Gels and Electrolyte drinks</a>.
<a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/" target="_blank">Garden of Life supplements</a>. <a href="https://removu.com/" target="_blank">Removu S1 Gimbal</a> and a <a href="https://gopro.com/" target="_blank">Gopro 6</a> to record the race course.
<a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">TrainerRoad</a> to train with on my<a href="https://www.cycleops.com/" target="_blank"> Cycleops Hammer trainer</a>.<br />
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We woke up early morning in Vallnord Andorra, just the next morning after the biggest race in my entire life. Hotel had to set us up with a small temp breakfast before regular breakfast hours. It was really awesome of them to do this. Last few looks around on the cold rushing river and we were off. It was going to be a very long day…<br />
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First was a drive to Spain where we were flying out from Barcelona and were having a connection in Morocco. Normally we will go direct but that was the best flight to get us on the National Championships site as quickly as possible and as close as possible to it. The “short” connecting flight was a little bit of a nightmare. When we were reaching higher altitude, we got into extreme turbulence's, probably the worst I ever experienced. The plane was being thrown left and right and up and down with great force for an endless what felt like about of time. It didn’t look good and I had no idea if we can get through it. We were literally jumping and getting air off the chairs and feeling lightness and being smashed back and to each side. All the children on the plane started screaming their lungs out and parents were just grinding the teeth as I was. I was also about to rip my husband’s shorts off I was pulling so hard on the fabric. It lasted for way too long but it stopped, it eventually stopped. We still had a long journey and had to fly over Gibraltar. Since then I could not relax even for the smallest moment and pretty much was counting every single second during the flight. We were approaching Casablanca now and the sky was just brown. It looked as a dust storm with no clouds, just dusty brown air all the way up where the clouds should be and all the way to the ground. I didn’t know if that would mean it would be a really rough landing but thankfully it was alright. Then we had the next flight on a Dreamliner all the way to DC. Most of it went smooth until the last couple hours. It still didn’t mean I was able to relax because I wasn’t. When we got to DC it was late evening and we still had a 4-hour drive to SnowShoe. It was another bag of problems considering how tired we were now. The dark, narrow, twisty mountain roads, sky full of billions of stars and our shutting down and over exhausted brains. It was really rough and we had to stop a few times just to pull ourselves together. Then we collapsed finally arriving sometime mid night at the race site. <br />
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This is exactly why I was not sure how good of the idea it was to even come here straight from Andorra instead of simply not racing at Nationals. 26 hours straight with no sleep, big time change and all this stress and travel. Not even to mention I just raced two days back in Europe the most important race in my life so far. But we went for it not knowing how my body will handle it and now we are here. <br />
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The next morning, I did my pre-ride and saw everyone out there. Track was very similar to what we had last year, minus the crazy rain at the moment, but it did rain the day before so whoever pre-rode yesterday was playing in mud. For me only those very shaded and my least favorite rooty sections were still wet, everything else was good to go.<br />
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I was different this time around, not the track but me. I actually didn’t hate it as much, I felt strong and confident on my least favorite section and made sure I can clear all those piles of slimy roots. The rock section toward the end didn’t bother me at all actually and I kind of enjoyed it. Everything in between was pretty fast, one super fun downhill section with berms that we all enjoyed so much last year and of course the climbs. For some reasons it felt like there were more of those this time around but really after what I saw and raced overseas those were really quite insignificant to me, almost like rolling hills than actual climbs, they didn’t bother me at all. Toward the end of my practice ride I started feeling them however in my still tired legs and body and though that maybe it was too much of the good thing and I should have not even ridden that much. But it was all done now and I was very confident with the course and ready to roll.<br />
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The race morning did come really soon, thankfully this time our balcony was overlooking a section of the course so I could just ride out from our room… That was neat and saved some nice time. I warmed up on and off the course with Ali who will be doing her first national event. We got really lucky this year, the weather did hold and it was beautiful and sunny the whole previous day and no rain predictions for today, so the course should be just perfect.<br />
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We got staged some 10-15 minutes before race start and lined up ready to go.<br />
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Some people in my class got race nerves and showed up really on the last minute. Glad you made it to the start line Kelly! 😊<br />
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I felt pretty good considering all the crazy hassle to get here this week and I was really looking forward to just make it happen. <br />
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Even though it was the only National Title that was still missing from my collection and it seemed to be for me the most difficult of all to obtain I was not stressed at all. <br />
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I was focused, composed, determined and just simply ready. I even smiled hard with having my husband on the side before the start cheering me on and goofing it out a little and doing little kangaroo hops with his big camera pack that was bouncing with him up and down… Loved it! But it was a go time, now or never!<br />
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And we were off. Right from the start we were going to the uphill on the dirt and some grass which become steeper toward the top and would determine who will go first to the next fast part of the course. We were all very even along the way and on the last few feet or so I felt I had to push even harder to make a move. It worked out and I fought my way through the front and next big downhills with berms and fast gravel path that lead us to really awesome, flowy and fast section with few spots where you could get some air if you really wanted to. Then there was a gradual uphill, steep tiny climb that checked everyone’s legs and bike down to the most dreaded rooty section. It had to be at least 0.5-mile-long, but I never bothered to check, it simply felt long and way longer than that. I was doing really good here and knew that this is where I lost my race last time. I was not going to let it happen again and was aware I have to stay in front and if I do, I should be good for the remainder of the lap. I did hear definitely a set of wheels behind me but I didn’t know who it was. I just kept on being as efficient, smooth and error free as possible. I started passing riders in front from other classes, that was good. Some people would fumble in front and actually mess up my lines, or they would simply slide off the root and fall, put the foot down and all the good that is associated with this crazy section. This did affect my riding slightly but not that much. I cleared it all, did come out of those mean roots on the bottom of the dirty and still muddy double truck in the lead. I put down the hammer, there was no stopping me now. I felt strong, surprisingly really strong and was not planning to slow down any time soon.<br />
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I managed the climbs so well, the fun section was just a blast and it made me forget I was actually racing, the rocks were just an awesome challenge as well as little timed down flat man-made rock garden. It was all good. I did cross the first lap with a nice lead and jumped strong into the second. It all went pretty well again, more passes, more people that I knew from classes before. Throughout whole lap I rode with confidence and set pace that was powerful but not overwhelming, I was not going to trash myself here, I was just set on a very manageable effort that possibly could be bumped up if it was really needed. I just wanted to be steady. It was all working out really well. It was good to see myself going by so many riders in the XC race, usually in the past it would not be the case.<br />
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Being called queen of endurance had a reason, and also me trying to win the XC title for some time now and always being so close but never close enough had a reason too. I am more than happy to bring it all to this change, to the moment where I don’t have to look at the weaknesses and feel like I can’t do good in something because my body just doesn’t choose this distance as a preferred one. I decided to fight it off and make it also one of my strengths. It was definitely working and I for sure proved it just two days earlier in the massive and stacked to the roof race.<br />
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So here we go, we are on the second lap and it is a swap bottle time. Too bad my Pax decided to position himself nicely to snap a cool picture on the little rock garden which was unfortunately located few hundred meters down from the official feed zone. The sun was out and I really was getting thirsty and was looking forward the bottle and it didn’t happen. Now I went to final lap three with no drink and knew that the feed zone is sadly toward the end part of the lap. It did for sure occupy my mind for a long while, since I felt that I already had enough obstacles put in place for this race that really, I didn’t need another one. Being dehydrated, overheated on top of just plain exhausted and sleep deprived was just too much. But I had no choice but just stay calm, keep on working and look at the big picture.<br />
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<br />
After all it was a last lap and I had a good lead. I saw a lot of people struggling on the climbs, they were for sure getting to everyone now. Everyone was trying to just manage the energy the best way they could. What was funny when I was going through the rock sections there was a lady in pink in front and I don’t know why I kept thinking she somehow could be in my class. I was determined now to speed up and catch and pass her as soon as I could. By the time I got to her I smiled to myself realizing she was just completely different person from some different class who started at a completely different time than me long ahead of me. Either way my class or not I had to pass and from there coast to the finish line. On the way making two more spots overall in the process before crossing the finish line.<br />
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<br />
<br />
And finally, it happened! The history had been made once again and now the way I wanted it, the way I imagined it quite a few years back when we said to each other with my husband Pax. “How cool it would be to have three National titles in three different disciplines”.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, it was that phrase that started this all, this little quest for something that only made sense, mattered to both of us and really no one else. And because we felt it was going to be cool when it happens.<br />
<br />
<br />
And it did!<br />
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<br />
We attended the award ceremony at night and watched some other races. We admired the mountains, the views, the fresh air, the wildflowers around. Each time I looked I wish I could ride mountains more often.<br />
<br />
<br />
We left home the next morning but it happened to be very overcast and rainy day. It makes for cool, gloomy and reflective right but sadly once again not for the best flight home.<br />
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<br />
For those who get bored with my plane travel complaints might end here but for those who enjoy my misery please continue!<br />
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<br />
We took off in DC and it started well, but it was not long into the flight when captain said “flight attendants take your jumpsuits” or at least it was what I heard. I saw flight attendant rushing by me to the back and was thinking that pilot has a great sense of humor and imagined it as some James Bond or Mission Impossible scene when everyone, by everyone I mean the whole crew will jump out on us and leave us here. Later on, we were informed that we were going through bad storm cells. Few minutes later captain announced “flight attendants take your jump seats”, since he said it some eight more times during the flight. It was clear now that crew was here to stay! Yey. But the flight was still too stomach turning. We were supposed to land in some 15 minutes and I didn’t notice us descending at all. I knew we supposed to be on the east coast over the Atlantic and when we pulled up flight data on our GPS we realized we were in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico! Holly cow, apparently, we were zigzagging and flying for an additional 45 minutes in order to avoid all the storm below. When we finally landed and started driving home it was an end of the world downpour that we had to drive through. We were told we were last plain allowed to land in Ft. Lauderdale and my neighbor told me that at our house there was a hurricane like storm and winds and she had no clue how we were flying in this and getting home…<br />
<br />
But we got home, safe and sound…<br />
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<br />
The trip all over the world and back was eventful, exhilarating, exhausting, soul defining and something that will stay in our history books forever.<br />
<br />
All of it is not an easy process and takes a lot to make it happen, but we could not have it any other way around. I am so happy that Team Mucha had another fantastic adventure under the belt!<br />
<br />
Now it’s official, 4x National Champion!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmvMOn2bHZXTKsIfThIttpbjI5d-0bmd4iUBy2PewHzi4wopF2nv8RomH-kVPgBjJtWi2NvW7c4NMyFeWabjHgEHpbbT9s5kDfJWbS-DPha5e-r5tTcQAtsvUL4t6ca5X9eB6lmw9MQc/s1600/BDW_3944+%2528Large%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmvMOn2bHZXTKsIfThIttpbjI5d-0bmd4iUBy2PewHzi4wopF2nv8RomH-kVPgBjJtWi2NvW7c4NMyFeWabjHgEHpbbT9s5kDfJWbS-DPha5e-r5tTcQAtsvUL4t6ca5X9eB6lmw9MQc/s640/BDW_3944+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thank you to all of you who followed my crazy journeys and cheer me on!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />
Thank you goes to:<br />
<br />
ZeroUno Bikes, Spaziale Compositi, Riders Only Bikes, Castelli, Magura, Removu, NDTuned, Limar Helmets, Schwalbe, Rotor Bike Components, Squirt Lube, SelleSMP, Trainer Road, ESI Grips, Clif, Xpedo, Garden of Life, Kuat Racks, Oakley, KMC Chains <br />
<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-18346546428869756342018-07-30T18:11:00.002-04:002018-10-18T20:36:30.196-04:002018 MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - Vallnord, Andorra <br />
<br />
2018 MOUNTAIN BIKE MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP<br />
<br />
- Vallnord, Andorra<br />
<br />
Bronze, it's a Bronze! :-)<br />
<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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Products used: <a href="http://www.zerounobikes.com/" target="_blank">2018 ZeroUno Ambizone HT</a> built and maintained
by <a href="https://www.ridersonlybikes.com/" target="_blank">Riders Only</a> in Jupiter Florida. <a href="https://www.spazialecompositi.com/" target="_blank">Spaziale Diamante Handlebars, Seatpost, 25mmID Wheels and Ceramic Bearings everywhere</a>. <a href="http://serviziocorse.castelli-cycling.com/en/welcome/" target="_blank">Castelli Custom San Remo Speedsuit</a>. <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires" target="_blank">NewSchwalbe Racing Ralph and Racing Ray tires 29*2.25</a>. <a href="http://www.extralite.com/" target="_blank">Extralite 70mm Stem</a>. <a href="http://www.magurausa-shop.com/" target="_blank">Magura MT8 Raceline Brakes with Storm SL.2 160mm Rotors</a>. <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">SquirtLube Chain lube, Sealant and Barrier Balm</a>. <a href="https://www.ndtuned.com/" target="_blank">ND Tuned OVR Front Fork</a>. <a href="https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/eagle" target="_blank">SRAM 12 Speed Eagle drivetrain</a>.
<a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Kapic 170mm Crank with 30t Q-Ring DM</a>.<a href="https://limar.com/en/" target="_blank"> Limar Helmet</a>. <a href="https://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley Prizm Radar sunglasses</a>. <a href="https://www.sellesmp.com/en" target="_blank">SelleSMP Carbon Saddle</a>. <a href="https://xpedo.com/" target="_blank">XpedoM-Force 8 Ti SPD Pedals</a>. <a href="https://esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Fit CR grips</a>. <a href="https://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif Gels and Electrolyte drinks</a>.
<a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/" target="_blank">Garden of Life supplements</a>. <a href="https://removu.com/" target="_blank">Removu S1 Gimbal</a> and a <a href="https://gopro.com/" target="_blank">Gopro 6</a> to record the race course.
<a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">TrainerRoad</a> to train with on my<a href="https://www.cycleops.com/" target="_blank"> Cycleops Hammer trainer</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8gyAduNCyWx6cxFSkR_3-ol6LK0TmehUn7G2q1VyDB-lt22hC7NoSrdpxphi2mV7OwjK4mobzk-FFevJwoKRY9cEXek6R9YH4T4XRIPoEHSyTzpduOAGAR3DsQJziK6-b1wDXBas59U/s1600/20180712_202554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8gyAduNCyWx6cxFSkR_3-ol6LK0TmehUn7G2q1VyDB-lt22hC7NoSrdpxphi2mV7OwjK4mobzk-FFevJwoKRY9cEXek6R9YH4T4XRIPoEHSyTzpduOAGAR3DsQJziK6-b1wDXBas59U/s640/20180712_202554.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Race start and finish in beautiful Vallnord, Andorra</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYKPKm_EW4bQVN9f11qUW8ihaI_QMzdJRKrzPtghP2xvOKeGsG8eew9uL0FNpT3TtdM6HQ6JlK5PzcfKIPpb9FOIh9OmJmdeF3CyFtWVaDXEYqwhVD6h3xBPMwHzXYbgtJvOSJDzevRI/s1600/20180715_145305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYKPKm_EW4bQVN9f11qUW8ihaI_QMzdJRKrzPtghP2xvOKeGsG8eew9uL0FNpT3TtdM6HQ6JlK5PzcfKIPpb9FOIh9OmJmdeF3CyFtWVaDXEYqwhVD6h3xBPMwHzXYbgtJvOSJDzevRI/s640/20180715_145305.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jolanda Neff</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJOGKFO1LBpV2An2aORirl8MLiQCvjnR00Wv4O46Z5OPiyzDe-WTHZrya2CYMKkux7lTUe4x5mMKS5l4E-KAFOzyzFpQXS6gk5t_92yGxMF-0FBEhjNQCqixFzM7N1Yp5jOztj2HjV6Q/s1600/20180712_122856%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJOGKFO1LBpV2An2aORirl8MLiQCvjnR00Wv4O46Z5OPiyzDe-WTHZrya2CYMKkux7lTUe4x5mMKS5l4E-KAFOzyzFpQXS6gk5t_92yGxMF-0FBEhjNQCqixFzM7N1Yp5jOztj2HjV6Q/s640/20180712_122856%25280%2529.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nino Schurter</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3V4T4j06qZ_ZeWxWgD4sb17j3dwh93MxRNV2aXzIEgMikOJMajLgwPoRKUQxhoxwtwSjS-VhNRLazpuhqEzqrSP5xRCzcYys27LAvxolXPzeIW2lU4lnXYXieWBJU8B6konVUp9n48g/s1600/20180715_145602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3V4T4j06qZ_ZeWxWgD4sb17j3dwh93MxRNV2aXzIEgMikOJMajLgwPoRKUQxhoxwtwSjS-VhNRLazpuhqEzqrSP5xRCzcYys27LAvxolXPzeIW2lU4lnXYXieWBJU8B6konVUp9n48g/s640/20180715_145602.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Emily Batty</span></td></tr>
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What a race! What an amazing adventure once again!<br />
<br />
My whole season revolved around this one race. Long year, long journey, long distance to travel for such a short but powerful and meaningful event. <br />
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Cross Country mountain bike racing is hard. It always comes down to the smallest details, to the tiniest decisions made in the heat of the moment. Every second, literally every single one counts and you have to be as smart, composed and prepared as it gets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSwk3xdJ8Xj7iaPKPOO4g6VlsfEaXMMF7cDLMQc1bxESJHC0yQuraD4fO-YCUuQVGlgoRn0psUWbwpma434D3WCGSau4bBzk-UzWwquuvmFbfUSl4oDTz7z_vrf9auu0yQW6yl7wAFCs/s1600/20180712_202630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSwk3xdJ8Xj7iaPKPOO4g6VlsfEaXMMF7cDLMQc1bxESJHC0yQuraD4fO-YCUuQVGlgoRn0psUWbwpma434D3WCGSau4bBzk-UzWwquuvmFbfUSl4oDTz7z_vrf9auu0yQW6yl7wAFCs/s640/20180712_202630.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had my doubts within no doubts if I should be flying all the way to Europe to give myself one more opportunity to fight for a good finish on this wonderful course. Doubt had a few valid bases. One of them was that our XC National Championship event was moved from what supposed to be two weeks after Andorra to the same week as Andorra. It was planned out so badly that my race in Europe was taking place on Tuesday of the same week and my USA race on Friday. And considering the crazy time change and packing and repacking the bike and somehow getting there coherent and on time, it all was a big problem. How to even find connections that will bring me there on time without leaving here (Andorra) too early, just in case my race is postponed. Besides that, my finishing time last year was a solid 6th with me and Meaghan battling hard for the top 5 but also a deep understanding that top 4 was so far off our reach that it was not even encouraging in any way. You really have to be crazy or over optimistic to put yourself in the spot thinking you have any shot at the top 3, none the less the win. The no doubt part was simple, I wanted it. Like a little stubborn child, without any other better explanation or logical reason, this is simply what I wanted. Now I just need to figure out how to get it. And if you think you have a year to prepare and you have what seems like all the time in a world, you are so wrong. Time flies by so quick, especially if you want to be everywhere and do everything if you want to do all Florida State series than some South Florida series, then endurance series, some local trail building fund events and the list just keeps on going. It simply went by so quick that it felt weird and little terrifying.<br />
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I did my calculations, the most generous, optimistic, “I got this” way of thinking I could possibly assess. I took into account what I have learned from my previous race there. I was some 9 minutes back off the winner last time, Lorena Zocca from Italy, some 7 minutes back to all top 4 women. I was 11 minutes back from the former Olympic medalist Marga Fullana who wins this race overall every single year for 8 years in a row now. So, I thought of every little single section I did last time, I ran it all in my head how much time (seconds, it is all in seconds) I possibly could have improved by. The seconds started to add up. Whichever way I tried and it was not including any flaws or mistakes. That was this illusive the best-case scenario. I concluded I have a shot to be possibly 6 minutes faster. That is actually a lot and encouraging but that would still not put me in the medal position.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOpdOl_qsSaH4yOCKcFzlbY0fr4aKDFOYFxARUJ22c2S7qYiQzPyKX7wH68Ymy0Ua2Yao-2u1WJc-z0PN9QJhdl9lMjsqQpl2fMMNfrxqhWwHwHNNKolC73uzaSGhZKIfg6kgm5UcpaA/s1600/BDW_3497+%2528Large%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOpdOl_qsSaH4yOCKcFzlbY0fr4aKDFOYFxARUJ22c2S7qYiQzPyKX7wH68Ymy0Ua2Yao-2u1WJc-z0PN9QJhdl9lMjsqQpl2fMMNfrxqhWwHwHNNKolC73uzaSGhZKIfg6kgm5UcpaA/s640/BDW_3497+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On top of that list of racers that I was going to go against this year was not something to not look at with a really good perspective. The last year winner and current world champion is coming back, the top 15 Olympian finisher will be in my class and the top 3 finisher from Vale di Sole two years back. There was more of course but those were already crazy strong and undoubtedly capable contenders.<br />
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We gave it a go, and arriving in the beautiful Andorra and seeing those mountains once again was just so fantastic. We watched a lot of racing days prior to my race from XCO to Downhill and met lots of top racers in the world and had a blast. But it was time to focus on my own race.<br />
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My racing machine Zerouno Ambizione Jade was ready to go and set up in the best components that we felt were suitable for this type of terrain and the race. Just two weeks before I swapped my group set to SRAM Eagle XX1, I just put a new Kapic crank from Rotor, brand new Schwalbe tires that just came out. The lightest and most aggressive Selle SMP saddle that I own. Everything was top notch. We even upgraded my fork to a NDTuned custom fork (First in the World) and that’s why I traveled with an extra wheel to fit the boost fork in front. I had plenty amount of time to practice with the new fork and get used to this setup.<br />
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I loved riding here. The course was mostly the same as last year but the start and finish area was slightly moved and therefore somewhat modified. I really liked the change, it added a steep long climb right from the gate which was followed by awesome bermy slalom like descent with some small jumps in it. The end included some fast-single track with steep and sketchy climbs. I enjoyed it last time but I truly loved it this time around. The course is so tough, so technical, so steep, so breath taking and so wonderful at the same time. <br />
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Race Day:<br />
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I was ready, I did my little warm up and went to staging. I was called out to the start line. <br />
While I was standing in the first-row, a rider on the left of me looked down on my bar, which had a little scrabble I put on it the night before. She read it, smiled and said “but be smart”. I smiled back and told her that it was more something that simply makes me smile since it’s our internal joke from work rather that something to be taken literary. My bar said “Go fast and take chances”, I still smile when I think about it…Little that I know it was no one else but Kiara, former Canadian Olympian who will be winning this race overall. <br />
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Right before the start when we are just nearing a minute away there is this amazing and crazy beautiful and emotional, for me at least, music is playing, which suddenly stops and it sounds like a heartbeat right before we start. It is funny now but it is so incredible and powerful to simply just stand there and it is the hardest thing to keep your tears in check. The last thing you want to do is weep on the start line.<br />
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Pom, pom, pom, pom, pom and we are off! Straight to the turn and long gravel laden climb. I was in front with some of the fastest ladies out there on our beautiful planet. I was not going to let go off the gas and kept on fighting. I got to the first slalom descent in a decent position. Soon after the trail turned upwards and we were climbing again. This time around things hurt much more and no one is simply jetting away, it’s just impossible. Climbing here is real and altitude can be felt. Toward the top everyone’s legs start feeling like noodles but you have to keep going to the tiny descent that leads to the next, but very gradual climb, which just keeps getting steeper and steeper and has more funky roots. This is definitely the spot where you want to make sure you have legs to keep turning those pedals, skills and stubborn mind to keep on fighting and making sure you don’t make mistake.<br />
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Then comes a rock garden. After we clear that there was the only a stretch that seems quite leveled. Here I noticed I was not that far away from Lorena Zocca, last year’s World Championship winner from my group. I wondered if I will be able to keep my eyes on her and hopefully stay close on the next, very long and very technical descent called Rampage. To my surprise Lorena was for most of that part the same distance ahead, well until my bike decided to start flipping me over near some infamous bed of roots which were followed by steep small drops. I managed somehow and very quickly to catch myself from completely losing it and recovered really fast and despite the steepness, just clipped in and kept on going. I did come out of this section only a little below her. With each pedal stroke on the long and quite brutal Red Zone climb I was getting the gap smaller.<br />
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Than we went to a fast, grassy, another slalom like descent, feed zone 1 and one steeper climb ending with a big and steep descend to the forest. This section is pretty awesome, at times technical but mostly very fast, with big berms that turn into the technical La Massana climb. Lots of roots resides here, different lines and it does get steep. Not making a mistake here is a key and I actually felt very confident here and didn’t mind choosing the hard lines.<br />
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This is where I caught up to Lorena. After that, we had another even steeper and pretty long and narrow descent, which did flow into a really fast and rooty single-track that I adored. I was sitting on her wheel now, thinking when I will be making my pass. We have two really tough upward turns however coming up and I knew those were going to be tricky and everything needs to be as perfect as possible to make them with no mistake. I knew my lines and options well but didn’t expect or even think that the smallest root in this steep 180-degree turn would still be slippery. My back wheel slid off the root turning my bike completely and halting my climb. Putting a foot down here was the factor of losing those valuable seconds that will be so difficult to get back for the remaining of the race. That also opened an opportunity for the rider behind me to make a pass. Simply every little small second would and will count and the weight of any mistake is huge. My pass was not going to happen now and I lost my 3rd position. Soon after we were going through the famous NASA bridge, feed zone once again and to the finish.<br />
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We were all very close and I made my attack on the first climb again making a pass back toward the top, I took the harder line on the descent while the girl in 4th took the easier, somehow miraculously she did come out on the bottom of the next climb in front of me. Here we go again, now I know she is very good in descending and will be keeping that in my mind. I attacked the next grassy climb and passed her back. Climbing through the roots to the Cadellas natural rock garden was getting more and more brutal on the following lap. I knew I had to be here mind strong and even stronger on the descents. Red zone climb was getting now to everyone, and looking up you would see only, sweat, glare, and have no pray to see the end of it. It was kind of no point looking up, just put your head down and keep on grinding. Lap by lap went by and pretty much gaps stayed the same way between all of us. But they were so small that once again every single second was going to count and count big. I knew I have to stay really focused and powerful on all the climbs and could not make any mistakes, like completely any on anything else. The smallest mishap could cause not getting on the most important podium so far in my life. The pain in my body when I approached the rooty climb for the 4th time was indescribable, I simply looked to the side for a second and thought how amazing it would be to just faint or sit down and not have to keep on climbing. But instead I had to look inside and tell myself, Beata just one more time, and I gave all the energy I had mentally and physically to push through it and stay clear on all those vicious roots.<br />
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Going to Rampage was another concern and I was very comfortable with it, but knowing how technical this descent is you just never can count on everything going smooth, but when it does happen of course it is great. I had to have good speed here however since the girl behind was a good descender, coming out of there before her would be the key. I knew I can handle the climb and remainder of the course well. And it did happen, I was in 3rd and Lorena in 2nd was just 20 seconds ahead. My Pax was somewhere toward the top and said “2nd place is just 20 seconds ahead” I knocked my head as I did know and he said “just letting you know”. And I was completely aware of it and really played a little back and forth battle on the red zone climb with myself thinking if I should try to attack harder and risk not riding clean to the rest of the lap of the race and possibly sacrificing my position for greediness. Or to listen to my body and ride hard, ride on the edge of my limits but limits and efforts that I know I can handle. It was tough and I had to decide it really quick. I stayed at my pace, went down to the forest, slalom downhill, tough climbs, technical drop and the fast section one more time that ends with those two really tough turns and climbs. This was probably the most important part at this moment and key point of the race. If I pushed just a little harder a few minutes ago I would be very vulnerable of making mistakes here, that would cost me seconds, which could cost me a podium. Because I decided to race within myself and my limits I cleared the first one and soon after the second one flawlessly. Now I just had a grass stretch to NASA bridge for one more time and fast section to the feed zone and finish. I was standing up, pedaling now like there is no tomorrow, I felt like I had wings, I forgot how much pain I was in and had to endure to get to this moment. One more climb to the Finish and the Andorra Stage. I crossed the finish line only 25 seconds from Lorena Zocca, last year’s World Champion and 3x Italian champion. I won my first medal on the world stage. That was the most amazing feeling. Lorena, a few days later went to and won another Italian National Champion title when I was flying to WV to compete in my XC Nationals. The following week she won the European Title as well. Kiara Bisaro won the race and the whole event overall, she was so fast that she beat Marga Fullana, bronze Olympic medalist. What a company to race with…<br />
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So, it happened, I was not sure if I should be going and racing here but I did and by doing so I allowed myself to be able to stand on a World Championship podium and win my first ever medal.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcT4cF2s9hYIM0Vfz46wAKiD0d7xz82E1JERgPm6-9ZIhAqhPxMKUygVQ6D7GfUFqwz2EVa3nj62-z_eABtM7H2ocWRdBPGkFvpUo3-p4pfU37V7HTdyvsTN1WAU-jiNz8wQJstvVCQQ/s1600/BDW_3698+%2528Large%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcT4cF2s9hYIM0Vfz46wAKiD0d7xz82E1JERgPm6-9ZIhAqhPxMKUygVQ6D7GfUFqwz2EVa3nj62-z_eABtM7H2ocWRdBPGkFvpUo3-p4pfU37V7HTdyvsTN1WAU-jiNz8wQJstvVCQQ/s640/BDW_3698+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the left: Lorena Zocca, Kiara Bisaro and I. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having a bronze in such an event against such strong competition and still have such a close race for second place was more than I could dream of. I ended up not improving as I calculated by 6 minutes but by full 9! I was not any longer 10, 11 minutes back from an Olympic medalist but only 2, woman that won this race overall 8 consecutive times. I was and still am proud of myself and how I handled this race. I could not ask for being stronger, composed, focused and determined that I was on that day. <br />
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It was truly the most amazing ending to my biggest, most ambitious, buzziest, biggest season ever. What I had planned after that was also going to be very hard but the pressure was thankfully coming down drastically here. I felt complete.<br />
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The award ceremony was fantastic. The time I spent with the ladies that I was racing and sharing the podium with was really amazing too. They are both very incredible women, strong, driven, talented but so kind at the same time. We become friends very quickly and I really cannot wait to see them again and race and ride bikes together.<br />
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This event not only brings the best talent out there but also the biggest passion and it really showed. <br />
Winning this medal was not only a culmination and reward of all my work that I did put in for so many countless years. But what more important it was a win for everyone around me. For my husband Pax who is there for me supporting and sharing my dreams, to the point that they blend in and become our dreams. So, making it happen for both of us was really amazing and I am happy I could do it with him. It also applies to all my sponsors and supporters throughout the years, some being there for me from the beginning of everything, when I was just starting the race and we would share together all those moments and journey and ever-growing desire to dream big. <br />
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I fell in love with the mountains here, rushing rivers, wildflowers, changing weather… <br />
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It was really hard to leave Andorra so soon the next early morning after the race. <br />
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We had a nice small dinner with a group of friends in a little town tavern on the river’s edge. People do come here with big dreams and tons of hard work put in and it is a chance to really become friends with really great people.<br />
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We took a small walk up to the Nature park and the moment I started climbing, I kept telling myself just a little more and little more. I didn’t want to stop, I didn’t want to turn around. There is something so mysterious, rough, beautiful in those mountains.<br />
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Andorra will stay in my heart forever.<br />
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And we were able to make a little piece of history here…<br />
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Thank you goes to: <br />
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ZeroUno Bikes, Spaziale Compositi, Riders Only Bikes, Castelli, Magura, Removu, NDTuned, Limar Helmets, Schwalbe, Rotor Bike Components, Squirt Lube, SelleSMP, Trainer Road, ESI Grips, Clif, Xpedo, Garden of Life, Kuat Racks, Oakley, KMC ChainsBeata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-24770081163859578882018-06-25T18:13:00.000-04:002018-06-25T18:19:35.997-04:00USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships - Arkadelphia,AR - National Champion <br />
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USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships - National Champion!<br />
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I did it once again!<br />
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Write up coming soon... <br />
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-15146021652262629082018-06-25T18:04:00.001-04:002018-06-25T18:20:50.269-04:00Removu K1<br />
Removu K1<b><br /></b><br />
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Capture your life like a movie!<br />
Capture it in stunning 4K video<br />
Film yourself easily with ‘Selfie’ mode<br />
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https://removu.com/k1/<br />
<br />
At Sea Otter Classic in beautiful Monterey California I had an opportunity to open up brand new K1 unit that I just received and pretty much right from the box start taking awesome videos.<br />
In matter of few minutes I was able to learn how to operate it. It was fun. K1 went with me all around the expo area with over 400 vendors. I was able to use normal and selfie mode and keep flipping in between so everyone can see that I am taking part of the experience. <br />
I had fun recording some pro racing action as well as capturing really stunning videos of the ridiculously beautiful landscape of the rugged west coast.<br />
<br />
Shortly I will be putting some videos together for all of you to enjoy.<br />
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Nowadays I do not travel without it!<br />
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-58490357979488684772018-06-03T12:18:00.000-04:002018-09-20T11:06:40.811-04:00Sea Otter Classic Expo and Sponsors<br />
<br />
Sea Otter Classic Expo and Sponsors.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtBPYqCenlnIdpQVX6Ld8wQ7oah8niJk2lOuVmpebrISXGcXBaX3z9w53XRX0eF-9EuXPUNk6aIXmUNAm8CMvWQSAVuao7rFuMAHS5tQIypikyl-YMDFtlxtaVg8ctCrsaXVU2gJjAyQ/s1600/20180422_151837+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtBPYqCenlnIdpQVX6Ld8wQ7oah8niJk2lOuVmpebrISXGcXBaX3z9w53XRX0eF-9EuXPUNk6aIXmUNAm8CMvWQSAVuao7rFuMAHS5tQIypikyl-YMDFtlxtaVg8ctCrsaXVU2gJjAyQ/s640/20180422_151837+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Magura Team</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2eg3enc7tKlYph6gmeLsXWs1T7kPxGyQ6KadbwSIoicR83JfUO5RWExvzTuXjCswfKuKrxwhjOLxN8Tx_8hiQ7GZWh8ghTGbLKhV8wSwC2ppebqjlMg1agaqucu0YFK7plFvZpD0wU0/s1600/BDW_2905+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2eg3enc7tKlYph6gmeLsXWs1T7kPxGyQ6KadbwSIoicR83JfUO5RWExvzTuXjCswfKuKrxwhjOLxN8Tx_8hiQ7GZWh8ghTGbLKhV8wSwC2ppebqjlMg1agaqucu0YFK7plFvZpD0wU0/s640/BDW_2905+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lake Cycling</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzORJlI1e7ls-M3f5czFg4mjBppjrn0okzLFaBp2_33yWK7Rrevq9Vu0wEc3s9CteTrQmxPjz4eCblcYLHuq79HHaAkvUywpnDmCRRjlhHVC43pNuZwZh3GRIgZSXSxKlLsAsCVQX_Ig/s1600/BDW_2978+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzORJlI1e7ls-M3f5czFg4mjBppjrn0okzLFaBp2_33yWK7Rrevq9Vu0wEc3s9CteTrQmxPjz4eCblcYLHuq79HHaAkvUywpnDmCRRjlhHVC43pNuZwZh3GRIgZSXSxKlLsAsCVQX_Ig/s640/BDW_2978+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Squirt Lube</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JGQCDwV9HfI77jG7d3NN_Qs4d-ew0o1-lqAb0CjTf6Ns6ttGd6QGpusG57A7TuCeXo505D-2hE_F0Ye26VXCTUZgfho-4Vw9Sy5GbMbCNf_XW6DMoJAa8zccI2ZNVIZl0RleOg-0qYU/s1600/BDW_2983+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1580" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JGQCDwV9HfI77jG7d3NN_Qs4d-ew0o1-lqAb0CjTf6Ns6ttGd6QGpusG57A7TuCeXo505D-2hE_F0Ye26VXCTUZgfho-4Vw9Sy5GbMbCNf_XW6DMoJAa8zccI2ZNVIZl0RleOg-0qYU/s640/BDW_2983+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">SelleSMP</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_sCC57FscU1OINTMzMFw5xr8-zV8pDV7r4ga93nvNux4WAJorFW4RV7lwW4Zgct17LGvKYijU2L7lkvpQJgWD8c91t1Ll7gVW7I6-LUSfySETQO9UFJjYNWdcqzjFyWPPOPQGC5sdKw/s1600/BDW_2986+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_sCC57FscU1OINTMzMFw5xr8-zV8pDV7r4ga93nvNux4WAJorFW4RV7lwW4Zgct17LGvKYijU2L7lkvpQJgWD8c91t1Ll7gVW7I6-LUSfySETQO9UFJjYNWdcqzjFyWPPOPQGC5sdKw/s640/BDW_2986+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kuat Racks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjDEDSE1tS982eDx0AY2VxrZmZ7-oM_NkKsGuHBp8ckIIlpQdMAna7nLV_LOkIZsb29vPu36my3_3ASKPKx6cyJ0u3Jjp_MT7FBAD2lffvDl_LP49rHClixLHRD5LVEl76a1tvKkY_k4/s1600/BDW_2989+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjDEDSE1tS982eDx0AY2VxrZmZ7-oM_NkKsGuHBp8ckIIlpQdMAna7nLV_LOkIZsb29vPu36my3_3ASKPKx6cyJ0u3Jjp_MT7FBAD2lffvDl_LP49rHClixLHRD5LVEl76a1tvKkY_k4/s640/BDW_2989+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">KMC Chains</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChvAnoAkVb_GRwW2xQAjZ_JWyTSvv2kHJl-3PkyjCLD7yV9CXtpiiosDwnZK3PK0bSFcqCJrSyBbzSotm0dM9UkGbxHq2UF2bRJU8W6ITrBL58kQuh6yJW5c_AWg7hQXjt3J1NArslzs/s1600/BDW_2991+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChvAnoAkVb_GRwW2xQAjZ_JWyTSvv2kHJl-3PkyjCLD7yV9CXtpiiosDwnZK3PK0bSFcqCJrSyBbzSotm0dM9UkGbxHq2UF2bRJU8W6ITrBL58kQuh6yJW5c_AWg7hQXjt3J1NArslzs/s640/BDW_2991+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Xpedo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyAiAIptX5jM_SkxjKapVodDdYPUONRjZRwTM11XJciLJQRe98h0zXEqPAhcL0K0bmTt6VptqHQ2z0W_nb_fIDnUprP_qq0FW5CuntKbupDECE0dszxAmGLPDvogbTTMRyBnVRoYLZO0/s1600/BDW_2994+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyAiAIptX5jM_SkxjKapVodDdYPUONRjZRwTM11XJciLJQRe98h0zXEqPAhcL0K0bmTt6VptqHQ2z0W_nb_fIDnUprP_qq0FW5CuntKbupDECE0dszxAmGLPDvogbTTMRyBnVRoYLZO0/s640/BDW_2994+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clif Bar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKG-tYW0lbmyFo_5qyDc5ux9uwCzAMBqTk3TkAn_t7kcR8e-2apNbOEXWwHbcRaFBwYeQbxonN1o_zTTwgkiEHgynW8VFJIPELcP2lnZaN9FjKziYvOVI-tpMYwQ4kas6ih4nEbEp6diM/s1600/BDW_2999+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKG-tYW0lbmyFo_5qyDc5ux9uwCzAMBqTk3TkAn_t7kcR8e-2apNbOEXWwHbcRaFBwYeQbxonN1o_zTTwgkiEHgynW8VFJIPELcP2lnZaN9FjKziYvOVI-tpMYwQ4kas6ih4nEbEp6diM/s640/BDW_2999+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rotor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccg3BOC6mV4EdPuebVZO21xt3r7LHuasxbKhPcwdzI5M5xukf1ymCvqDYL5QneliBkwSRF3JcGC6udGI5gqnGcepLdUGu9Cz9XwtjKdsMZZ5B_iTiGVOh6048-WBXh8K00ajWn54rg9s/s1600/BDW_3001+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccg3BOC6mV4EdPuebVZO21xt3r7LHuasxbKhPcwdzI5M5xukf1ymCvqDYL5QneliBkwSRF3JcGC6udGI5gqnGcepLdUGu9Cz9XwtjKdsMZZ5B_iTiGVOh6048-WBXh8K00ajWn54rg9s/s640/BDW_3001+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rotor</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKl67NL_FRzWg0rBcr59rdGesSWNKUA4X6bjbJvJDmHkcGX2h9-QgANGxwwGmrlcDL7wcV89s332Zf7yNM2PbK6CT2ZUGstiL9Bhuz_kZWWW8pkxXtksQw0zCKn7AYmwxX-hzKnuE3y0/s1600/BDW_3004+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKl67NL_FRzWg0rBcr59rdGesSWNKUA4X6bjbJvJDmHkcGX2h9-QgANGxwwGmrlcDL7wcV89s332Zf7yNM2PbK6CT2ZUGstiL9Bhuz_kZWWW8pkxXtksQw0zCKn7AYmwxX-hzKnuE3y0/s640/BDW_3004+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Squirt</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmoJ1hhwKZTf5oLFf9F0qp2CNVUES4-c7WlkpTKXC9mbQaVzqBqsKmt0s-sN3Qg7iMI5HCwLPopKtZ_zXB0D6-jFKyO_PnmwRKnak3k578fX03vP5yQmj6KhyxkgbjDuUSNfmeWqZ9es/s1600/BDW_3006+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmoJ1hhwKZTf5oLFf9F0qp2CNVUES4-c7WlkpTKXC9mbQaVzqBqsKmt0s-sN3Qg7iMI5HCwLPopKtZ_zXB0D6-jFKyO_PnmwRKnak3k578fX03vP5yQmj6KhyxkgbjDuUSNfmeWqZ9es/s640/BDW_3006+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Squirt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFqohkIX3u6GcfeHm6fIVUB-o60CSrVYW5g-HvuEQ98xqPiqL14CyHLaDbQkPmr9_rtX8z5pgD9GwjMbVjgYiiK2e0Y94U8_gasIlosui5UzqMb06gismbpFnskHosjdWrEYip2t55Ik/s1600/BDW_3009+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFqohkIX3u6GcfeHm6fIVUB-o60CSrVYW5g-HvuEQ98xqPiqL14CyHLaDbQkPmr9_rtX8z5pgD9GwjMbVjgYiiK2e0Y94U8_gasIlosui5UzqMb06gismbpFnskHosjdWrEYip2t55Ik/s640/BDW_3009+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Schwalbe</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzIGXnm7IFW5QVwDgKNrNh_CBelPnIQ0Ul-K2rcU47LHIRdpblHcGyed7fUcUynx5W_ZYldRTdZFJfO1Evsg2wWia0NBhtafJQim4_H1kKvPJLgZkr8VsB4E0WoPXQjjBT-18LOfQMyY/s1600/BDW_3013+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzIGXnm7IFW5QVwDgKNrNh_CBelPnIQ0Ul-K2rcU47LHIRdpblHcGyed7fUcUynx5W_ZYldRTdZFJfO1Evsg2wWia0NBhtafJQim4_H1kKvPJLgZkr8VsB4E0WoPXQjjBT-18LOfQMyY/s640/BDW_3013+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oakley</span></td></tr>
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-82780323352877052018-06-03T12:17:00.001-04:002018-09-25T13:22:56.731-04:00Sea Otter Classic - Monterey CA<br />
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April 22nd - Sea Otter Classic - Monterey CA <br />
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New Year, New Bike, New Team and New Bike Shop. This will be an awesome beginning of a really wonderful journey... <br />
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1st Place - Cat 1 - Women and 5th Overall<br />
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Sea Otter Classic 2018 is in the history books once again.<br />
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<a href="http://www.zerounobikes.com/" target="_blank">2018 ZeroUno Ambizone HT</a> built and maintained
by <a href="https://www.ridersonlybikes.com/" target="_blank">Riders Only</a> in Jupiter Florida. <a href="https://www.spazialecompositi.com/" target="_blank">Spaziale Diamante Handlebars, Seatpost, 25mmID Wheels and Ceramic Bearings everywhere</a>. <a href="http://serviziocorse.castelli-cycling.com/en/welcome/" target="_blank">Castelli Custom San Remo Speedsuit</a>. <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires" target="_blank">Schwalbe Racing Ralph and Rocket Ron's tires 29*2.25</a>. <a href="http://www.extralite.com/" target="_blank">Extralite 70mm Stem</a>. <a href="http://www.magurausa-shop.com/" target="_blank">Magura MT8 Raceline Brakes with Storm SL.2 160mm Rotors</a>. <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">SquirtLube Chain lube, Sealant and Barrier Balm</a>. <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor InPower 170mm Crank with 30t Q-Ring DM</a>.<a href="https://limar.com/en/" target="_blank"> Limar Helmet</a>. <a href="https://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley Prizm Radarsunglasses</a>. <a href="https://www.sellesmp.com/en" target="_blank">SelleSMP Carbon Saddle</a>. <a href="https://xpedo.com/" target="_blank">XpedoM-Force 8 Ti SPD Pedals</a>. <a href="https://esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Fit CR grips</a>. <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC 11 Speed Chain DLC</a>, <a href="https://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif Gels and Electrolyte drinks</a>.
<a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/" target="_blank">Garden of Life supplements</a>. <a href="https://removu.com/" target="_blank">Removu S1 Gimbal</a> and a <a href="https://gopro.com/" target="_blank">Gopro 6</a> to record the race course.
<a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">TrainerRoad</a> to train with on my<a href="https://www.cycleops.com/" target="_blank"> Cycleops Hammer trainer</a>. <br />
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What a massive race and even bigger the venue and bike festivities which are going around for many days.<br />
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My last and only time that I raced here was in 2015, the course was slightly different but not by a lot. Few extra miles were added this year as well as some extra few hundred feet of climbing, lets call it a special treat for those Floridian legs! Ha-Ha. Last time coming from flat Florida, it did work out for me even though I had to climb quite a few thousand feet in such a short amount of time and I ended up winning the race. It was a blast, the day and my race was a perfection too and those don’t come easy or often. I could not have asked for more.<br />
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I was a little apprehensive to this year’s trip, since replicating this perfect day and result was going to be a mission not easy to accomplish. And the pressure of course would be there as well as expectations. If you win something once it would be natural to be expected to do so once again. Taking all this baggage off my shoulders was not going to be easy, but I had to focus on the task at hand, enjoy the moment, enjoy the scenery, welcome the opportunity and another chance of doing great presented to me.<br />
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I was happy to unite here with my Zerouno Team and teammates, ride the course together and spend some time off the bike too and get to know each other. It was really great to meet everyone in person and have some quality time. I also appreciated and enjoyed so much meeting all my sponsors and supporters once again. This is exactly what made this race and trip so much more special, since as I always say, this is way more than a race…<br />
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Our pre-ride was fun, the whole course was fast and pretty flowy. Of course, there were lots of climbing and new for me sections with steep and washed out from the rain, narrow ridge like areas and lots of sand. Those were tough during the practice ride as well as during the race, and not just for me but everyone else. We all suffer at the similar rate so the course was going to be hard enough for everyone, especially with those 4 thousand feet of climbing with the full exposure to the sun.<br />
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The race day did come quickly enough and I was ready to go. I had 2 bottles on me and had no idea if anyone will be able to get to the feed zone located some 13 miles away to give me more water. I had to make it work and decided to shovel the second bottle in the back on my jersey. By the way, it was time to show off my first ever speed suit custom made by Castelli. It was soft and snug but also very comfortable and my bottle and some Co2 and extra gels fit perfectly.<br />
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It was not that cold on the start line like 3 years ago but It was not steaming hot. I didn’t know if I will be feeling the pressure or not but I ended up once again being cool like a cucumber. There is something with this far away from home racing that somehow is easier on the mind, maybe because most of the people that we are racing are unknown and you really cannot know what to expect. Only thing that can be controlled here and done right is to be focused on yourself and my own performance and ride to my best ability. Having a great time along the way is a bonus, and that’s something that is constant when I am racing, not a matter of how much it hurts. I simply enjoy the moment!<br />
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10 seconds, and we are off. No one started crazy fast but rather at a smooth but strong pace. I made sure I stayed in front and watched the field. We went around the Laguna Seca Raceway and we were all tucked in and staying organized. I made sure to keep my position and keep it there until things will require a change. I was in 5th/ 6th spot and shortly we were about to approach the first dirt climb from the raceway.<br />
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The moment we hit the dirt the shuffle began, everyone was pushing to the front but no one was moving fast enough to get away. I was slightly moving forward and making progress toward the front of the field, after we passed the fence and were freed into the main course I had to be in top three. There was only one small downhill separating us from the first long and pretty steep climb. I pushed on the gas and made another pass, seconds later I looked ahead and there was only one more rider ahead of me getting up the hill. I did catch up and had to decide quickly if I stay here or what my next move was going to be. It was the most aggressive rider in the group and I was right on her wheel. I felt this sudden rush of power going through my legs and felt I can do much more than that so I pushed the gas hard. I stood and hammered up the hill like it was sprint to the finish, not the start of a 32 mile race. It felt good, I had Dewet from Squirt capturing the moment and cheering me on when I was leading the pack to the top of the climb.<br />
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There after reaching the top things became beautiful, whole view just opens up and you can see for many miles in every direction, the sun is up, the wind is strong and the only thing waiting for me is this long and loose and ridiculously fast descent. I am the leader here now and can dictate my pace. Toward the end of the decent and the long way of rolling hills I did catch up already to the rider from the group ahead. I thought it was crazy fast to see already people from other groups in front but it happened. The moment I got on her wheel we did hit the first small section of single track, I didn’t have anywhere to go and ended up having the other aggressive girl from my class catching up and making a quick pass when the path finally opened up and spit us out on the road. So, we had this trio of us now on the long stretch of asphalt. The speed was high and we were going mostly downhill, half of the road was conned away and girls were using up a big chunk of the middle. I just sat there and didn’t bother to stress about it or try to take risks here to pass. It took some patience and minutes were ticking away, but there was a light, I saw the next marker into the first true single track which was facing uphill and was going to be really winy and will last what seems like forever. I got closer, waited, waited, and made the move the moment the last cone disappeared. I rounded both riders and charged into the dirt path with wings filling up my soul. I knew it was the moment, this was the time for me to once again hit that gas and never look back. <br />
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I felt strong and the path narrowed quickly. Small and dense poison oak bushes were the only thing here, besides really sudden blind turns and coming out of nowhere roots that one had to dodge. Sun was already beaming full strength down. In a matter of minutes, I was catching up to other riders, male and female. It was really hard to pass here, it was hot, I was pushing hard, breathing hard and had to find a way to ask for a pass and make a pass in those narrow corridors. I looked back a few times but didn’t see anyone familiar besides people I just passed. Path did finally open up. It was a gravel road, I saw groups of ladies ahead, I was tired but I pushed on the gas even harder. I was determined not only to catch up to them but also to pass them as soon as I could. The wind was strong again and not only was I fighting the gravel, the small grade but also a headwind. I was still making passes and moving forward with a lot of force. One girl sat on my wheel and hung with me for a bit, other in front let me go by again. I didn’t cozy up with any of the groups for much amount of time, it was the Hi and Bye approach, I tried to be quick here. The next single track was rough too, much steeper, also narrow and ground was bumpy and washed out. Tons of new riders were ahead and waiting to be passed, little to their knowledge at the time. It was all going by smooth but taking a lot of energy. So even though it was costly it was still worth the effort to keep getting away and covering the distance as fast as possible. I had on the horizon another group of girls and once again we were in a new section of single track, I had no way to pass here and had to wait. We did come out to the gravel road which shortly culminated with this crazy steep, deep sand, hike a bike section with the ridge like riding on top. I was making my passes on the climb and the top of the dirt, I had to stay with some of the riders however on the descent with was like a never-ending sandbox and bike was just sliding left and right. For some reasons we were catching up to some younger riders. The trail opened up again and I was on the gravel, I remember passing here a few guys and catching one girl ahead. I asked her if she knew what position she was in and she said she was in 3rd. A few seconds later I did my thing and I was gone. I jetted away in the pursue of whatever was lying ahead. I was already on the second water bottle which I was able to switch on the hike a bike section, now I can only hope it will be enough to finish the race. I passed the feed zone, the only feed zone that was there, I remembered this section well from the last time I raced here. It turned quickly to a beautiful single track with olive tree looking like orchad feel. It was pretty narrow, fast, I had more riders to pass. After that there was another section like this with a very steep climbing and more olive like trees, it was a pretty part but also very painful, everyone suffered here and it showed. It was a busy area and I had to ask a lot of riders to be able to go by. The climbs were steep now all the time, it was not going to get easier, it was the testing time. Somewhere toward the top I passed another girl. When I asked, she confirmed what positing she was in, she was 2nd in the whole class ahead of me. Apparently, I was doing really good, not only I was leading my whole class but was in front of class that started 2 minutes before me. I knew exactly who was in the winning position here, the only person left was my team mate Monica and I was sure she was already far away gone. What took place after that was even more testing, the trail opened up once again into a few constant miles of pure climbing, double track, full sun, tons of tired riders ahead, empty water bottles and half way through the climb, monster inner thigh cramp. I never got that before when riding and I looked ahead and there was much more climbing and it was getting even steeper. Some people defaulted to walk. This was a true testing time now and I looked back and I saw someone in a red kit, something that reminded me of the girl from my class that was trying to fight me from the start and was anxious to lead. <br />
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I was not really sure if it was simply someone else and I had nothing to worry about. Either way I had to figure out quickly my cramp situation, I had to slow down, massage my leg while still biking and take it a little easier until things settled. I got to the top and I was crazy happy to see my Pax here, who thankfully had a little extra drink for me here, it was much needed. He was happy to see I was going pretty strong and there were only 5 miles more left to go but he was not sure what position I was in since there were a few other women ahead. I did catch up to another girl from a previous class again and ended up going back and forth with one of the top riders from 19-29 class and trying still hard to make as good time as possible. We were working together making passes on the male riders ahead. The climb to the top was steep but I got my wings back, the mountain opened up once more and in seconds we did get on the fast descents. There was lots of single track now with varying terrain, bumpy, lots of turns, narrow, constant up and downs, all fast and all painful. You forget here however about all the exhaustion and everything else, you can almost taste the finish line. So even though it does spread for few miles, the feeling is there, the end is so near, no matter what energy is still there is being put out and into good use. I was still charging, I looked back again and saw one more time the red kit, I mentioned it to the girl I was riding with, she confirmed she was from her class. I could have backed off but I didn’t. I said to her “you can do it” and we were charging forward not letting her catch me or her. I was leading again and let her stay on my wheel. We were still passing guys, lots and lots of riders. There was only steeper climb ahead, I remember how painful this one was, lots of people opted to walk, but not me. I knew I will be making it all and I will be going fast no matter how much it hurts. I think the girl could not hang with me anymore, there was a little section of single-track left, sharp left turn that I remember so well, steep sandy climb and crazy rewarding feeling of my tire hitting the pavement of Laguna Seca raceway once again. Fast descent and big right turn into the monster bridge with a banner Sea Otter Classic written across, it was all that was left. I flew to the finish once again, with a thrill, with a joy, with a huge feeling of accomplishment.<br />
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Right away after crossing the finish line I saw my Pax and Ronny waiting for me, my team mate Monica was right there too. Instantly my eyes started to tear up. I don’t know why but emotions took over and it did get me just like it did last time. It was so rewarding and incredible to win here one more time. I won, I won this amazing big race once again, not only winning my group but placing 5th overall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4ZMA-wzkiOnAhgbSTye3XBT-72YmHfTEZP_lKcmiQrchMEoHVAWMRkQAWLYSMoobYvOVKE3hovPa6kkzE98h-lGDV6GpPxgdMB2YHrlcVxDr2X9VpGRc6hgNHylpmD3rTcb3l-q5oRI/s1600/20180422_182107+%2528Large%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4ZMA-wzkiOnAhgbSTye3XBT-72YmHfTEZP_lKcmiQrchMEoHVAWMRkQAWLYSMoobYvOVKE3hovPa6kkzE98h-lGDV6GpPxgdMB2YHrlcVxDr2X9VpGRc6hgNHylpmD3rTcb3l-q5oRI/s640/20180422_182107+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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I felt like now I can finally relax and enjoy. What an incredible moment, what a nice finish to all the work that I put into preparing for it this year. I was happy to win here not just for me, but in front and for all the people that had been supporting me for so many years. This is where all my supporters could experience first-hand and share my victory with me and I could bring to them my Sea Otter winner’s jersey and medal in person.<br />
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I wanted to make them proud as well as my Pax. I was happy I was able to make it happen once again. Monterey had been really good to me and I am very grateful for that. <br />
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The following day was wonderful, myself and my husband decided to take our time and drive in a lot of scenic areas of the coast and had a beautiful breakfast off Carmel beach where we took the most gorgeous and amazing morning walk.<br />
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Drove through the famous 17-mile drive and Pebble Beach. And continued the trip all the way up to San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge with numerous stops along the way with the most scenic view and really good times to remember.<br />
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Had some time to catch up with some of the Pro's as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0flg2EkOUT4ulsJHY15KrciM1suYdqveBO06kiI8C14QhrXa6A8mFW8katSJcE7CCiXB4u_mbZa2uXv5LMEIBBD_3tOpTorotqYlQmDxdKqGV9iHYRRTx0jxPCQi56bV2FJgCyAl8Kw/s1600/20180421_160238.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0flg2EkOUT4ulsJHY15KrciM1suYdqveBO06kiI8C14QhrXa6A8mFW8katSJcE7CCiXB4u_mbZa2uXv5LMEIBBD_3tOpTorotqYlQmDxdKqGV9iHYRRTx0jxPCQi56bV2FJgCyAl8Kw/s640/20180421_160238.jpg" width="310" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_9cyH_oYdnoXWpxrgN-Y_6cghJVAHBp1mb3xuq8QaCC_GM8p5kHJqKBWVhaWSYH5BEF6GySUrbAs3nwYn9MRJq7XBh03aXjFbddn2dsyR_ri_NPnFac9pWf1MSG3rZbylyICNagOark/s1600/20180421_155158.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_9cyH_oYdnoXWpxrgN-Y_6cghJVAHBp1mb3xuq8QaCC_GM8p5kHJqKBWVhaWSYH5BEF6GySUrbAs3nwYn9MRJq7XBh03aXjFbddn2dsyR_ri_NPnFac9pWf1MSG3rZbylyICNagOark/s640/20180421_155158.jpg" width="308" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmaV6UPUEauPjifPWjk4ydBtn46B8pnaEtovP9gS5uo_IxQVrVuwSMdQ396x5tgfMW2A_ocN0PVI3uI6dWcFbZBfUipoVr1FpqKXZvdbnjRRylQEJWCK9mJr09hYeulyJ6LYI-pGrvec/s1600/20180421_162554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmaV6UPUEauPjifPWjk4ydBtn46B8pnaEtovP9gS5uo_IxQVrVuwSMdQ396x5tgfMW2A_ocN0PVI3uI6dWcFbZBfUipoVr1FpqKXZvdbnjRRylQEJWCK9mJr09hYeulyJ6LYI-pGrvec/s640/20180421_162554.jpg" width="310" /></a><br />
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What a trip!<br />
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Thank you goes to: <br />
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ZeroUno Bikes, Spaziale Compositi, Riders Only Bikes, Castelli, Magura,
Removu, NDTuned, Limar Helmets, Schwalbe, Rotor Bike Components, Squirt
Lube, SelleSMP, Trainer Road, ESI Grips, Clif, Xpedo, Garden of Life,
Kuat Racks, Oakley, KMC Chains
Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-50818871883577094702018-02-02T09:24:00.001-05:002018-02-06T12:54:27.264-05:006/3 Hour Green Gobbler - SEC#1, Conyers, Georgia<br />
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6 Hour Green Gobbler - SEC#1</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2<sup>nd</sup> place finish, 4 seconds off winning the race. </span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />64.13 miles <br />5:21:02 moving time<br />4,478 ft elevation gain</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2,536 kJ</span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Preview of the course I rode with my <a href="http://removu.com/s1/" target="_blank">Removu gimbal</a> and Gopro 6 can be seen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBuajWV6rqg" target="_blank">Here</a></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Take look at their new Handheld all in one Camera/Gimbal - Removu K1 - <a href="http://removu.com/k1/" target="_blank">Here</a>. <br /><br /> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV1eFsRTe8LkZPM5MxS5UttSxpKXbEWMxv-YVMWUe4nlej3JtRvVnMBgKBwLHJrVuXvfioY3WELdA2ZqpLJFMjWbjNSJHAgpZJ6kinSYy7k8ZAAn83283VYJVJF4-g0B4-2uLuDZX-T8/s1600/bb6159f768b9dc699a2dea441b6dbb3b_400x400.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkV1eFsRTe8LkZPM5MxS5UttSxpKXbEWMxv-YVMWUe4nlej3JtRvVnMBgKBwLHJrVuXvfioY3WELdA2ZqpLJFMjWbjNSJHAgpZJ6kinSYy7k8ZAAn83283VYJVJF4-g0B4-2uLuDZX-T8/s320/bb6159f768b9dc699a2dea441b6dbb3b_400x400.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> First race of the Southeastern Endurance Cup by CHAIN BUSTER RACING.<br /><br />Fantastic race, great venue and really nicely organized!<br /><br />Everything
was neat, to the point and very timely and that’s a sign of the
organizers really trying hard and putting their hearts into putting on a
great race. <br /><br />And not only the race was run smoothly, starts were
somewhat staged but also new owners of Chain Buster Racing are really
good and kind people and it showed! <br /><br />Please enjoy the story of my
6 hour journey on the bike and I will try not to bother you about
the 18 hour journey in the car to get there and back! </span></span></div>
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What a race and what a drama in the final minutes of the long day. Who
would think a long 6-hour endurance race will come down to a sprint
finish in the last half a mile on a gravel road.<br />
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That was exciting and frustrating at the same time but I will explain it more soon.</div>
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Racing out of Florida is an amazing, fun and always, really great experience, but getting out of state to get there is pretty tough. We had to break it up and leave straight from work on Thursday, drive up 5 hours and the following day another 4 hours to be able to pre-ride quickly the course. <br />
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Racing at the 1996 Olympic site has to be great and I was sure will be worth the drive. The course happened to be really fast and flowy and really fun. It was filled with some creek crossings, wooden cute bridges, big fast berms that would take you and your bike straight down and right away straight up. I did throw here and there quite a few “yeppers” even during the race! The elevation change was constant right from the start but really it was hard to feel that you were climbing for the most parts, it was just a very joyful ride, besides of course two major climbs where there was no doubt it was happening. This is where the race for the most part was won or lost but once again it was not exactly the case of my race since there are always exceptions to such rules.<br />
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The start/finish/transition location is a massive open field and that gave a lot of opportunity to check out where you are as far as standings in your class as well as to obtain all the drinks and nutrition that would be needed for this 9-mile-long lap which provided 700 feet of elevation gain. <br />
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We had a pretty late 10 am start on Saturday morning and I will not complain here about it since I love to sleep in, yes not like, love… <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VlFpjdpy1O_C6gwU3XypNH1JiG495AdItQI-TlhQrwNmtyWD5Ptr1PKuet6QCU4x_jWupvbH-AOcZuo7FRhGm7rPOlzE-2MUMmmITptl_lO6cfsbPFBURaIi5XC86yI_NuSii9iIW28/s1600/20180126_141940.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VlFpjdpy1O_C6gwU3XypNH1JiG495AdItQI-TlhQrwNmtyWD5Ptr1PKuet6QCU4x_jWupvbH-AOcZuo7FRhGm7rPOlzE-2MUMmmITptl_lO6cfsbPFBURaIi5XC86yI_NuSii9iIW28/s400/20180126_141940.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />
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The 6-hour racers were sent off first and 15 minutes later the 3-hour class. It was completely overcast and in the low 50s. I was super happy to freshly gear up with some new Castelli warm accessories, base layers and even fluffy super comfy socks! Last two cold races in Florida my feet were frozen for most of the ride therefore I knew something had to be done. I am happy to say that everything workout great for me and I stayed warm and cozy.<br />
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Right before start Steady Spin did an interview with me and other female racers and after that we were ready to go. </div>
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Mass start on the grassy field, probably the less favorite for me part of the endurance racing. We started but my legs were not moving at all, I pedaled but I felt I was not getting too far. It took some time for my legs to warm again and start turning properly, I began making up the lost spots before we hit the single track.<br />
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I had some female racers in front but I was not that much concerned of that. First lap with everyone out there was little on the busy side but I was able to slowly keep on picking off riders and making my moves toward the front. Toward the end of the first lap I had two females still ahead riding pretty much wheel to wheel, I counted and I was around a minute back. On the second lap the gap did widen some more to the first rider up to 1:20 minutes but the second racer started to fall back and I was only picking my speed up. The second lap was pretty exciting for me since for the whole time I was chasing the second girl down and kept counting down the diminishing ground between both of us. On each climb I saw her and the gap kept getting smaller and smaller to 40, 30, 20 seconds, I was almost there. On the bottom of the most memorable for all of us open and quite vertical field, the grassy gas pipeline climb I came out right behind her, went by and after saying a quick Hi climbed away. <br />
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At that point I didn’t know how far ahead the first rider was, but I found out later that the gap grew to some 1:40 minutes and I had a new mission to foretake. Therefore, my whole 2nd lap was about tracking down and passing the second rider, now I made a priority for the 3rd lap to switch my focus on the first rider ahead and doing exactly the same. This lap was however the busiest of all with huge amount of slower riders ahead on the trail, most likely there were the riders from the 3 hour race that we were catching on to now. So gaining spots and time was pretty difficult at that point but not impossible. And as planned I started making up pretty quickly all the lost ground, making up time little by little and starting having a clear view of her on some of the climbs and turns above and taking note of the time gaps. All if it was taking place exactly at the same places that it did just on the previous lap with the other racer. On the second hardest climb of the 3rd lap I had her almost on top of it when I started the ascent. I was hoping to catch up on the next big climb the gas pipeline but once again she was already on top of it when I got there. I knew it was going to take little longer this time, I finished the 3rd lap still in 2nd place. Only difference was that in the grassy field just going into the 4th lap she was right there ahead of me only some 20 seconds in front.<br />
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In the matter of 2 minutes or so right in the first part of the single – track of lap 4 I was already on her wheel. We talked, I went around her and we had a very long nice ride together and we chatted away for quite some time. The pace was good but no one was making any moves or pushing really hard at that time. Now it was a matter of figuring out what is going to happen for next half of the race. Knowing what kind of rider she is and how she races I knew most likely she will enjoy sitting on my wheel for the remainder of the 3.5 laps and will try to take over the race with a sprint finish. I didn’t think she would be making any attacks since I would be able to follow and respond. So now it was a waiting game, we almost covered together most of the 4th lap wheel to wheel. I knew that at some point I will have to try to get away but I didn’t know yet where and how. Very soon we reached the final 2 miles of the lap with two major climbs coming up. I figured I will just climb as normal or even more conservative and watch, and will feel it out where we both stand as far as freshness right here. I went to the climb first, no rushing and just waiting to see what happens. I kept spinning my way up higher and higher but could not hear anyone behind me. I thought her bike must be very quiet since there was not the smallest sound behind me. I didn’t want to look back, I never looked back, I just kept biking and rode away. At some point little further down the single track I found myself being alone and finished the 4th lap with a lead. <br />
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I went into my 5th and 6th lap in first place. In the meantime, I felt strong, driven and determined, I was riding really well and had lots to give. I ended up growing gap to 2 and even at some point 3 minutes. Things were looking good, very good. My 6th lap was not that fast but still our time was only 19 seconds apart and I had a big lead going to the 7th lap. I was putting a good smooth pace but didn’t go crazy since I knew there should be enough to take me to the finish.<br />
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Also, since the beginning of the second half of the race a little drizzle showed up here and there, slowly transforming the ground and making it slightly stickier. It was funny since the two major climbs did not bother me that much for most of the race but after the 50 mile mark I had no desire to ever look up to see what is still ahead. I just kept my head low, admired the saturated with some light rain ground under my tires and some dried-out leaves being stuck to the ground and blending into it alongside the hundreds of different tire tracks. Both of the creek crossings here were a little rugged with sharp wet rocks and I wanted to make sure I didn’t do anything goofy here on the end of the race. Everything was going nice and smooth, each time I looked back just in case I had no one there. I never got any splits and was not really sure what was going on behind me. I did go one more time to the big climbs and still didn’t see anyone, after that just before the last part of the single-track was the additional longer but more gradual climb and also, I did reconfirm looking back that no one was chasing me here. I spilled out of the mountain to another small portion of the last single track and had my husband there waiting and cheering me on. He was still not aware that something was cooking in the air. <br />
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I went to last section of the single track, which was the narrowest of all the trails in the whole lap and most likely the slowest. I was pretty much coming out of the trail into the gravely downhill and I thought I heard a female voice and it sounded way to familiar for my taste. I looked back quickly and the only thing I saw was guy in yellow. When I started descending I heard out of the sudden my husband saying “she is right behind you”. By the time I realized what was happening and hit the bottom of this little descend and started riding on the half mile long gravely fire road below the race finish, this crazy freight train at ridiculous speeds went by me to my right leaving me in the dust. This fresh guy (team racer) in yellow went by me like I was standing still and had the female rider pretty much glued to his back tire, just sitting right on his wheel ducked down and was speeding away. They were to my far right and even if I wanted I could not have grabbed their wheels. I fought and powered on and was speeding on my last gear that I had and it was still not enough to keep up to the guy’s pace. I felt sick, sick in my stomach, shocked, surprised, speechless. I didn’t give up for a second but just felt my fantastic win and all the hard work is being stripped away from me in a such a horrible manner. The gravel road was long and culminated with a tiny loose rock climb out to the open field. Now I saw my opponent on the top of the climb, the guy that led her through the whole last lap was now in between us, and I started climbing really hard seeing that she was melting away there. When I got to the top we were both sprinting on the grass the last few hundred feet but she was just too far ahead and she just kept looking back and checking on me to make sure I don’t catch up and get much closer. It was completely a finish that you see in the Tour de France races all the time but never in mountain bike races. I was 4 seconds off first place on the finish line of the race that I in theory won but should had won in reality.<br />
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I was in complete shock and rode the whole last lap unaware that she was working with someone and pre-arranging the final straight away attack with him and was bridging the gap. I just wish I knew since I simply would have picked up my pace. But the only thing that hurt was that when I saw her and realized that she was catching me it was in that moment when it was too late to do anything about it. They came out of nowhere and it all happened so unexpectedly and so fast. That’s why the image of the freight train going by me on the flat dirt road will be burnt in my head for a long time now. I wish I had an opportunity to fight her in more of a fair game, female racer to female racer, head to head, tire to tire and there was no outside help involved. In that scenario I feel I would have won the race that I should have won. <br />
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Moral to the story however is to never take for granted any lead you might have. Never assume, never settle, never get too comfortable. I’m still speechless of what happened and how it happened and even though I really don’t like the way this race was won I cannot be fixated on that. I rather need to keep myself accountable for my own actions for not taking the win into my own hands and simply riding super strong into the finish, that way no one would have a chance to touch me and take it away. So, I’m here to blame and will have to find a way to just move on from it and learn from it. I would never make a pact with a male rider to reel me in and especially take me by the other female racer on the road for the win because I would want to do it by myself, completely on my own. This is the only way that would make me sleep at night, this is the type of person I am, maybe foolish, maybe naïve, maybe too innocent for the sport, but I don’t care, it’s me. I’m hurt but I will only get stronger from that. <br />
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I just wish everyone could see what I saw and feel what I felt when I was leading and pretty much winning the race. I am so very proud of my ride, race, effort. I was strong and I rode in a dominating fashion. I woke up completely sick with flu like symptoms while in the hotel in Georgia just a day before the race and I was able to still pull off such a good effort. Now all we had left is to jump into the car for a long, over 9-hour drive home and after that start working on my chicken soup and everything else I can come up with to get rid of my sickness, since I was totally sick now. <br />
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The long drive was however worth it. The bikes hung happily on my Kuat NV 2.0 black bike rack and didn’t mind it at all. I had a great time, fantastic race and saw great things already unfolding for me for the new season.<br />
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I am happy and I should be happy, I see myself getting stronger by the day and it showed. Myself and my Pax did an amazing as the team and everything as far as communication and all the nutrition needs were almost executed perfectly. I was all over my Clif gels and drinks the whole race in a very punctual matter and it definitely kept me focused and on the gas.<br />
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Small funny thing I remember from my 3rd lap is having a male rider behind me following my wheel and at one point he asked me "are you racing 3 or 6 hours?". I told him "6 hours" and he said "I'm surprised" and I asked "why?". He responded "well not that you are a female but because of your pace". It made me smile and I took it as a complement, I exactly know my limits and what kind of pace I can hold so I didn't have the concern that possibly he had that my pace was too fast for such a long race. But I found it quite cute and flattering... :-)<br />
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Overall it was a really good test to see where I stand on the beginning of my 2018 season and just at starting point of the process of building my strength. I will be back soon and even stronger.<br />
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Thanks goes as always to all my sponsors, my Pax and great race organizers who put on one fantastic event. Also, it was great to race a lot of kind and new racers and see a good number of female racers out there crushing it! Georgia mountains are beautiful and a wonderful blast to ride and hopefully I will be back there soon enough to enjoy them some more!<br />
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Special Thanks go to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a>.<a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/" target="_blank"></a><br />
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See you all next time!<br />
<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-57747295488015587562017-07-27T18:07:00.000-04:002017-11-01T15:20:18.058-04:00USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships - Snowshoe, WV<br />
USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships - Snowshoe, WV - July 18-23<br />
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2nd Place Finish.<br />
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Since I just freshly come back from Andorra without having to do much other preparation I felt ready for this race. Last year I placed second in this event in California and I was full of hopes to make it even better and finally stamp my cross-country racing journey with a win. Other racing as endurance events come for me much easier, but those short cross-country efforts always cause me more trouble and make me feel slightly like a fish out of water. So even though it’s not my best game I still want to do good in it and I’m trying to put myself in this not so comfortable for my body and mind territory. Possibly it’s just the other way of challenging myself or torturing myself, depending how you look.<br />
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We didn’t have much time to spare on this trip and headed out quite late, Wednesday night after work. It made for after sunset flight in rainy and full of thunderstorms Floridian evening weather. It was quite creepy and dark, lightning was burning out in fire gold and white colors on each side of the plane. It was also the time when my best friend Mooser was in the hospital giving birth to her baby boy. Could not take my mind off of it and hope all is going to be well. That evening we drove partially toward the race site that night and the rest following morning.<br />
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It was a very neat view to arrive on top of the mountain and have the championship start line and race shoot going right through the middle of the ski village where the lifts stop and cannot go any further. But we still had to build my bike, grab something to eat and get ready for my only practice ride. Sadly, race organizers didn’t assure that everyone will get ample amount of practice and only slot available for my racing class was from 6:30 to 7:30 pm which also overlapped race meeting. Gosh, someone questioned that decision and was told to make a choice one or the other. There was no brainier for me I had to get out and see as much of the course as I can. People had such mixed opinions of what the course was really like that I started getting kind of sick listening to everyone having completely opposite story. I just wanted to get out there and was getting pretty anxious.<br />
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It rained the day before as for what I was told, but now was beautiful and sunny out. The course ended up to be quite dry and only slippery and wet in some more dense areas. <br />
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From the start, there was mostly double-track leading from the village and dropping down alongside the chairlift, soon after it went on the even faster and fun single-track decent which was super short, probably no more than 30 seconds and after that continued on the double-track climb which culminated with the steep part, road and the decent to the most unpleasant single-track section of the whole course. It was the trail called Fingers and felt like eternity, I cannot tell what it was, it had no flow, no speed, just tons of roots filling out the mossy and dense forest with trees just being closely scattered on our path. There were multiple lines one can say or simply no lines, it was bumpy and it was impossible to get any rhythm through this section. Toward the end the trail started heading downwards with few moist and root filled turns, afar that it spilled to another double-track climb.<br />
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Whole course consisted of pretty much that, open climbs, mostly open descents and two rather tough single-track sections because of its rugged profile and no flow. There was this one fantastic section where we would drop in to the part of the DH course and have few big berms and roller coaster like riding. There were rocks of course on this part too but I don’t think it mattered at that point, everyone probably was so thrilled to hit actually enjoyable single-track at full speed. <br />
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Then came the final big open climb, it started more mellow and in the final part got steeper. It culminated with a U turn and dropped into the rockiest section of the race course. It started off pretty good with little drop in into the river of rocks, the momentum here really helps and makes it not so bad even on the hard tail. Shortly it flattens out however, starts getting more twisty, more rugged and has some roots also filling out the space. Now things become trickier. I had one little crash here on my pre-ride but nothing too big. With my quite strong dislike to the rock gardens for some reasons I felt quite content, capable and not too overwhelmingly bothered by this ridiculously bumpy terrain. It was pretty much like riding on the bottom of the river, and I’m sure anyone who did come from where I come from would not call it a mountain biking trail or anything that we are used to. But it was what it was, ocean, or river of rocks, and we had to deal with it either we liked it or not. After that was final climb out, fast open section over the bridge and back to the center of the village through the starting shoot. I was happy I covered the whole course with no issues and was comfortable with what was out there.<br />
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Comfortable doesn’t mean however super-fast or national champion worthy fast, but maybe just enough fast. Those two parts of the course just felt too bumpy and too slow for me and I didn’t feel like there was much I could do about it. I was quite aware that there will be plenty of riders who can get through such a terrain with more speed. I would lie if I said I liked the course, still looking back now I think it was weird. When I jumped in quickly on the second lap it was getting really dark in the rooty forest, I could see low and golden sun rays sneaking there through the trees. It maybe would be pretty if I wasn’t there now by myself. It was getting really dark now and it was uncomfortable to be stuck there for a long time alone. When it was done I was more than glad to be out of there and finish my ride. I had quick few minutes to give a shot to the man-made rock garden too and it was not all that bad after all. It was for sure place where people gathered and it did receive a lot of attention. But as the rest of the course it was little out of place and awkward.<br />
Honestly for so many years I had been hearing nothing but great things about this mountain and incredible trail system, supposing the mecca of mountain biking and downhill but sadly I didn't get to experience any of that. So my long yearning to actually fly all the way up here to experience this bliss for my tires and soul did sadly disappoint. <br />
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The race was already the next morning, early morning, 8 am start which meant I will not get much rest nor sleep. 5 am wake up and we are heading to the race site, the thick white fog covers the whole mountain. When I attempted to do my warm up it started to rain. I got quick few minutes in and I was already all wet. Now it was a waiting game. Few minutes before the planned start we were told we will be delayed by 5 minutes, then by 10 and 15. We kept on waiting now under the tents in the cool wind, lightning and rain. Toward the end of this long wait when we were all shivering we finally were told to move to the indoor warm room. We stayed there for very short time since the news did come that we were set to go and were asked to report to the start line. Everything was wet now; the course was not going to be anything like what I rode yesterday. Our race was shortened from 3 laps to only 2 also. It was going to be short and messy ride. Everything drastically changed.<br />
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So here we go after all the rain and lightning, an hour delay, waiting drenched already in the fog and rain to start my race we were finally off. I actually had an awesome start, got the hole shot, lead for the longest time through the fast parts, dived bravely into the first foggy descent, I felt like I could fly. Realizing how foggy it actually was and how unfamiliar I am with this course made me wonder for split second if I should be going actually first. But if felt so good. Girls it seemed could not keep up with me. It was super fun descending to the little single track that lasted for some 30 seconds full speed with little humps and a mini bridge. Soon I was spilled to the fist gradual climb which did pitch up toward the end. This is where my battle with one girl took place, we went few times back and forth on this ascent and later on the slow rooty section. I was happy to hold my spot and get into the rooty single track first. I felt things may stay good for me but sometimes later not even third way in the second girl catch up with me and passed me like I was standing still. She seemed to roll so much smoother than me through those slippery roots.<br />
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This trail which was filled with gazillion slippery roots was the most annoying part of the whole race to me. This is not only where I lost my lead but also felt the most hopeless. I rode but I cannot tell I raced. I felt like here everyone was on their own just trying to get through, no speed, no flow, no grip, just dancing around on my bike, placing the wheel as carefully as one can and letting the other one slide in kind of where it wanted to. It really su..ed. <br />
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There was no way to speed up and do much here but grind the teeth and look forward getting out of there. I felt I was trapped on the repeat loop, this thing seemed to have no end. I got passed again. On the straight away finally I regained myself but I was not the same anymore, something internally changed and I could feel it. I pushed but I was not as focused as I was before, I didn’t have my wings as I did when I entered that slow trail. On the steep climb, I finally caught the girl that just passed me on the end of the slow section. I loved all the cheering that I got from the crowd and our Floridian friends. That helped and gave me much needed boost. Now I was going to reach some fun sections or section, let’s not be too excited here, there was one part only of DH trail that we raced on that was actually great. It was full of flow, berms, toll roller coaster like fast humps and some rocks. I liked it. This was the most favorite part of the whole course for all of us no doubt. Too bad it lasted for mere minute and we were back on the rest of the course. After that was the biggest open climb that probably gave lots of trouble to most and especially those that did come here from the flatter part of the world. I was pretty OK here and didn’t mind the climb but it doesn't mean that it was easy because it was not. <br />
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My first place was way ahead now however and I was faced with the never ending wet riverbed like, crazy rocky section. Getting through it was much more difficult today when wet then yesterday. Even though in dry it was already quite unusual experience and I did not consider this section a trail, it was something out of ordinary and little more out there to what we consider an actual bike trail.<br />
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In no time, I had only one lap to go since we got reduced to only two laps. On the second lap, I felt smoother and tackled the roots in somewhat better manner. I got even complement that I was so far looking the fastest of all on this section, but I knew that that was completely not true. I knew that girl that I was chasing was even faster. I somehow managed to get my gap to first place down from 1.5 minutes to 45 seconds and am most certain I had her just ahead on top of the final steep climb with even less time in between. I was making my time up and getting closer, she was right there and I felt for a while that I had a chance to catch her. But then way too quickly came the rocks section once again and I lost more time there. I put an effort but it was too little too late. Wished I had one more lap that was taken away from us. I finished second and I was full minute back.<br />
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Another 2nd place finish at XC Nationals.<br />
Train of thoughts kept going through wondering what could I have done differently. I feel probably a lot and this hurts the most, I raced well but should have done better, don't feel I raced to my full potential. <br />
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I had good time however and experienced some thrill of jetting down nasty rocks and learning more and more to trust my bike and mostly to trust myself. It was a great feeling to be in the lead and dive down to the foggy descents and let my bike dance around the slimy roots and rocks that filled this forest. It was and will be an experience that hopefully will fuel me to push even more, dig little deeper and keep me motivated to put obstacles in my way so I can challenge myself even more. I hope it will only lead me to higher heights.<br />
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Huge thank you to my Pax for being by my side and believing in me so much, and to my wonderful sponsors who make sure I have the best components during my training and competition. I was shocked how this little pony equipped only with minute amount of plush in it's tiny "soft tail" frame, performed well on such a rugged course and in quite rough conditions.New Rotor QRing with direct mount was a perfect choice for all the climbing and definitely; made my day easier and more enjoyable. <br />
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Also loved seeing out there so many Floridians! It was fun to share this experience with you all!<br />
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Silver Medal at MTB XC Nationals once again. In summary the experience from Snowshoe is rather bittersweet. I felt it was my win to take but I feel one-minute short to achieve what I came here for.<br />
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Seems that it was exactly about what West Virginia promised to be! It was a wild terrain for a wild soul. I was sipping during the whole stay here on my tea in the WV cup while enjoying the scenery. The cup finally made it to its home after owning it for many years.<br />
It was all not easy here but challenges in our way and good friends around is what makes us stronger. Florida for sure made a stamp here and we will be back for more! It was a super short trip for us but very enjoyable. <br />
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Let's never change and keep on chasing those windmills!<br />
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Special Thanks go to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a> and for 2017 - <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/" target="_blank">Trek </a>and <a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/" target="_blank">CeramicSpeed</a> <br />
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Until next time!Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-89924374798390344662017-07-27T18:02:00.000-04:002017-11-01T13:11:18.907-04:00UCI Mountain Bike World Championships - Vallnord, Andorra<br />
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships - Vallnord, Andorra, Jun 21st <br />
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6th place finish<br />
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Andorra<br />
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What a trip, what a week, what an adventure!<br />
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I am completely in love with Andorra! Yes, the mountains here are steep as hell and give you no warm up even for your mind, but that’s the fascinating thing about them! They just go straight up from your hotel room up to the sky with no shame. There is no gradual approach to things here, everything is kind of on the very real part of life, no makeup, no delusions, things are just the way they are and I completely love it that way!<br />
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Myself and my Pax spent more than fabulous week in Andorra. Absorbed by the beauty of the mountains, we lived through the training and racing here, soaked up the scenery and explored it as much as we could. Probably it was one of the best and most meaningful trips we ever had, where I feel we both dug into what this whole area was about. We rode for fun, we rode performance, we rode for training, we watched others race, we climbed the mountains, we smelled the flowers and submerged our bodies in the frigid cold mountain streams. My soul was so complete there I cannot explain. We were never in our room even though it was beautiful. We would have splendid breakfast full of fresh baked good, fruits, cheese, freshly brewed coffee (and I don’t even drink coffee) and we would be out and about, exploring, exploring and exploring some more. We would come back just to shower off and head back out for dinner. That was a good life and best part was just being out there all day long every day no matter what was going on, who was racing, if it was sunny or it was throwing rocks out of the sky. We experienced it all and we loved it!<br />
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People in Andorra are awesome too, not only all the racers, the people that I met year before in Italy, all the new friends that I made here but also the race staff was great! We experienced only the most kindness from anyone we had pleasure to spend the time with.<br />
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And the mountains, I miss already this steep never ending climb and descent so much every day. To be honest it had been so hard now to find desire to get out and bike on my local trails, yes, they are fun, yes, they are technical, there is a lot of yesses going on and even more hard work put by volunteers, those trails did turn a regular girl into a mountain biker after all but, but something is missing. This raw nature of high mountains and being able to just climb up or practice descending and having a wind in your hair any time you wish is all that is missing. And also, the temperatures at least in those summer months were great. This is I feel my new home away from home… I simply never wanted this trip to end.<br />
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Usually we would leave home right after my race but this time was different. We stayed around for quite a few days longer and those were the best days ever that I can recall. I have been living life on a go since I remember, really since I was just a little girl. But finally, I got this tiny break where I don’t have to be anywhere, do anything, this little moment in space where I can just be. It felt wonderful… It was not completely by choice but it worked out for the best, I could not stop myself from wanting to explore this new territory more and more every day. My soul had been made for adventures, for excitement, for the unknowns, this is what drives me every day and what I am living for and looking for each time the sun rises. I’m glad I was able to experience it this time and feed my senses and the hungry spirit. Everyday life is not easy and escapes like this don’t come often, but when they do they are full of bliss.<br />
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The course. The course is awesome. It’s not a little easy peasy thing by any means, it’s hard, it’s always technical, it’s always up or down, it has lots of single track and you are being consistently challenged and pushed to the limit while still having fun. The climbs are tough, most of the climbing in single track is technical, all of it is highly exhausting since the altitude, steepness and natural elements. All the descending is tricky, tough and requires lots of open mind and commitment. You are at all times on the edge, gasping for air and at the apex of excitement. The initial climb from the start will wind you up, the rooty technical climb to the rock garden will make sure your legs feel like noodles by the time you get there, then the bumpy and rocky approach to the rock garden when you just have to go will test your commitment, you will have to pick best line and trust in your abilities. Then comes the steep, narrow, dh part of the course called the rampage, super fun but really rough, especially when wet. Everything is on the angle here and all roots are off camber. Then comes the soul sucking red zone climb, nothing more to do here but put your head down, grind your teeth, keep of spinning and know in your heart that there is an end somwhere. There is so much to this course throughout, steep drops (or roll downs as Emily batty calls them), more steep climbs, super-fast descends in the massive berm setting, the NASA bridge and super-fast section right before finish. This is pretty brilliant course but to ride if well and ride it fast you got to be amazingly well rounded and skilled. That’s why the world’s best gather here and show up on the start line! This is no joke, everyone is a champion here and it’s not like medals for everyone crew. We have champions and best of their countries and one of the best in the world in what they do including former pros and Olympic medalists. Everyone is fast here and it makes it for heck of the race!<br />
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Race<br />
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After the most beautiful, almost hot and sunny morning the day before my race we had front roll in with torrential rain at first which turned into the hail storm of epic proportion. It hailed for so long and so hard that course flooded instantly and all the exposed areas of it were covered with masses of cold, white piles of massive hail. Therefore, the men’s afternoon race had been postponed until the next morning. Which meant those guys will be racing right before my race. Because of the whole extreme weather, we were trapped on the mountain for the longest time and could not take gondola down to go back to the hotel and get warm again. We were simply freezing for the longest time. The weather is quite unpredictable out here and ever changing and next time I will remember to carry with myself the layers of clothing rather than leaving it back in the car or even hotel!<br />
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When I got to the race site the following day it was beautiful and sunny again with the bluest, picture perfect sky. But the course was still wet from the massive storm day before. When I got out on the part of the course for few minutes my front tire slid on the bed of wet roots and I hit myself so hard in my knee that it swelled up on the instance.<br />
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I ended up sitting before my race with the ice pack on it for the longest time in hopes for the swelling to go down. The staging that took place very soon got me little nervous, since each time they read out the next person and then the next one, it was still not me. Finally, I got last spot in the first line, which was really not accurate since I placed 4th last year but the order of lineup was based on the different parameters this time which had nothing to do with racing.<br />
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Standing there was slightly nerve-racking but it all went away when they finally send us off!</div>
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Short asphalt sprint and we went to the small descent with a turn. I didn’t have the best start and was somewhere mid pack. And now the grassy climb was ahead of us, this is where the suffering begins and will not end until the whole race is over. It was hard, but no one said it was going to be easy. I was not in the position I wanted to be and honestly the altitude and fatigue almost completely let me lose track. I regained some clarity on the top and started assessing the situation, I made it to the top of rock garden through the slippery roots and it was quite awesome since those are really tough sections. I had little traffic on the rock garden but all got cleared nicely as well as the whole rampage section.<br />
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In the red zone, of course we all suffered but I felt pretty ok here, well at least on first two laps. With all the grinding that had to be done here I managed nice passes on people from my class and whomever else was there around at that time. It felt bad but felt good too; if it makes any sense to anyone. The roll downs or drops required some courage from me and I had to really focus and clear my mind to commit to some of them. The rest of the climbs and fast descents were really great. But it’s such a different filling to do it in the race, it’s just so much harder! On the drop that I really disliked toward the end of the first lap, very young and fast racer was down, she was right on the bottom of it being pulled on the stretcher out of everyone’s way. What was super lose and dry just day before now was pretty saturated, the whole thing changed to totally different course. And as weather man predicted (by the way all the weather predictions were to the tee!) it started to rain on my second lap, changing the conditions even more so. I found myself every lap picking completely different lines just to make it through. I was very proud of myself how I was handling it and finding my way through this ever evolving and difficult track. I pushed my mind and my body pretty far and was holding now solid fifth position for the full second and first half of the final lap. After I cleared rock garden I looked back and saw only one person further behind who I passed before and she was not even from my class. I felt pretty safe with my spot and assumed that would be my finishing stand. But things were so much different now on this last lap, it was even more slippery, the rain penetrated through the pine trees and covered all the off-camber roots on this steep descent. My front tire gave up on me few times on those icy roots, I was losing traction and losing confidence in myself at the same time. I should have trusted myself more but I didn’t. I started feeling like I will slip now on every off-camber root I see and every drop and the whole trail was covered in that and only that, there was nothing more to it. I didn’t ride here as well as I should have or was capable of, I felt like I was wasting too much time. And I did indeed, by the time I was about to exit and hit the red zone climb once again I heard noise behind me. It was Meghan from Australia who did catch up with me. It was not long in when she did position herself side by side with me and soon after pulled and climbed away. I didn’t have much more to add to it, I was already tired, breathing hard, spinning on my last gear and it all looked pretty slow and miserable. I didn’t know about it then but my seat post somehow went down and I ended up sitting lower than I should. This probably didn’t make it any easier on me too. Also, the climb which is full of little, flat wet now rock was not the easiest to cover, considering its grade and how long it continues for. All and all I was in sixth now and there was not much more I could do about it. I rode as good and as fast as I was capable of on the second half of the lap, but I was not getting any time back, she got away too far and I had to settle for sixth.<br />
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That was the shortest and one of the hardest races I had to ever race in. In the blink of an eye it was all over. Now all I had was to reflect, look back, reassess, be happy about all the good that took place and remember the things that I still have to work on and that I could change if I had another opportunity like that.<br />
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Quite few things went wrong and were off and did affect my race. One was spending three out of four nights pretty much with no sleeping. One of them was of course our crazy long travel to get to Andorra with ridiculous flight delays and all the extra fun that comes with traveling that far. Two, first time in my life I forgot my clif drink for that only particular day and was racing just on plain water alone. I was bummed because of it but of course I still had clif gels on me which I could rely on but that was a big loss not to have the proper drink. Three, the seat post sliding down occurrence was just more than annoying and I cannot even tell when this happened and if I did most of my race if not whole with my saddle way too low. Four, the rain, this for sure messed up everything that I knew about this course from the prior days.<br />
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It’s crazy how all the training, dreaming, planning, all the preparations and wondering, everything that takes weeks, months and years was just summed up in this short little over an hour race!<br />
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That’s a lot to process and also to understand that the smallest decision or incidence on the course will have quite a big impact on the end result. In long distance racing things can be corrected since there is so much time to fix any mistakes, here whatever happened here, happened rather quickly and took just enough out that it cannot be undone most of the time. Every detail is crucial and you are on the end of your limits and pushing yourself even beyond them. This makes things even that much harder. <br />
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And there was silence. The air, the mountains around, and the excitement was now long gone. <br />
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It was time to step out, forget about wants and musts and look around instead and enjoy time that we have to ourselves and start to do things that feed our senses.<br />
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So, we did it. We did some epic riding, climbing, descending, cheering, hiking, sightseeing. We spent some good time with new friends, got to love those awesome Ozie’s! We arranged the most incredible hiking that I had chance to do in many years which took us some eight hours to complete to highest peak in Andorra, Coma Pedrosa. The views were completely sick and the day was filled with so much hard work but also so much pure joy!<br />
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It was great to do the climb with my Pax and Meghan who become my good friend after she overtook me on this never to be forgotten climb and took the fifth spot. It was pleasure to meet people outside of the race site. I loved all Australian crew, and especially David who I spent some great time riding with. I am grateful for the company, advise and patience on those beautiful trails. <br />
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Downhill tracks here are awesome too and I’m happy I had a chance to get out and ride them even thought I was on my little hard tail bike! Noting can beat thirty plus minutes of pure descending. It was quite brilliant experience and I would not miss it for anything!<br />
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I am so grateful to be able to live through such an adventure and share it with my Pax.<br />
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From witnessing this course on the TV first time, seeing pros racing it on the UCI world cup circuit, to dreaming about it, preparing for it, racing finally here and just being able to touch the ground with my own tire and breath the same crisp and thin air. We found our way to step into our dream and make it real. <br />
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There was so much of great things that took place during this time; so many adventures, so many stories and feelings. Too bad that the moment I felt I mastered sitting for prolonged amount of time in the frigid cold mountain stream it was time to leave… On my last day sitting there in this shimmering, ever rushing clear and refreshing water, I did not want to get out. The green leaves were basking in the hot sun, pink flowers were standing proudly in the tall grass to the side, some warm rays were hitting my skin while the cold fresh water was rushing and cooling off my body… There was tranquility, peace, harmony and complete lack of time. It was just me and the moment. I love life that way…<br />
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I am happy also that I was able to share my experiences with everyone through my reporting during that time. The feedback and all the encouraging was so great to see, thank you all for following my journey and cheering me on throughout! It is always helpful and motivating!<br />
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And all those that I met on my trip. Simply I am going to miss you my friends and hope so much to see you again soon…<br />
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Special Thanks go to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a> and for 2017 - <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/" target="_blank">Trek </a>and <a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/" target="_blank">CeramicSpeed</a><br />
<br />
Until next time!<br />
<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-21447036790123960552017-05-25T11:18:00.003-04:002017-06-07T13:43:24.775-04:00XTERRA Oak Mountain Pan Am Tour - Pelham, Al<br />
This will be my sixth time making this trip to the beautiful Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama.<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
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Equipment used / Products used: <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/procaliber/procaliber-9-9-sl-race-shop-limited/p/2080600-2017/" target="_blank">2017 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL</a>
from <a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes Miami</a> with a <a href="https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/eagle" target="_blank">1x12 SRAM Eagle</a> setup. <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-accessories/bike-helmets/bontrager-velocis-road-bike-helmet/p/11627/?colorCode=white_red" target="_blank">Bontrager Velocis Helmet</a>, <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/apparel/cycling-apparel/cycling-shoes/bontrager-xxx-mtb-limited-edition-womens-shoe/p/14804/?colorCode=bluelight" target="_blank">Bontrager XXX MTB Limited Edition Women's Shoe’s</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli Custom Tri Kit</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa-shop.com/" target="_blank">Magura MT8 Brakes</a>, <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-handlebars/bontrager-xxx-carbon-mtb-bar/p/12534/?colorCode=black" target="_blank">Bontrager XXX Handlebars</a>, <a href="http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=2623" target="_blank">Syntace FlatForce Stem</a>, <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-seatposts/bontrager-xxx-seatpost/p/12559/?colorCode=black" target="_blank">Bontrager XXX Seatpost</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/en/saddles/professional/composit.html" target="_blank">SelleSMP Composit Saddle</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/products/pedals/mtb/83/m-force-8-ti" target="_blank">Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti</a>, <a href="https://www.notubes.com/valor-pro-wheelset-neo" target="_blank">NoTubes Valor Carbon wheels – 27.5</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires" target="_blank">Schwalbe Rocket Ron's and Racing Ralph's</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">SquirtLube Chain lube</a>, <a href="https://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge Garmin Mount</a>, <a href="https://huubdesign.com/products/huub-axena-triathlon-wetsuit-womens" target="_blank">Huub Axena wetsuit</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor InPower Crank, Rotor QX1 34t Chainring</a>, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/sport/product.aspx?catalog=24&category=BottomBrackets&product=712&sku=PF4130" target="_blank">CeramicSpeed 4130 Bottom Bracket w/ Coating</a>, <a href="http://www.salomon.com/us/product/sense-pro-2.html" target="_blank">Salomon Sense Pro</a>, <a href="http://www.suunto.com/en-US/Sports-Watch-Collections/Suunto-Connected-Family-with-Ambit3/" target="_blank">Suunto Ambit 3</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/solite-250" target="_blank">Light and Motion Solite</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/products/hitch/nvtm-2-0/" target="_blank">Kuat NV 2 Bike Rack</a>,
<a href="https://www.seasucker.com/products/talon" target="_blank">Seasucker Talon</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/products/clif/shot-energy-gel?gclid=CI7LoqrAldQCFYpahgodG8kHGA" target="_blank">Clif Shot Gels</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/en/mens/sunglasses/prizm-sunglasses/category/m0201" target="_blank">Oakley Radar Sunglasses with Prizm lenses</a> and
<a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/" target="_blank">Garden of Life nutrition Every Day of my Life</a>... I also train with <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">TrainerRoad</a> every day at home with my <a href="https://www.cycleops.com/" target="_blank">Cycleops Trainer</a>. My husband tracks me during the
race with <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjIpzMi_SKlc5WdafGajIBJBrUDiNOC7nVAdBMOvKcYFvg5apw2Ne2bQ4u84mAD9c40PNQQTeFitU22OWonT8j0huiDAVPpDy9mth1-DkuUujbAXlPxWinHNwwGw-ELCDboGH8zD0Dug/s1600/20170517_185249_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjIpzMi_SKlc5WdafGajIBJBrUDiNOC7nVAdBMOvKcYFvg5apw2Ne2bQ4u84mAD9c40PNQQTeFitU22OWonT8j0huiDAVPpDy9mth1-DkuUujbAXlPxWinHNwwGw-ELCDboGH8zD0Dug/s400/20170517_185249_resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love this place so much that it comes very easily year after a year to put it on my calendar as a must do race. Not only are the trials just perfect, scenery is always spectacularly peaceful, tranquil and fresh. The huge forest and the lake creates the most relaxing atmosphere for the mind and body.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEe0zOMuMtxA7HRZ_gLdSdIY2ZimVPguzoxPCbSKY4miZeERL-F-D5cDXpP24i2n4H6j2nueJfLSxinXNF2rP8bzMcwLmobOyUMQ7Gl0IppbBEqP66ABm7_0_8qivQkBRrpXmC-olQFE/s1600/20170518_184111_resized.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEe0zOMuMtxA7HRZ_gLdSdIY2ZimVPguzoxPCbSKY4miZeERL-F-D5cDXpP24i2n4H6j2nueJfLSxinXNF2rP8bzMcwLmobOyUMQ7Gl0IppbBEqP66ABm7_0_8qivQkBRrpXmC-olQFE/s640/20170518_184111_resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This season is a little different however and to be honest I did question myself if I should have come. With the lack of XTERRA races locally and most of them gone from the US calendar it’s very hard to stay motivated and keep chiseling away day in and day out hard trainings for a year just to show up for only one major race in the region in a season. We used to have the whole American Series with a few regional championship races especially prepped for Pros but much of the importance for the amateurs alike. Now everyone is left with no choice but to attend only the maximum of two races in the whole country, one right here in Alabama and the only other one at almost 11 thousand feet of elevation in Colorado. So, this year became hard already, tough in that scenario as well as the whole country decided to join this race just because they have no choice if they need to compete for any point standings and have even the slightest chance for an overall standing. Not that many amateurs or Pro racers can afford to travel to other countries to compete and collect more points and have more races under their belt. It takes more time and effort to travel aboard. There are some smaller races regionally but even those are hours and hours away from us South Floridians, so yes it became really hard even for the most dedicated of us and committed to the sport.<br />
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So, with the lack of racing in triathlon and more of the laid-back preparation that I am not used to, ready or not we traveled to Alabama once again. <br />
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The drive was long but we broke it up and left after work and drove more than half way through. The following day the remainder of the trip and almost straight to the trails to pre-ride my bellowed Bama bike course.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T3zo6NohkL3Gs0vmesDJeYWGkza0o5Bq5yCiPV_EagyCYygfBS7aJEGut66nZBEmr-V5hVZ0dg-awqAoZLCTZ-FUKriVpfTxKO9SpC4lKmysSPqU6RwqFS0De_VMs4znUZbiDq6BljM/s1600/20170518_175237_resized.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="868" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T3zo6NohkL3Gs0vmesDJeYWGkza0o5Bq5yCiPV_EagyCYygfBS7aJEGut66nZBEmr-V5hVZ0dg-awqAoZLCTZ-FUKriVpfTxKO9SpC4lKmysSPqU6RwqFS0De_VMs4znUZbiDq6BljM/s400/20170518_175237_resized.jpg" width="225" /></a> <br />
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It was going to be a hot weekend and it was quite steamy at Oak Mountain. We biked in the mid-day heat and luckily for us most of the course is located under the dense foliage of this humongous forest.<br />
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The practice ride was pretty good and I found out quickly why I love riding here so much. There is just the ample amount of the fast and flowy single track all over the mountain with more or less technical sections. All of them however bring so much joy to someone who rides on the daily basis only a few mile-long loops on a constant repeat.<br />
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This year’s course was longer and included a new smooth trails, the Centipede and Jekyll and Hyde and the Johnson’s mountain was taken out. It did come close to 21.8 miles which I expected to take less time as the regular course since those two new sections had no technicality to them whatsoever, but rather were just super-fast, roller coaster style of joy riding. I must say I missed the Johnson’s mountain which I found more challenging and much better suited and much worthy for the race.<br />
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The next day got even hotter and temperatures got even higher and it supposed to reach the mid-90s.<br />
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We did our lake swim for practice and with just wearing a basic bikini there was feeling very comfortable and warm. There were just some cooler spots in the lake but everyone knew for fact that race will be without wetsuits.<br />
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On the race morning, I almost didn’t bring my wetsuit to the race site and at the last minute kept it along with my speed suit just so it’s there. It was pretty amazing to find out when setting up my transition space that after taking the temperature of the water we will be wetsuit legal. Oh dear, those were very good news for me especially with my little too relaxed swim training recently but I knew that we were going to cook in them and we will cook some more on the rest of the race.<br />
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I have to admit I was nervous, it’s always so much more difficult to come to a race with a really long break in between. Everything seems just a bit overwhelming and possibly intimidating. I did not have a good night sleep because of it and as always wondered why I am doing it to myself that it supposed to be fun and not that. But the truth is that there is no one without the other and everyone is experiencing some sort of pre-race jitters and has possible doubts. The race is the place to see where we stand and how we compare to others. I did not have huge expectations for the swim or the run but was hoping for a good bike split.<br />
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All in all, I found myself on the Oak Tree Lake shore standing almost waste deep in the brownish stirred up water by hundreds of racers and I got 30 seconds to go time. I could not believe it was happening again. My mantra for the swim was to stay “cool as a cucumber”, I knew I will have to put lots of effort to manage my open water anxiety. The less I race the more likely it is to take place and I am so very glad I was able to override my fears and dislikes and just focus on this damn yellow buoy far-far away in the horizon. I turned myself quickly off the race start onto auto pilot the moment I realized I did soldiered through the toughest part which is always the first 200 meters with a massive wave start. Someone did try to swim over me but I could care less, I just slightly moved to the side and I was fine, still focused and I didn’t want to even think where I was and why, I allowed my body to do what it learned in the pool practice and let it be. My mind drifted a million times in a million different places and it was a good thing for me. The stretch to the first buoy was really far and I had to focus a little more approaching it since all the traffic was heading now to this little space. Last thing you want to do on the buoy is to get pulled, pushed down and hit but this time it all went pretty well, the next buoy was very near and after that was left the long swim along the lake shore to the far away start/finish shoot. My arms felt tired on this lap, more than I would like them to be, I wondered how I was going to manage my effort through the second lap.<br />
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The quick grass shuffle was barley enough to shake off my arms and grab a few deep breaths and ready or not I had to get back in. I was swimming again and did not even bother thinking how far the buoy was. The difference on this lap was that people were more scattered all around so it was in a way more chaotic, I let my mind drift once again but at the same time I had to start thinking slowly about my transition and biking. This time around my arms felt much lighter but I felt like my heart was doing lots of work, it was not an easy peasy swim for sure, and soon after I started to feel the heat. Now I was uncomfortable thinking that if I’m overheating now in the water and I am so warned out, how tough it was going to feel on the bike and then run in this muggy and steamy hot conditions.<br />
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Glad to be over with the swim finally and I hoped on the bike. There was short road stretch to organize yourself on the bike, put gloves on and so on and soon after I jumped into the single track, and in instant I had to be ready to start my passes. In the matter of minutes not only did I realized it’s going to be a long journey having to have to go through whole groups of people ahead covering the single track as well as I felt how difficult was to bike while already exhausted from spending a half of an hour in the water. By the way our swim instead of 1 mile which equals 1.5 km happened to be 1.9 km long!<br />
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I was drenched wet, burning hot, huffing and puffing and trying to convince riders to let me go by. Some were better at it than others, some ladies were super nice and gave me some room, others could care less. I was progressing forward and really being in my zone however, I felt that in almost every single crucial section there was a person or a few who did not progress through the trail as fast as I would like to and therefore slowed me down on stuff that I could really fly on. There were a few riders that looked like they did not belong, they were hardy moving on the sections that were meant to be fast! I was a little shocked and had no slightest clue how they got in front of me I think I will have this visual of the guy in yellow going so slow in the single track after the cabin that it felt like the 16 mph that was required here was bogged down by him to the 2-mph pace. Thankfully I went around but it was not instant. The girl on the rock garden almost completely stopped looking on a little wooden bridge. I had to keep them going and telling them to keep pedaling and moving forward until I could finally safely pass. Man, that was rough. In the meantime, I started having a back and forth battle with one of my competition females. She would catch me up on the little climbs and I would have to go by her on all the technical sections and descents. Those are the mountain climbers! Ha ha. So, I told her “Listen, you are faster on the climbs I am on the descents, let’s make it work”, I just hated being blocked on the fast stuff.<br />
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Eventually she realized the facts and followed along. Well until the jeep road over 3-mile climb while her and some other girl just charged by me. I saw my Pax here at the only one on the bike feed zone (geez don’t miss that!) when he poured some awesome bottle of ice water down my back. It was so refreshing and much needed. I tried to keep an eye on the girl in color who went back and forth with me before, but the one that just went by me in the blue outfit was simply gone. The climb kept getting steeper and rockier, it was much more worn out and eroded than usual and made things a little more challenging. I kept the girl in color in sight and was not so far back throughout most of the climb. Happily, first time ever I could race here without having to change my chainring, the SRAM Eagle system was just perfectly edging on the lowest gear that would need only for the few steepest parts, therefore the Floridian set up worked perfectly. And there were only three times that I remember that I actually dropped my gear that low and exactly when I did that I was on the very steep climb under the fallen boulder and right before the bridge when I was catching up to a few other male riders. Since it got here a little bit busy after the horizon became a little bit clearer and I could see another few riders further up ahead I realized my girl in color was also gone. I charged and charged and finally got to the top of the mountain into the fast descent and a few long and sandy rollers. Right before the last uphill I went by another set of guys and went to a bumpy descent, it didn’t take long for one of the men to jet by me on this rugged terrain and start getting away on another fast stretch right before blood rock. I tried to keep up and eventually was able to catch him. Right before getting into the narrow and rock covered single track that proceeded the blood rock I asked the guy if he knows how to clear blood rock cleanly and he looked at me and said that he never rode it. Man, it didn’t take me even a split second to just go by him and he at the same time just realized it would be better if I went first. We started flying through it and when we were approaching more rocky parts toward the end we stumbled upon a rider on a fat bike! WTH, what is this guy doing in front of me, I had no idea, each time there was a little rock he would slow down big time and roll over it gently. I asked him three separate times to make space and let us go by but his ego sadly stood in his way and unfortunately in ours as well. The constant trees on the side and really no other way around and him not cooperating was just not working out. I was hoping that the last turn right before the descending down to actual blood rock trail he would let me go, but he just hit his brakes instead before a little root step down and started rolling into the trail. I yelled at him why he would not let me go and he just said I should have passed if I wanted to and he just kept on talking and riding like a snail barley going over the smallest rocks and little drops, it was actually pretty scary to go so slow through that. Man, I told him to just stay quiet and focus on the trail and riding. The man didn’t get that far however, soon after he saw the first rock drop he hit his brakes hard, stopped right in the middle and started unclipping, I was right on his feet and useless fat wheel. I was so angry, at no speed and nowhere to go I had no other choice than to dismount, run around him and run the whole section down. It was the saddest thing ever wasting all this time and knowing I could have ridden all of that and have been much further by now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3fIXKVoJbiB0vs3TmYv5IXyBXEPBqEn6vZ6fWJwm6_uN-3mTAHxtJASlhgEkIQOnE9ycbMEGm96J_R_2vjZuJ3VSeEkFhvOYzjtv8RmDghXXfeRTKkyEPEgrvfhTSU5tUlSP3YwdyEI/s1600/_BDW2149.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3fIXKVoJbiB0vs3TmYv5IXyBXEPBqEn6vZ6fWJwm6_uN-3mTAHxtJASlhgEkIQOnE9ycbMEGm96J_R_2vjZuJ3VSeEkFhvOYzjtv8RmDghXXfeRTKkyEPEgrvfhTSU5tUlSP3YwdyEI/s400/_BDW2149.jpg" width="266" /></a>The rider behind me proceeded as well and soon we hoped on the bikes and went to the next fast section. It was the speediest part of the course where you really have to watch yourself since the big boulders and rock over rollers are filling out the path and are scattered randomly all over. It’s very easy to make a mistake at those speeds on such a technical descent or just fly off to the side. So however instead of finishing the trail and going across the road to the Johnson’s mountain we were doing a sharp right to go to the new this year Centipede trail. It was pretty smooth and flowy maybe with a few rocks here and there, pretty easy and I guess good leisure and fun trail. This is when I caught up quickly to my girl in color and soon after I made a clear pass, I knew that since there was nothing to it and not much to worry about here I could fly like the wind on this trail and I kept gaining positions. Soon I got to the Jekyll and Hyde trail which was even more flowy and even smoother but for sure more fun. There was more speed involved and rollers were just straight from a theme park, race or not I did throw a few yippies here and there it was so much fun. The rider that hung on my tail however really wanted to pass since he said it was his type of terrain and he really didn’t like the rocks that we had before. So, I let him go, but like I should have known from the past things are not always unfolding as people present them, so even though he rode fast I had to nudge him quite a few times to pick up the pace. Now I wonder how much faster I would have gone if I didn’t let him go but at the same time maybe he actually kept me safe from overcooking some of those rollers. Either way to my complete surprise almost toward the end we caught up to the girl in blue. It was a long time since I saw her last and we were on her tail in zero time. Now I was trying to just figure out how to get by both of them. The male rider soon realizing I was really in need to pass and he was not getting away from me anytime soon finally let me by, well better later than never.<br />
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Now I had her ahead, I looked a few times on quick opportunities but she didn’t look like she would be easy to let go and cooperate. Interesting how this all works but just seconds later we got to the total 180-degree sharp turn and all I can see is this slow-mo movie playing ahead of me… All of a sudden, her bike slides across the turn toward the right pretty much taking most of the trail, her body somehow manages to go over the bars and lean toward the left and downhill section of the trail. She is in this weird fetal position and for the longest time just kind of standing on her helmet doing like a perfect but weird yoga pose. I yelled “you are doing a headstand” I counted in my head, 1, 2, 3 and she was still standing, finally soon her body tipped over and she rolled over. This time I was able to barley squeeze by her and asked if she was OK. When I finished my turn, I looked back and she was getting up and getting on her bike. Apparently, she was OK, just seconds later we were crossing the road and returning on the rest of original race course, the Family Trail and right after Rattlesnake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYEtQ5KAhiWrxzLzE4-MR_w9zSCbBAnGM0EdL8-kXxRLRuJ_oiTN8s4A54qh-z4fyMiHd1F-3WEPUuxk2D4-vuqrKAilcijbGafRvJUy5b7fS6aOfI3GecHqwx_Sm6treGk1RZSX5ntc/s1600/_BDW2303.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYEtQ5KAhiWrxzLzE4-MR_w9zSCbBAnGM0EdL8-kXxRLRuJ_oiTN8s4A54qh-z4fyMiHd1F-3WEPUuxk2D4-vuqrKAilcijbGafRvJUy5b7fS6aOfI3GecHqwx_Sm6treGk1RZSX5ntc/s400/_BDW2303.jpg" width="266" /></a>This is where I saw my Pax once again and he heard the crash that happened before. I was now ahead and having pretty good speed and flow and felt really good. I knew that I had to keep it strong here since we got way too much rest on the previous sections and now the final 4 miles are going to be deciding how much time I will have ahead on the run, I knew I need as much as possible, all that I could get. Even though this section can be pretty monotonic I think I stayed composed and focused enough. I actually for a change enjoyed some parts and had a good time. At one point I looked at my Garmin and all I could see is battery low, so I didn’t know exact milege to the finish but I knew it was very near, probably less than 2 miles. This is also when I started hearing some bike noise behind me that was getting closer and closer, I truly hoped it was one of the men that rode with me before. When I looked back to my surprise it was the very driven girl in blue once again and somehow she managed to catch up with me. In this order, we jumped off the single track to the fast double track along the lake and through the creek onto the road and to the transition.<br />
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She was right on my wheels and soon after was on my heels. When I hit the pavement in the full sun and the heat of the day my legs were barley moving. I was hoping the little downward section would help after the initial up but it didn’t bring much of relief. I felt like a snail trapped in running shoes. Just before hitting the rolling single track I got passed by three women, I had nothing to give to respond and with time instead of improving I started to feel worst. It was almost the Maui from few years back agony, this awful pain in my chest and abdominal area. I had no clue what it was but I felt really bad and I could not speed up even if I wanted to and to add to it I felt lightheaded. I was just wondering how I was going to get to the next feed zone so if I was going to pass out there would be someone to help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8WpTF4jzIbS8P5oI5RjJDzjvfq86QBmZYY1aXS1OiC77kPshKwK52HVn4rCDtyF-aNimPPuwEZ5Q-kMUhkrZRjc3_sweEPrpTsYrtel1d7xYn6uKVSdWFOvhP4q3N9hGIshLDJcnbss/s1600/_BDW2390.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="968" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8WpTF4jzIbS8P5oI5RjJDzjvfq86QBmZYY1aXS1OiC77kPshKwK52HVn4rCDtyF-aNimPPuwEZ5Q-kMUhkrZRjc3_sweEPrpTsYrtel1d7xYn6uKVSdWFOvhP4q3N9hGIshLDJcnbss/s400/_BDW2390.jpg" width="241" /></a>I kept on moving but just kept slowing down, in a normal scenario I would be already in my red racing zone, now I was just trying to survive. I somehow managed to get through the first lap and things did improve. My pace was just ridiculously slow and I felt it was more than my recent lack of running that contributed to it. I was cruising now into the second lap and sun seemed to haunt me each time I hit the pavement or the over the dam gravel stretch. I knew how bad the second lap would feel and thankfully the pain was gone but the legs were not turning any quicker and I was too tired to force myself to pick up. So, I rolled through the hills with the sense of defeat especially after another set of ladies went by me and I could not even entertain the idea to try to stay with them. All my work on the bike went to garbage in those really painful 6 miles. I thought to myself how hard this sport is and how iron clad all those athletes have to be to compete here since it’s so much pain and agony. You are fighting against the demons of your own being and keep punishing yourself and are not willing to stop or give up. We push our bodies to the point where there is nothing more that can be done, where we reach the complete limits. After the bigger climbs on the other side of the lake I had one log over and this made me almost pass out, who would thing going over the log can push you over the edge and be so exhausting, but it was. The last turn over the wooden bridge and I approached the last feed zone just a quarter mile from the lakeside finish. But I looked to the left and there was the girl that passed me not long ago, she was held by her wide stretched arms by two volunteers and her head was collapsing and her legs were going soft. She could not stand any longer on her own and was passing out from heat exhaustion. She was that close… I ran on the edge of the lake and had people cheering for me with one of them being Emma Garrard and soon after today’s winner Josiah Middaugh and his brother Yaro Middaugh and besides my not so great performance I got a huge high five soon before making my last turn into the finish shoot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHMdxect5mJY68OkPvWRuto2GwfLocIj4aVDnX3c9oYPG2mJEsKdglSBY9t0tf357cbuRSrAzU1xFNU0HVclkeR3M7ewTQ4IlatMIXTBF5zvDNzwUDERnf9dnIcJUfd8Pjox1s1fiRSM/s1600/_BDW2394.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHMdxect5mJY68OkPvWRuto2GwfLocIj4aVDnX3c9oYPG2mJEsKdglSBY9t0tf357cbuRSrAzU1xFNU0HVclkeR3M7ewTQ4IlatMIXTBF5zvDNzwUDERnf9dnIcJUfd8Pjox1s1fiRSM/s400/_BDW2394.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
I raced way longer than I am used to racing on this course, to be exact by a whole 24 minutes. The longer swim, longer bike, hot conditions and my unpreparedness contributed to that result.<br />
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I still placed 5th in a strong field but I knew I’m more than capable of delivering a better result. Improvising a race might work at times but the harder the conditions and stronger competition, the less chances of actually getting away with it.<br />
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The time we spent with all our friends and fellow racers were special, fun and emotional. It was so good to see so many familiar and long not seen faces and find out how their and where their lives are taking them. I looked at every single person I know and truly adore and thought that I don’t know how many times we will be seeing each other again and if I will be back here again. Thinking of moving on is one thing but actually doing it is other. I still don’t know if I made up my mind what should take place next.<br />
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All I can say is I’m very grateful once again for this experience and opportunity to be exposed to the top level racing in an off-road triathlon. To be with friends who not only are the top racers in the country and the world but also are the youngest, the oldest, the most inspiring and super fun characters. All those incredible people see what I see in this tough sport and hang in there very strongly for that particular reason, to stay connected to those that are so different but also so alike like themselves.<br />
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I was so happy to see Emma being back racing, to see Suzie racing strong. Catch up with talented Katharine, always super fun Debbie and always focused Caroline. It was pleasure to see Liz Grubber become so strong and make it to top 4 in Pro.<br />
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After the racing was over the XTERRA racers and the crew traditionally met up in the Margaritaville for an after party. It was awesome to catch up so many of amazing athletes there, including Josiah, Casey Fanning, Will Kasey and his wife, Marcus, Keith with his girlfriend and Lesley Paterson. It was a really cool evening and it was sad to leave.<br />
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But myself and Pax had additional fun stored that day for ourselves and after the racing and organizing we decided to go for an awesome bike ride. We had Jim chauffeur us around to the top of the Oak Mountain and we biked down the red trail bypassing blood rock and going down all the way to the Thunder Trail. The views by the way were spectacular but the clouds were already everywhere and there was the light drizzle and we could hear some thunder far away. By the time me and Pax finally got a few miles later to the Thunder Trail the rain started to pick up, very soon just slightly moist rocks started to become plain wet, it was getting rainier and rainier by the second and the trail was filled with small rock gardens all over. It started to get darker and darker soon we were in an almost complete darkness and full-blown rain. Also, the area got extreme flood warnings for this exact time. It was quite coincidental that we were riding the Thunder and Lightning Trail in the worst thunder and lightning storm and rain. Now it was so tough to navigate over the rocks but we did actually really very well with that and it was hard to see anything, the glasses were fogging and the darkness was just getting deeper. The lower we got on the thunder the more lightning strikes started to hit all around us, initially there were on the other side of the mountain, but now there were directly hitting where we were. It was tough but we had no choice but keep calm and keep descending. Losing cool now would not make anything better so I tried to enjoy our journey the way it was unfolding. I found it a great challenge to maneuver over technical terrain in those rough conditions and overall it was pretty fun. Finally, we got to the Lightning trail and oh boy, it was so fast, so steep so holly cow incredible. I did not care we were now jetting through streams of water, I was yelling out loud of joy, it was such a thrill to ride those sick descents, I was happy to hear that my Pax also had a pretty good time besides the adverse conditions we were in. In dry it would have been much faster, even more fun and way safer. When we hit the bottom, we got spilled on to the rock garden trail which was part of the race course. Everything was a flowing water now and the thunder was hitting left and right. It was really scary and there was no safe place here being surrounded but zillions of trees and riding in the deep standing water, so the only goal was now to just get out of here. When we finally spilled out to the open road it was completely white, the rain was so thick and was going sideways, the whole forest flooded in this very short amount of time. We jetted under one of the pavilions and waited there for Jim to pick us up while the lightning just kept swirling all around us…<br />
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It was another of ours little dangerous adventures but I felt like it was very refreshing and bonding at the same time. I’m very happy we got to do it together and create this thrilling and amazing memories…<br />
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Huge Thanks to all my sponsors and new ones for 2017<br />
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<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a> and for 2017 - <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/" target="_blank">Trek </a>and <a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/" target="_blank">CeramicSpeed</a>Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-642235222801247762017-05-25T11:13:00.004-04:002017-06-08T13:31:04.517-04:002017 Mountain Biking Marathon Nationals - Racing with the Pro's<br />
MTB Marathon Nationals, Arkansas<br />
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Equipment used / Products used: <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/procaliber/procaliber-9-9-sl-race-shop-limited/p/2080600-2017/" target="_blank">2017 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL</a>
from <a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes Miami</a> with a <a href="https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/eagle" target="_blank">1x12 SRAM Eagle</a> setup. <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-accessories/bike-helmets/bontrager-velocis-road-bike-helmet/p/11627/?colorCode=white_red" target="_blank">Bontrager Velocis Helmet</a>, <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/apparel/cycling-apparel/cycling-shoes/bontrager-xxx-mtb-limited-edition-womens-shoe/p/14804/?colorCode=bluelight" target="_blank">Bontrager XXX MTB Limited Edition Women's Shoe’s</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa-shop.com/" target="_blank">Magura MT8 Brakes</a>, <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-handlebars/bontrager-xxx-carbon-mtb-bar/p/12534/?colorCode=black" target="_blank">Bontrager XXX Handlebars</a>, <a href="http://www.syntace.com/index.cfm?pid=3&pk=2623" target="_blank">Syntace FlatForce Stem</a>, <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/equipment/cycling-components/bike-seatposts/bontrager-xxx-seatpost/p/12559/?colorCode=black" target="_blank">Bontrager XXX Seatpost</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/en/saddles/professional/composit.html" target="_blank">SelleSMP Composit Saddle</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/products/pedals/mtb/83/m-force-8-ti" target="_blank">Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti</a>, <a href="https://www.notubes.com/valor-pro-wheelset-neo" target="_blank">NoTubes Valor Carbon wheels – 27.5</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires" target="_blank">Schwalbe Rocket Ron's and Racing Ralph's</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">SquirtLube Chain lube</a>, <a href="https://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge Garmin Mount</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor InPower Crank, Rotor QX1 34t Chainring</a>, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/sport/product.aspx?catalog=24&category=BottomBrackets&product=712&sku=PF4130" target="_blank">CeramicSpeed 4130 Bottom Bracket w/ Coating</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/products/hitch/nvtm-2-0/" target="_blank">Kuat NV 2 Bike Rack</a>,
<a href="https://www.seasucker.com/products/talon" target="_blank">Seasucker Talon</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/products/clif/shot-energy-gel?gclid=CI7LoqrAldQCFYpahgodG8kHGA" target="_blank">Clif Shot Gels</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/en/mens/sunglasses/prizm-sunglasses/category/m0201" target="_blank">Oakley Radar Sunglasses with Prizm lenses</a> and
<a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/content/" target="_blank">Garden of Life nutrition Every Day of my Life</a>... I also train with <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">TrainerRoad</a> every day at home with my <a href="https://www.cycleops.com/" target="_blank">Cycleops Trainer</a>. My husband tracks me during the
race with <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>.<br />
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Right now, we are on our flight back home form a very joyful trip to Iron Mountain in Arkansas. <br />
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Racing the endurance events nowadays is my favorite form of racing so I was very excited to come back to this very beautiful site. Gorgeous forests, creeks, massive lakes and some mountainous terrain all around. It’s very peaceful and green here and I have to say I didn’t see that many stars in the night sky for a long time. The trail system is so joyful, it’s completely never ending single track with continuous roller coaster like riding. The fun keeps on continuing and fast descents and swoopy turns make up for the little climbing that has to be done. To be honest you hardly can feel that you are actually climbing since there is not much of continuous and sustained climbs, all of the uphills are a matter of seconds and welcome you with another roller and some nice rest for the legs. The descents however are super flowy, filled with rocks and small rock gardens and little creek crossings and are totally amazing. I had lots of smiles on my face and did throw around some whippies, even during the race. One, and still quite tiny rock garden but most obvious of all but a massive smile on my face. That’s definitely an awesome place not only to race but also to just ride for pure pleasure. It’s good to hear that race director Fred is focused to add even more miles for the next year’s race here so our laps can be even longer. I’m sure we are all going to feel it in our legs and spines but that’s the price for a good time. So, let’s hope that they can accomplish that.<br />
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Our travel to the race this year was pretty tough. After a long day at work we flew and then drove, to arrive in Arkansas in the early morning hours, at 5am local, 6 am home time to be exact. That was a lot of sleepless time and we got only 3.5 hours of sleep and had to get up to arrive on the race course at a decent time for our preride.<br />
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Besides the fatigue we managed to have a really brilliant time. There were moments when my tiredness was kicking in and my focus was drifting away but most of the ride I really experienced nothing more than happiness of being here once again and just simply love riding my bike in a different place. <br />
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I knew this course quite well since I raced here last year in an off-road triathlon but the amount of rocks on the course for sure surprised me and I realized quickly how much I forgot from last year. <br />
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It was raining the night before our arrival, therefore the mountain was still draining and there were some solid potholes and mudfest sections scattered along the course. From what I heard, lots of people managed to slather that, “out the front door” style training into the mud bath. The more riders went through the clear standing water at first the more it became a brown dirty mass and whatever was hiding below the deeper puddles was unknown.<br />
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I was happy to see a lot of strong Floridian racers make it all the way here and I know how much work and dedication it takes not only in the preparations for such a race but also all the arrangements to get here. One way or the other we all got here and I was glad to see familiar faces and spend some quality time together and share some laughs.<br />
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Race Time.<br />
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All and all I did come here to race, and not at any other but in National Championships. It was a known fact for me that I will be here for sure, the class that I was going to race however was something that was pondering my mind for a while. I felt that after finally achieving my goal last year and winning the National title as an amateur and owning this so sought-after stars and stripes jersey it was time for something new. Owning another title and another jersey would be for sure also really good and quite incredible but racing in the Pro/Open class was for sure very tempting. Stepping up and racing with the best in the country and standing on the line with Rose Grant who won the Pro title already 4 times in a row and was after her 5th one was pretty incredible.<br />
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Even though I knew that some of the women will be on a completely different playing field, I still wanted to see how I would end up against the best.<br />
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The start was at 8 am, right after the Pro Men. We had a mere 5 minutes to our start and were taking off from the paved parking lot right off the lake edge. It was pretty nice to be called up and make the first row of racers. It was funny when I finally pulled to my start spot the race director Fred welcomed me and we exchanged “Hey, Beata”, “Hey Fred”. The minutes and seconds were counted off, I started my timer and 30 seconds later we were off. I didn’t get that far and right off the paved turn there was a crash to my right. I had no idea how many people went down and how bad was it. Apparently, it was a one rider that crashed. Instantly we went to the climb and the whole group was all together. We were climbing hard but it seemed like everyone was looking at each other and pushing strong but still not fighting that much for position. It was this waiting and observing game, it was cool to be part of it and also watch. Rose was already in the lead and I tried to stay close, just two people off to her left. The whole group stayed that way until we got to the top of the highway and this is when the crazy started to happen.<br />
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Pace picked up even more, people were flying down full speed and it became quite chaotic. I was out of gears but still staying with them all, at one point with the speeds reaching 38 mph, a girl in front of me jammed on both brakes and skidded like crazy a few times left and right. After seeing the crash, just a minute earlier, I was for sure not looking forward to be part of the next one at full speed on the asphalt.<br />
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I moved as quickly as I could away. I did not care anymore about drafting and saving my energy. I knew the race is not going to be won here but can be lost very quickly. Things improved after the next right turn but the speed was still very strong and everyone was fighting for a spot, we were going back and forth tiring each other out. And then comes the yellow gate. Probably my least favorite part of the race course, I don’t know why but this dirt double track that slightly slanted upwards gave me the most disappointment and I felt I was losing way too much time here. After this was a short section of a very rocky single track and some cool descending into the flat start/finish area which consisted of gravel double track. This is where the main feed zone was located as well was the beginning of the true race course. Instantly we were turning into an upward facing single track and later a super fun descent into the below dam section. I was not happy at that moment where I was and how the race was unfolding. Not that many miles later the fast age group men started catching up and even though they were super courteous and polite I felt I could not just get down and dirty and race to my potential. I was constantly occupied with making sure that the next upcoming person is going to make a safe pass.<br />
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That was pretty much my whole first lap. I was glad to see my Pax at the 1st feed zone while going into, I guess, voted by almost everyone, the most fun section of the course. He told me I was in 12th position and stayed very composed and calm and really kept like that throughout the whole race. I didn’t know if that was good or a bad thing, I was expecting him to be more excited. Not that much later I had another male rider approaching and asking for a pass. He told me you have a female chasing you and I asked how far, and he replied instantly “she is right here”. That was a bummer. He made a pass and a girl seemed to want to sneak by me at the same time as he did. She rode with me for little longer and managed to pass on a little wider climb, I let her go and stayed with her for as long as I could. But one thing came to another and more men showed up, quite a few my Floridian racers. Sadly, two of those passes cost me getting some branches in my back wheel and one bigger one that really was aiming for my derailleur. I had to stop and pull it out of my bike. I was riding smooth but kept getting interrupted, now it was time to climb out to the top of the mountain and get into the fun and bumpy descent.<br />
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This time I started getting some metallic clicking noise from the front of my bike and could not figure out what was wrong. I never heard that before and the section of the course that I was on required some serious speed and bombing down the rocks and having concern that something might be wrong and possibly loose in my headset was making me quite worried. I had to spend the next few miles riding rather safe instead of attacking. I knew I will be doing a pit stop after the lap end for sure. So, I managed to get to under the dam section and to the last miles with a little creek crossing, final jeep road climb and rocky single track. The noise seemed to disappear but when I stopped in the main feed zone to refill my camelback I had my, best in the world, personal mechanic check out my bike and tighten up the headset. Even though I was wasting some time in the transition, it was the beginning of good things to take place. Pax looked at me and said two girls are right there with you and I looked ahead and the second one just pulled out of the feed zone into the second lap and initial climb. I could not see anyone else at that time. I looked up and saw her slowly disappear going up the whiny trail. I knew she was mine. Less than a minute went by and I was right on her wheel, I didn’t wait long to find some room in the sharp turns and pick the longer and tougher line on the outside over some rocks and passed right above her. It took some energy but I could not care I was a totally different person now. I felt like my race had just begun.<br />
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The focus, drive, determination and excitement entered my body and I started searching for the other girls ahead. I barely got to the top and she was right there. I got on her wheel really quickly and was already looking for a spot to pass. I really wanted to get before her into the descent but there was not enough time. Bunch of rocks and mud holes started showing up on our path. She cleared the biggest mud bath and when I slid through it, a chunk of mud flew somehow from under my glasses straight into my eye. For a minute or so I hardly could see from one eye and felt like I had a pound of sand in it. This did delay my pass a little but shortly I was able to speed up again. Once again, I was on her wheel and when I had the first opportunity I made a clear pass. I was flying down now into the fun descent under the dam once again. It was another roller coaster that felt so good and so enjoyable and I was charging so hard that I could see slowly gaining ground and losing the rider. She managed however to get closer to me on a little climb before the end of this trail section. One more descent and I had my distance once more. I was not going to slow down, there was not catching me, I kept on pushing and speeding up. The worst part was ahead of me now and I had also two guys here which I really wanted to get by and get to the single track before them. I didn’t have enough time again and had to settle for small bit. Some two minutes later I was ready for a pass.<br />
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This part did hurt and I knew it was going to. I felt warm now and the climb seemed to be never ending with some steeper pitches that I had to balance not only myself and my bike but also the riders around me who were going at the same time for the same lines. Things become more difficult the more tired you are but I managed through all no matter how tough it was. On one little mud/water crossing suddenly I spotted the guy standing in the middle holding a giant rock upwards and saying something. He pretty much said he picked everyone’s line over the rock and held it in his hands, I had to go through the deep mud. He yelled to me “you will be fine, there is a hole”. Apparently, there was a massive hole where I was intended to go and lots of people flipped already there, so he actually saved me from a possible crash. Now I got to the flat rock garden section which I really dislike and a second after crossing the road to the fun and tricky descent where everyone tries not to slash their tires in the turns. This is where caught up to the girl who passed me some 2-3 miles from here on the first lap. I was chasing her with full focus and caught up in no time.<br />
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I could see she was fast in descents but was slowing down on the climbs. And this is what this whole section was all about, constant up and downs with no end in sight. Each time we went up for a few seconds I was on her wheel, then she picked up the speed again, mile or two went by and I was still looking for an opportunity. I finally saw it, the little more constant and longer climb was just ahead and it was my only chance, I charged, moved to her left and went around. Right before the feed zone 3 I was ahead. I went into the single track and knew I have to be smooth here, this is the exact spot where the girl just behind me now passed me so I was aware that she can ride this section fast. I stayed focused, smooth and didn’t want to make mistakes but also had to keep on charging. It was funny when I got to a little rocky uphill which I was not sure if would cause me trouble when I’m tired or not but I cleared is so nicely with no problems, I smiled after I told myself “like a Pro” ha ha.<br />
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Coming back to the little climbing section was not so bad and I made some passes on the tired guys ahead and I felt I did have a nice gap in between us. Now it was all about the fun and ultra-bumpy descending and mini rock gardens that always put a smile on my face. Wish there was even more challenging things on the course but this is what we got so I enjoyed what the trails had to offer. I could not complain because the smallest descents felt like little miracles for someone who for the most of the time rides in rather flat Florida. I remember having one of the riders that I passed just glue himself to my back wheel and he had been tracking me for the longest time. Thankfully he just sat there for the ride and never caused an issue. When I did come down the mountain into the paved road below the dam it seemed that I didn’t have any women in sight behind me and I knew for fact that the girls who were at that point a few minutes ahead were simply not catchable in those final few miles. Therefore, I stayed smooth and even though I wanted to have a decent time I was really about just enjoying the rest of the ride and hold my position. Entering into the last single track from the road is always fun since some cool and young volunteers were there and they always have some energy filled cheers waiting for me. After that little stream crossing, small climb, the dreaded yellow gate dirt road upwards and the bumpy rocky trail.<br />
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Few glimpses back in the open areas and still I was in good standings, one final fast descent and I got spilled out into the gravel path that led me to the finish line. I had my Pax waiting on me there already. It was hot already and the area was already filling up slowly with finishers. This was a relatively long race but went by pretty fast. The food afterwards was really good actually and it was good to catch up and talk with my fellow Pro class racers and simply get to know them. Some brave ladies were battling it out today and it was really sweet to take part of it and finish pretty well. I watched the amateur awards and looked down on the medals and another championship jersey which belonged to me once again, but I was content and satisfied with my decision. Now I think I have a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses and where I stand. I think if I decide to race in the Pro class again I will come in with a little different mindset and even more focused approach and I can possibly pull an even better result.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Li3fO6BnXrUnTis9cfWI127J34CYwssOBgZTog-y5UHDr574d6UHRtU8WulQb7r9-x1-2zQdDW0fX2ouXWJvXiBYoH51GO2eU4aYBJC4XltncTpy3bkF5DzqUd0uZSNxfXZMY4vKfKY/s1600/_BDW1589.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Li3fO6BnXrUnTis9cfWI127J34CYwssOBgZTog-y5UHDr574d6UHRtU8WulQb7r9-x1-2zQdDW0fX2ouXWJvXiBYoH51GO2eU4aYBJC4XltncTpy3bkF5DzqUd0uZSNxfXZMY4vKfKY/s400/_BDW1589.jpg" width="265" /></a> <br />
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I had great time catching up after the race with Rose Grant who once again won the Pro race and showed that even when dealing with adversity and injuries she can still pull through and race to the top step. Very inspiring. I have to mention that It was a blast also hanging throughout this trip with my fellow Floridians, from Tania who kept us company, to Jonathan who rode with us both days and brought lots of smiles on our faces with his fun personality and positive attitude. We ended up having a great time with the fastest guys from Florida at lunch and dinner time and it was really a great thing to do to just have fun together.<br />
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We stayed a day longer after race therefore we had a little quiet time to ourselves the evening after the race. I could not resist to get out once more to the beautiful DeGray lake and watch another wonderful day slip away. We sat in quiet watching the sun set and it was the most peaceful moment of the trip. I will be happy to return back to Iron Mountain again…<br />
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Big props to race director Fred who did a really good job putting this event together.<br />
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Next year they are hoping to add a few extra miles to the trail system to make the event slightly longer and even more challenging.<br />
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Thanks goes to my Pax for the best support ever and to all my sponsors below.<br />
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<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a> and for 2017 - <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/" target="_blank">Trek </a>and <a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/" target="_blank">CeramicSpeed</a> <br />
<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-2074000170240345072017-03-13T19:54:00.001-04:002017-04-18T14:46:50.415-04:00Reflection on the 2016 Season and Plans on what comes next... <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
2016 was a pretty interesting season and it unfolded to be
one of the best yet as far as biking goes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At first however the plans were completely different,
therefore there were moments of split roads and I had to decide where I wanted
to go.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It started with the strong belief that it should be my year
for XTERRA racing. Quickly I hired the best coach out there and was finally set
to do things right. Until that moment I was a self-coached athlete and was
wondering if there were possibly things out there that I was missing out on and
felt the structure and knowledge of the coach would help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we know I have been for the past 9 years just torn apart
between mountain biking and off road triathlon. My love for both kept me
reaching to both buckets but the way one could never be completely full. It was
this painful tradeoff which still keeps on going when it’s tough for me to
commit to be a full-time triathlete since I love biking so much, but also so
difficult to be a full-time biker since there are those raw elements in the off-road
triathlon that makes me want more. The feeling of racing your bike after an exhausting
swim when you are still dripping in water, doing a full bike race and still
getting on the really down and dirty run just brings those most primal elements
and feelings that it is so difficult to let go of that. Plus, being in two
sports eats so much more energy, we all know triathlon training is just plain exhausting.
And when my biking friends hop on the bike 6 times a week or more I hope to get
soreness out of my legs and tiredness after my swim out of my body so I can
find some energy for the bike workout. The body simply gets drained and you
cannot accomplish everything, it’s one or the other.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I did it, I said I’m committing, I started training like
a triathlete for first time in my life under professional watch. I swam as much
as usual just in a different structure, but I ran so much more than I could
have imagined, I noticed improvements pretty quickly but it was all at a high
cost. My feet were hurting and my body was really tired, my biking time was
reduced greatly to the point of me riding half of what I used to. I never felt stronger
on my run before but I had no energy for any quality bike workouts. I noticed
how quickly and badly it was sliding. The most bellowed discipline of mine
started sliding in between my fingers and vanishing in front of my eyes… I was
sad and knew I cannot do this for long, my stubbornness set me on the goal that
I had in my mind for the longest time but my heart was telling me otherwise.
That my hopes for committing myself fully to biking were always pushed back for
one more and another season. This way months and years went by. I started
realizing that my dreams of biking more and what I want from this sport might
never happen of me pushing it away from myself further and further. Every time
I had to make this decision it hurt me more and more. And every time I tried to
accomplish what I wanted in triathlon, I was a little closer but still not
close enough. I wonder if am I going to sacrifice what I really love for what
stubborn mind wants to finish and will not stop until it happens? Six months
into the triathlon training did come a reality check for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXUgUCnuJHyZQcosG-LTPYNzIB17nYx83h-BRwjHFlRLrour3QCeBxe_MifaTFBbINGy-t6kXsgLVnBLRP2Q15P6sztDv-uvjPY6ZP_0hVsFrESGSA7K02zevg4WlUt-mOR858OtOSNE/s1600/_BDW9859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXUgUCnuJHyZQcosG-LTPYNzIB17nYx83h-BRwjHFlRLrour3QCeBxe_MifaTFBbINGy-t6kXsgLVnBLRP2Q15P6sztDv-uvjPY6ZP_0hVsFrESGSA7K02zevg4WlUt-mOR858OtOSNE/s640/_BDW9859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After speaking to some of my friends and my husband we had
to make the painful decision to where we go from there. All of the sudden I
decided I didn’t want to run that much anymore and wanted to feel again how
awesome it is to be a biker, even if for a short little while. It was already
June. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
From whatever I had in me from the
training this year had to be enough for me to compete in the matter of days in
the Marathon Mountain Bike Nationals in Georgia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKylA02WevUGLqu6yZguvIW6wTDTmTRe4_FGPDy_0tTjLElDeN7QGneGsPeFZPi3gBoQUBqNxUdP-AL122MLBZxHmpp10nNDPEkKiBSsLoeJWnQ3RPmftcPDg6e2sgEEDK5F40kLTYtow/s1600/_BDW0111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKylA02WevUGLqu6yZguvIW6wTDTmTRe4_FGPDy_0tTjLElDeN7QGneGsPeFZPi3gBoQUBqNxUdP-AL122MLBZxHmpp10nNDPEkKiBSsLoeJWnQ3RPmftcPDg6e2sgEEDK5F40kLTYtow/s640/_BDW0111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
I was set for a win even though my
preparations were not there. Missing first place after my incredible and exciting
race last year was a big void that I had to fill this year. After leading for
47 miles I ended up placing 2<sup>nd</sup>, it did sting and I knew I will be
even more focused this time. Racing that long is more about how you attack it
mentally than physically, plus my triathlon training I feel gives me endurance
and this mental strength that is much needed for longer events. I started hard
and never gave up. I battled and held my lead for most of the race and finally
got my first even stars and stripes jersey in a mountain biking event. It was
awesome and I realized how happy this made me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOu7y_4KilLtAVqa4so-LAvMkg77NDbeOD6egJDtXLOM19-0v-42rv6imJr0hDTeqZHg8IDrnmzMgyc5S8CHp905fT0p2eo7IuvTX3ALaEj3rgu2td4q9M_B3V0WIa0-hw5rsm4AlfbY/s1600/_BDW0147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOu7y_4KilLtAVqa4so-LAvMkg77NDbeOD6egJDtXLOM19-0v-42rv6imJr0hDTeqZHg8IDrnmzMgyc5S8CHp905fT0p2eo7IuvTX3ALaEj3rgu2td4q9M_B3V0WIa0-hw5rsm4AlfbY/s640/_BDW0147.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
Few weeks later the calendar
showed the Cross-Country Nationals this time all the way in Mammoth,
California. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
I was very skeptical and lots of
riders advised me not to bother because of altitude. Everyone who went there
last year had some kind of mishap and didn’t race well, most decided not to
come back. At first I was not planning for it but after speaking with my
husband and feeling that I might have a good chance even with the fact the race
was at altitude we decided to go. I had a few weeks to focus on the bike
training only and it felt awesome, in the matter of four weeks I was able to
progress so much. I was quickly not only becoming the same rider I used to be
but even better. Finally, I was able to complete workouts I could not touch on
my triathlon plan and I was bumping up my levels and feeling so good. I could
not imagine how amazing it would have been if I did that all the time, like my
biking only competition does. I so wanted to be just a biker. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
We flew to California, had a brilliant
time and I raced really well. The thin air for sure slowed me down and took so
much out of me especially on the long climbs. I had a strong group and was
happy I did so well among strong riders. I ended up second to an Xterra Pro who
lives at altitude. What an amazing coincidence and amazing athlete to race
against, I was happy I beat another pro biker who placed 3<sup>rd</sup>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAYZaZt6lB-1wewmUOlLjBk_S6tF40bLvMfB1UDudZi1opneE8uyqq0Vui4WKJ31wHYzmmSBUBCDCHOtWBSU7opmkd3jv99O4bDAAa74pYaM_LMHLth4LIhw5wfLjc8rOc80zXTxipOY/s1600/13680410_569920953188904_416508535472076515_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAYZaZt6lB-1wewmUOlLjBk_S6tF40bLvMfB1UDudZi1opneE8uyqq0Vui4WKJ31wHYzmmSBUBCDCHOtWBSU7opmkd3jv99O4bDAAa74pYaM_LMHLth4LIhw5wfLjc8rOc80zXTxipOY/s640/13680410_569920953188904_416508535472076515_o.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 136.2pt;">
So, next on the list were Worlds.
It didn’t even cross my mind earlier that I would be actually seriously
entertaining the idea to do so and go to Val Di Sole, Italy to race, but, I was
already on a pretty good streak, training finally was going well and I had
another few weeks for another training block. We decided to go, the training
went well and my body adapted so quickly once again with even more gains.<br />
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I ended up racing in Italy against
the best people in the world, Italian National Champions and 2-time Olympic
medalists and 3-time World Champions. It was pretty insane to have an
opportunity to do so. The race course was something else, nothing we race here
locally. Short but super hard laps, it was the biggest effort I ever gave in
the shortest race I ever did. It was so much pain and so much beauty in the
whole experience. The most emotional award ceremony for my 4<sup>th</sup> place
finish. Something for sure to remember and be very grateful for. It was sad to
come home so quickly and Italy was something we will keep in our hearts for a
long time.<br />
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I had nothing else planned now and
felt pretty accomplished. Out of no were the idea came out to go for the
endurance bike race to defend the Open Women title from last year for Fool’s
Gold. I was too tired for it since it was just a week after Italy and I didn’t
feel ready. I still managed a decent race and place 3<sup>rd</sup>.<br />
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Now I was completely done. After a
little rest, I wanted to jump in to some local races of our Florida State
Series and I for sure did. But something was really off, my mind and body were
so tired that I had no desire or energy to race. For some two weeks or so my
universe turned dark, it was so gloomy that I didn’t know what to make out of
it. Those were the hardest two weeks in my whole year. I had no idea what I
wanted next, and at that moment I really wanted nothing, I felt empty. Thinking
ahead and wondering about the next season was even worse since I felt this
season although so successful was a big mismatch and energy was put in all the
wrong places. How I did get out all of it on top I don’t know but for sure I am
grateful. </div>
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I ended up getting out more and
more to my local races and especially those in my favorite parks since I felt
like I wanted to be there and experience riding there and also wanted to see
all my friends. It started really rough and it was more of the riding than
racing but I kept at it. Eventually completely unplanned, unprepared and
uncalled for I ended up finishing the whole series. But it was a good thing, it
kept me busy, kept me riding and did clear somewhat my mind. </div>
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Now I was becoming myself again
and could see what I wanted from the new 2017 season better. Interestingly
enough the same dilemma popped instantly. Am I going to be a biker or a
triathlete this year? Am I going to pick the wrong discipline and regret once
more that I didn’t chose the other? Where do I go from now to achieve all I
want without sacrificing what I love? It seemed tricky at first but with time
it become more and more clear of what I wanted. I knew that I was still not
ready to clear my mind off the triathlon goals but also, I was not going to
sacrifice my biking for it too. I was really happy with the decision and now
I’m trying to once again to live with it. It’s never easy but it is so
difficult in life to accomplish all one wants. </div>
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Even though my 2016 season was
completely divided in two different halves I am really happy to what I turned
into and very grateful for the results and experiences that brought to me… </div>
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Mountain Bike Marathon Nationals - National
Champion </div>
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XC Nationals - Runner Up</div>
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XC Worlds in Val DI Sole, Italy – 4<sup>th</sup></div>
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Huge Thanks to all my sponsors and new ones for 2017<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a>, <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a> and for 2017 - <a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/" target="_blank">Trek </a>and <a href="http://www.ceramicspeed.com/" target="_blank">CeramicSpeed</a><br />
<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-91604474294131261012016-09-20T23:59:00.000-04:002017-02-04T00:17:56.754-05:00Fool's Gold - Last race of the 2016 NUE series<br />
3rd Place Open<br />
<br />
Fool's Gold National Ultra Endurance Race 3rd Place Open Women - culmination of the long and demanding day! The course was tough, rocky and unpredictable at times but thankfully I was able to sail through it to the podium finish. It was a pleasure to see so many Floridians making the long trip up here and tackle such an unusual for us terrain. Great job to everyone for finishing strong and in one piece such a challenging race!<br />
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So 62 miles later, 5:42 hours of riding and 7 thousand feet of climbing I am covered all over with dust but happy to say, I am finally done! <br />
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Read about the race at: <br />
<a href="http://www.mtbracenews.com/news/fools-gold-60-nue-marathon-finale" target="_blank">http://www.mtbracenews.com/news/fools-gold-60-nue-marathon-finale</a><br />
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This was not my first take at the NUE Series Fool’s Gold race since I had an
opportunity to race it a year ago and was fortunate enough to take the win. I was
looking forward to coming back on this challenging course and have some fun. Making
a drive all the way from South Florida makes for quite a trip but myself as
well as other Floridians find it well worth it.</div>
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Just two weeks ago I raced in Val Di Sole, Italy in the Cross
Country Masters World Championship where I can proudly say I podiumed and
shared the stage with an Olympic medalist and 3-time World Champion and other top
European riders. I felt already accomplished but realized that this endurance event
would be a good aid to clear my mind and enjoy the quite different scenery to
our local bike scene as well as a good moment to finish my season on a good
note.</div>
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The race site here was beautiful and mountains awaiting were
rough, especially the first and last section.</div>
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The truly off-road part of the course was pretty
spectacular, especially the flowy single track and super tough and fun Bull
Mountain. I had a wonderful time riding those sections and tackling the small
creeks, steep uphill’s filled with roots which were so tough that only strong riders
could make it all the way up, as well as having a blast on the super-fast and technical
downhills. It was all so enjoyable that often I was forgetting that I was actually
racing. There were times where I was battling my competition and swapping spots
but also times when I felt like I was on my own in the whole forest and could
hear only the trickling of water, rustling of leaves and my own breath.</div>
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I don’t think I will ever forget how I felt on the final
rocky descent coming back to the finish line. The descent was so loose, rocky
and bumpy that I experienced at the same time pain and almost complete numbness
in my hands and feet. For sure my body was not used to descends like this and
it made it more of a challenge for me than anything else. Coasting to the
finish line after that was quite elevating and I had a brilliant time going
back and forth with a few male riders and giving one rider a sprint finish which
made if fun for both of us as well as spectators. Finishing third and still
placing on the podium this year leaves me completely content and satisfied,
especially knowing how deep and stacked with the talented riders the field was.
Now I just wish we had more races like this closer to home. I hope one day I will
be able to focus solely on endurance racing and hopefully compete for the overall
NUE series points.</div>
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Huge thanks to my sponsors:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a> and <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a> </div>
<br /></div>
Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com1Ellijay, GA 30540, USA34.6948076 -84.482149834.6425816 -84.5628308 34.747033599999995 -84.4014688tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-90523560786428532692016-09-05T10:40:00.003-04:002017-02-04T00:18:06.540-05:00UCI Mountain Bike World Championships - Val Di Sole - Trentino, Italy <br />
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships<br />
4th Place<br />
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<br />
Val Di Sole<br />
<br />
The most important race in my whole biking career so far. What an honor and an excitement to take a trip all the way to Italy for a biking event. When I started biking and racing I did it for pure joy of being on my bike and overcoming challenges and obstacles that for us mountain bikers are all the time in our way as well as on our path. But all of it grew and grew, I kept wanting to ride more, to be better, to be faster, to be one of the best, to be unafraid of almost anything. I also enjoyed challenging myself, setting goals and working on accomplishing them. With time I wanted to go to and win bigger races. How a little girl gets from local bike circuit to the stage of a world class race I just don't know. Lots of passion, loads of stubbornness and a lot of hard work filled with good and bad days. One way or the other we flew across the globe for my dream race!<br />
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At this very moment we are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with still over 6 hours to go and some 3200 miles. The path that our plane is taking is not the usual one; usually you would fly to and from Europe up high near Iceland and Greenland, this time we are going way lower than that and straight across the middle of the ocean. The storm passing through Florida in our absence made its way up here and that’s why our route had been modified. It was the worst part of it all and the plane would be jumping in the air for hours, I knew I had to suffer through this to get where I needed to get. Sadly teleportation is not in order yet for us, but if it was I would be one of the first in line...<br />
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But the trip begun a whole week ago with relatively much more peaceful travel to Venice and then a scenic drive of about 3.5 hours though the beautiful Dolomite mountains to Val Di Sole. By the time we arrived in the hotel up in the mountains it started to rain. It was already around 5 o clock and we were up with pretty much no sleep at all for some 26 hours. I had best intentions despite my exhaustion to get out on the course just to see what was there, but we were quite some time away and still would have to put my bike back together. The pre-ride was simply not happening. We took a nice walk through the rainy streets of the skiing village in Maddonna Di Campiglio and grabbed something to eat. We were more than ready to simply collapse.<br />
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The practice the following day was starting already at 10 am and I knew I had to go get my race number and get out on the course as soon as I can. The time slot was for two hours and I didn’t think I would be there for that long either way but like everything in life, nothing is ever just as we imagine or plan for.<br />
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I was excited to see the course but right from the first look the side of the mountain looked just ridiculously steep. It was not the California nice and round rolling hill, it was this cone shaped straight up and down kind of look.<br />
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The beginning of this 3-mile-long loop was on the grassy open field at the foot of the mountain, in a matter of 0.45 miles it took me straight to the wet double track climb. It would start more mellow and keep getting steeper and steeper as it progressed. Along the course there were many volunteers signaling with a whistle when the rider would go by. I passed by already, 2, 3 and the climb just kept on going. Each time you look up, it just looked steeper and there is no end. Far far above there is another volunteer but by the time you get there you quickly realize that the climb kept on going. The final portion of this climb was just plain brutal, the pain from pushing for so long and so hard up this mountain cannot be described. I wanted to get off so badly quite a few times, I was sitting on the tippy end of my SelleSMP saddle, leaning forward s much as I could, cranking my smallest 28 Rotor Q-Ring at some 49-55 rpm’s and was just trying not to faint from the effort. The was no "easy way" unfortunately to pre-ride this course.Video of the course below.<br />
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It was not fun and at the top there was no reward, not even a foot of a flat surface, the trail instantly aims down into a little narrow on the side of the mountain path. It was filled with little loose wet rocks and mud. Riding it down was tricky. Than it went straight back up to the next small climb which by surprise leveled out for a little while and led us to the waterfall section. It was full of rocks and twisty climbs; it would be extremely tough when dry if even possible but definitely not rideable now when wet. It was quite nice up there and after crossing the fall the single track pointed straight down to the steepest downhill I ever got to ride.<br />
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I didn’t even know when to start gathering my thoughts when I saw it. The lower it went the steeper it got and rockier. It was big, scary, slimy slime that would end up consuming my whole day.<br />
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I ended up doing this brutal loop three times over. On my second one I felt like I spent there the whole day, trying again and again the same section, each time sliding down a few feet further. Sometimes it worked and others it didn’t. It was an exhausting process considering how steep the slope was to get back up again. On the last lap I crashed pretty hard, bruising my tail bone and looking on the back side like I was attacked by a Bengal Tiger. That’s right, not any other Tiger but a Bengal Tiger! I was completely fed up at that point and called it a day. It was unfortunate that I didn’t get an opportunity to practice on this course in better conditions like some of the girls I spoke to did.<br />
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The next day the sun came out and the guys had a great course to race on, it was really exciting to watch. Funny we got winded walking by foot to the downhill section on the side of the track with little wooden stepping spots placed. It was a really tough hike. I felt today completely beat and sore; most likely from my fall and also from riding too much, this course just used up entirely the whole freshness from my legs it was so brutal. I had no idea how I was going to recover for the following day. I just had one day to my race...<br />
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Besides the not so good weather predictions there was this beautiful blue sky on the race morning, that was really a good thing... Soon after arriving on the race course however I learned that it did rain here overnight. So the track was not as bad as it was on Tuesday but for sure not as good as yesterday.<br />
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Thursday, September 1st is the happening day. I tried to relax and just get to my pre-race routine and ignore the fact that I was going to race in my first world class event in mountain biking. There was no time also to worry about how my legs felt and how little sleep I got the night before. I was going on a little less than 3 hours of sleep as I was so stressed out the night before it. It was less of the course itself, which was really technically tough but even more how much pain I will need to endure. There was no skipping that in that event for sure. But now it was go time and I had to put all of it behind. Just getting on my bike and beginning my warm up I started feeling instantly better. It is the anticipation that is the worst. The knowledge that it was going to hurt really bad and also all the unknown. We rolled to the start line and I was called up 5th; the first four were the ladies who raced last year in Vallnord and the first to go to the line was no one less than Marga Fullana herself, the Olympic Silver medalist and 3-time World Champion, one of the times on exactly same course! It was quite insane but I just rolled in like I belonged there.<br />
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When I learned at home who I was going to race I could not believe. I was expecting regular people who work 9 hours a day and bike whenever they can, just like me. But I ended up having to race with one of best riders from Europe and best in the World. I found it pretty exciting actually more than intimidating and though it would be an amazing chance to have a real life test to see where I stand. <br />
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The position position I had in the first raw was not the best but it will have to do. In a minute time we were off.<br />
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I pushed through the grassy field having all those incredible riders on my right and in a matter of few seconds I was making ground and found my way around most and onto the smooth path. I was in second now after one Italian rider, Marga was just a little back behind to the side. There was just one bridge, two turns and we were on the bottom of the grueling climb.<br />
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I got passed by two riders and was thinking it would be the end of me seeing them, but I didn’t give up. To my surprise I managed to hang in there with the lead group and was cranking in misery and pain somehow toward the top. Now everyone was in line and I was sitting on Marga’s wheel. I was shocked a little I was doing so well again in such a tough group of women but at the same time I can’t remember a time when I was in such amount of pain last. My system was maxed out, my breathing, my heart rate, my gears, the tip of my saddle, the power left in my legs. If I could I would scream when I was in the final meters to reach the top, but I was too tired for that too. All I could do was to keep my head down and hide the pain and keep fighting and keep moving. It was so so so so hard…<br />
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My heart rate reached levels that high, that I was completely sure for many years now that my body is not capable any longer of taking me there. I think I didn’t see this heart rate for some 5-6 years if not more. It went beyond what I consider normal or my max effort. It all in theory should have stopped when we finally reached the top but the system is so fatigued at that moment that it’s so tough to recover in any way even when the trail is facing down. My group slowly started getting away from me and I could not keep my sight on them for much longer. It happened way too quickly. <br />
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I lost even more positions on the main downhill sections. I made it through and was happy to ride the spot on which I crashed two days back and made it safely down but I was concerned now. I didn’t know if I had any chance to catch up with my leading ladies. The lap went by in the blink of an eye, I could not believe we were doing 21-22 minute laps. When I pre-rode I thought 33 minutes was not bad. Goofy me, once again I didn't think I was capable of times like that. I also didn’t know how I’m going to make this climb two more times in a row at racing speed. It seemed totally impossible. Toward the top people started to get off their bikes, I biked as far as I could and I was making back some passes. Went down, up, waterfall, big deep breath and toward the three arrows pointing down. This time I didn’t make as far as last time I did go slightly off into a big rock and was off the bike. Now I got passed by my Swedish girl. This was getting really ridiculous and I tried stay near her when we were coming off the descent. On the flat section of the course there was a bridge with a huge Swedish cheering group and even bigger flag, I think they had like a 10 plus feet long across flag hanging off of it and were cheering her on. This is when I put on the gas and just moments later was able to make my pass. I tried to get away as far as I could and she would not challenge me much. Now I knew that the top 3 girls were gone and I was racing for 4th. It was going to be about all staying ahead on the climb and not losing that gap on the descent, then I knew I could pull it off. The third time up the mountain was getting slower, there was just as much one could give at that point, toward the top I had to get off and climb on foot my misery up. I was so shaky from the exertion that I was all over the place when the trail did head down. I crashed. I was trying to gather myself back up and on the bike but it was pretty hard. I knew I was losing a lot of time. I finally found some strength to start riding down, the whole ride now was so sketchy on the shook up body from all this effort.<br />
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I knew I had to just get through the waterfall and somehow down. Part of me wanted to take risks and ride the small section that I would skip each time, part of me wanted to be safe however and finish the race. That was really hard decision and it will bother me for a long time to come that I couldn’t ride it as well as I would wish for. Now it’s the time when my Swedish girl was getting close and I could hear her on the bottom of the descent on the loose gravel turn. This was my time to hit the gas once again, but now give everything I got because in just minutes’ time it was going to be all over. <br />
In an instant I started getting away really really fast, I made a huge amount of distance that felt pretty safe. But I still didn’t want to stop. I kept on pushing and now finally, probably fist time since we started enjoying the ride and biked to the finish in a safe 4th position. My Swedish rival told me later that she had nothing left to match my attack.<br />
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The first 3 ladies already gathered at the finish line and were getting all the media attention as the top three in a world event deserves. It was very inspiring to see that even though it is a Masters event, the most attention, appreciation and pride surrounds the efforts put so forth by the racers.<br />
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It was great to catch up at the finish with all the amazing ladies that raced on this crazy course, so many talented and driven women from all around the world. I had an opportunity to meet some of them on my practice ride as well as now when it was all over. Everyone had a story, the will and the desire.<br />
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They truly inspired me to keep on trying to accomplish more no matter what age. I met wonderful girls from Spain, Italy, Peru, Australia, Sweden and more…<br />
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To my surprise there was an award ceremony that would include me also, and it was the most beautiful, emotional, professional ceremony that I ever was part of, truly an honor.<br />
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Sharing the stage and the podium with mountain biking legends and one of the best in the world was simply incredible.<br />
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I loved looking down from the stage at my husband Pax and we both would just feel it in our eyes how incredible this moment was, we both had smiles on our faces and the teary eyes at the same time. All this work of so many years and always dreaming big brought me here to this stage.<br />
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It is something that will never be forgotten…<br />
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Val Di Sole is beautiful, food is amazing and the mountains are breathtaking. I loved the fresh air here, the high peaks up in the clouds, the wildflowers and the charming little streets and villages.<br />
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And the food, the most delicious breakfast and dinners, deserts that we ever had…<br />
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I am going to miss a lot because I love here so much… I wish I had more days to just spend some time on those quiet trails and in the high mountains, biking for leisure or just relaxing at the river edge.<br />
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The atmosphere here is something very special…<br />
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Every mile or so there is another little village with its own precious and original church tower, you can see them popping out everywhere as you go and once in a while there are unreal old castles hugging the mountain edge…<br />
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I loved those views so much and my eyes still can see all those images and I can feel like I'm still there. There is this mystical presence of old times stuck in those majestic mountains... <br />
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After leaving the mountains we drove back to Venice and spent a day there. What a sight. Pretty surreal views wherever you look. We walked the most we did in many years to make sure we see as much as possible. It was sad to leave but as much as we love adventures we also love coming back home to get inspired for whatever new is yet to come.<br />
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I’m so happy I got to share this beautiful journey and experience with my husband and I’m so grateful for all his support.<br />
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I didn’t forget when I was racing here of all those wonderful strong women back in Florida who contributed to everything I do whether they know it or not. As well as my friends who believe in me and felt it would be something I should do. Thank you for being incredible and thank you for positive words and wonderful friendships…<br />
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And last but not least, thank you to all my wonderful sponsors and supporters. You are also the driving force in what I do and a strong helping hand. I could not be more proud to represent some of the best companies in the world on my journey! Thank you so much!<br />
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<a href="http://www.citybikesonline.com/" target="_blank">City Bikes</a>, <a href="https://www.castelli-cycling.com/" target="_blank">Castelli</a>, <a href="http://www.magurausa.com/" target="_blank">Magura</a>, <a href="http://www.notubes.com/" target="_blank">Stan’s Notubes</a>, <a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/" target="_blank">Schwalbe</a>, <a href="https://www.trainerroad.com/" target="_blank">Trainer Road</a>, <a href="http://www.esigrips.com/" target="_blank">ESI Grips</a>, <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">Clif</a>, <a href="http://www.xpedo.com/" target="_blank">Xpedo</a>, <a href="https://www.gardenoflife.com/" target="_blank">Garden of Life</a>, <a href="http://kuatracks.com/" target="_blank">Kuat Racks</a>, <a href="http://www.lightandmotion.com/" target="_blank">Light & Motion</a>, <a href="http://www.evocsports.com/" target="_blank">EVOC</a>, <a href="http://www.oakley.com/" target="_blank">Oakley</a>, <a href="http://pocketfinder.com/" target="_blank">Pocketfinder</a>, <a href="http://kmcchain.us/" target="_blank">KMC Chains</a>, <a href="http://rotorbike.com/" target="_blank">Rotor Bike Components</a>, <a href="http://k-edge.com/" target="_blank">K-Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.squirtlube.com/" target="_blank">Squirt Lube</a> and <a href="http://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/" target="_blank">SelleSMP</a></div>
Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-58049961761816408212016-07-19T10:13:00.002-04:002016-12-01T14:21:38.082-05:00Volkswagen USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships - Mammoth Mountain, Calif<br />
Silver Medal<br />
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Who would think that just a little after competing in the Marathon Nationals I would be eager to take on another challenge. This time on a much shorter course and at altitude.<br /><br />I was completely not planning for that and all of the sudden decided to give it a go.<br /><br />The opportunity to go back after so many years to beautiful Mammoth Mountain was just so tough to pass. I knew there will be lots of things not going for me at this event, after all Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race is usually so short and explosive that I feel it doesn’t play directly to my strengths. Also, this time we were going to race at altitude, which of course was a major concern and there was really not that much that could have been done in that matter. <br /><br />Lastly, most of my recent preparations were so targeted to triathlon training that I felt I had a big gap to feel and energy to reroute to be able to at least feel ready. From the moment, I decided to proceed to the moment the race was going to take place I only had four weeks to prepare. I was forced to drop lots of my triathlon activities, especially running and get to work. Interestingly it didn’t take long for me to feel stronger and notice significant bike fitness gains. It was surprisingly going fast and each and every workout showed really remarkable progress. I did not expect that to happen so quickly but for sure I was not going to complain. <br /><br />The whole journey to get there and come back home was massive and never ending. I could have most likely made it all the way to Europe with all the flying and driving that had to be done. And I didn’t have a great length of time to stay in the mountains and get acclimated to the altitude. I rather jetted out Tuesday late afternoon the moment I logged off my work computer, straight to the airport and a 6 hour flight to Vegas and ended up exhausted in the hotel sometime around midnight. The next morning it was all about making the drive as flawless as possible to make it for my practice on the bike course at 5:30 pm, another 6 hours away. We drove through some scorching hot, interesting but lifeless looking and deserted terrain. Besides occasional donkeys there was nothing around. We still had to get to the hotel first which was some 45-50 minutes away from the race site, build our bikes, grab a bite (nothing like gas station gross sandwiches the day before the race) and really get there on time, it was not time to be fussy but rather focus on priorities.<br /><br />The registration was closed already and I was ready to tackle the course. It was nice to see right away friendly faces of our quite numerous Floridian riders. Myself and Becky who traveled with us went eagerly on the course and right away were welcomed with a climb, soon after nice and flowy single track, some cool ramps to go over and a whole a lot of sand. The best part was when I got to the final almost 1 mile of the single track what was heading straight down to the finish area, the interesting part of it was that it was the trail we used to downhill with my husband some 6 years ago, on rented downhill bikes. It brought great memories back but in disbelieve I stopped my bike, pulled to the side and made sure to ask if I was still on the cross-country course. I was reassured that I still was. It really made me smile because it was so different to the rest of the course but I didn’t mind to continue and took on the challenge. It was really super fun part and I ended up repeating it once again on race morning. <br /><br />But before that we had the long ride to the hotel, then back to the race site bright and early for my 9 am start. I think we got to the race site little after 7 am and the big mountain was going up and up to reach the blue sky. After my warmup, I spent some time hanging around and trying to relax, it happened that one of my competition ladies stopped nearby and spoke to the friend quite confidently and in energizing way about her upcoming race. He even asked if she was going to race Pro but she stated that she will race age group and she can ride this mountain all day long. This was my “Pro” girl who I knew would be one of my main competitors that day. Apparently, she used to race pro on the cross-country circuit and is a biking coach. Second, I had my Xterra Pro friend Genevieve who I knew has the skills, strength and will to go hard for long and will not be bothered by any discomfort. After all this is what kind of people XTERRA breads. <br /><br />We rolled to the start line and got staged. It was quite an honor to be called up first, thanks to our recent changes in the local racing where finally we can get once again UASC points. <br /><br />The position on the start line felt important to me and I was going back and forth with the left and right side, but none of them seemed suitable. There was the right corner that I would want to make if I stayed on the right to make for a smoother line to the first climb, but could get cut off if I didn’t have a good start. On the left I, could never make it all the way left and run out of time and have to take the worst line up.<br /><br />I ended up picking the center line and only could feel my heart rate racing up and up to the point that I could not wait any longer and just wanted to race!<br /><br />The countdown took place and we were off. What a start, from all my not so great starts during the local races here when it really mattered I had the best start I could think of. Sweet hole shot, I was some 10 feet ahead going to the first climb and having my line. I went to the top of the expo and was flying on my own having the whole group well behind. There was lots of clapping and cheering, especially for my competition who happened to have lots of local cheering groups. I went to the team tents and turned to the first climb which starts with the feed zone. Things were going great but soon after I started feeling the aftermath of my ridiculously fast start. My legs were going noodely soft and I was short of breath. I was not about to give up and slow down but I started hearing closer and closer bikes approaching me. I missed just by a mere few meters entry to the first single track as a leader and two riders went by me, one of them being my “Pro” girl. All I wanted to do now was to settle in, enjoy the ride, get my breathing under control and don’t lose my sight off the ladies.<br /><br />It didn’t take me long to get in the “comfort” zone where I knew I could stay and things would be quite fine if not the other wheel was approaching behind me. This time it was my XTERRA Pro friend and she was quite ready to go. After a few sets of switchbacks where was little more space I let her go by, it was at mile 1. Now I was in 4th from my whole starting group. I could only hope that the passing on everyone else’s side was over and it was going to be me now to start making my passes. Thankfully when cranking up the mountain for over a mile and a half now I ended up pretty much on the wheel of my “Pro” girl and made an effort when I could to make my pass. I have to admit it rarely felt good to be able to make it happen so early of the race, I did foresee much more resistance throughout the whole race to be honest. While in front and having only my XTERRA girl ahead I was comfortably in the 2nd position in my class and was now fully focused to simply ride my best and within my abilities. I learned quickly that riding out of the saddle or trying to create any type of attack didn’t work well in this thin air environment. My body would simply collapse back to the saddle and let me know in that way that this is not happening today and I have to ride in more reserved, conservative to the point and steady manner. I was no longer in Florida for sure…<br /><br />The way I saw my XTERRA girl biking away was telling me about what she just told me when we were talking about on the start line. When I told her I could feel the effects of the altitude she informed me that it was completely not a problem for her since she does live at altitude. That was a bummer, since for fact it was going to be one of the detrimental part to this race, but at the same time nothing that would stop me from riding at hundred percent of what my body can put out in this environment. So, when I looked up when she was passing me and getting away I have to say just one thing, she looked strong, solid, moving at the steady but faster than the rest of us pace. Soon after I would not see her for the longest time during the whole race.<br /><br />The first lap went by pretty quickly and now it kind of feels like a blur, but when I look back at the feelings that I was experiencing on laps two and three, those are a different story. The small things started getting to me, like zapping sun on my back, even though there was still sort of little undertone of the freshness in the air. The long climb under the chair lift was getting longer and more annoying, I put the smallest Q-Ring that I had and often on the steepest parts I would be using just that. The reward of patience and getting to the top was the nice descent to the fun, sandy but so flowy single track. It was a matter now of having fun, speed, trusting your own skills and especially test my recent training practice in the deep sand. It all worked out good and I really had a good time and enjoyed this course. But there was one more climb, the 3rd climb which was pretty painful, constant in the full sun and for some reasons I really couldn’t get a grasp on my breathing now. I didn’t think I was getting sick but my sinuses just got completely clogged and breathing just through the mouth only and not being able to breath fully plus the lack of oxygen in the air already were not working out for me.<br /><br />I started making such funky noises that wondered if whomever was approaching me now from the back will think if I am going to survive. I got passed very closely to the top, it took me a while to regain control of myself and I was back on the wheel of the girl that passed me. Going in to the really fun, uphill facing but still with so much flow single track I knew I can be much faster than her. I asked for a pass and told her to stick to my wheel. This was another very enjoyable section that rolled in the roller coaster like fashion taking us a little higher but we rode it without much discomfort of the standard climbing. This trail would lead me to the final double track section which also wondered slightly up and then the most memorable 1 mile of descending. It was rough, bumpy, sandy, rocks, deep sand holes, cement blocks and some wooden ramps would fill out our way down.<br /><br />When I got to the bottom and through the finish line I was announced as being in 2nd place and knew I was slipping in time from the leader. I still enjoyed all the single track equally on the final lap, but the climbs were getting to me even more now, I started feeling dizzy, lightheaded and just was trying to convince myself to stay strong and do my best not to pass out and actually make it to the top. I was still in the self-preservation mode and any attempt to attack and speed up was really not an option. It is weird but racing in altitude is a totally different type of game and you just can’t approach it the same way and also your body will let you know pretty quickly what is and what is not possible. By the time I got over with the longest climb I looked up and I noticed my XTERRA girlfriend on her return way. I timed it and by the time I covered another single track and the 3rd climb and got to the spot where I saw here I was some six minutes back. it was a long time, there was no way I was going to catch her because there had to be less than 2 miles to go from there and mostly down. She was having evidently a great performance and I just did my best to stay on the gas, make my passes of other women that were ahead and get first to the final descent. Now it was all about being smooth, careful but also joyful and grateful for this amazing day. The bumpy, bad- ass track finally after a long while did come to the end and I got my official 2nd place in the Cross-Country Nationals. <br /><br />There was one thing that was pretty obvious from the moment I crossed the finish line, 1st I got my first medal at the cross-country distance National event, 2nd my lungs were on fire. The pain in them was so strong, it felt like fire, like I was breathing glass for last two hours. Instantly I got an awful cough and then with each passing minute I would start developing the tremendous headache and later on all the symptoms one can get from having a flu. I felt awful and it was really tough to enjoy this beautiful place. <br /><br />
<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-17194806814427454382016-06-06T18:26:00.001-04:002017-02-04T00:18:21.348-05:00USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships - Columbia County, GA<br />
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USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships<br />
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After whole year of waiting... I did it!<br />
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1st place in my group, 7th overall including Pro's.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stars and Stripes Jersey!!!</td></tr>
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The course today was long and simply put brutal. The heat was extreme and made everything so much more difficult. The quote of the day was "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" and I just kept repeating it over and over again when I was flying full speed and when things were starting to get tough. It was mind over matter kind of day and I am so so happy I stayed strong and fought my way to victory. Monster thank you to my Pax who did amazing job supporting me today.! And another huge thank you to all my wonderful sponsors who stood by me for so many years... We did it all together!<br />
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What a race!<br />
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Conditions this year were quite extreme, definitely the same course, well almost the same, some modifications were made last second due to the constructions of the bridge, but otherwise quite similar as last year. What was different now was the fact that all the gulley’s and water crossings this time around were pretty much dry, the bumpy hay laid section on the first half which was extremely bumpy was full of mud last year. The never ending tree stumps on the first trail in the second half were reduced in number by kindly having the middles of the massive laying across the track cut out. But not all of them however. Everything seemed to be much easier this year but there was one thing that was completely off, it was the temperature. Since last year we raced a full month earlier the air was cool on the race morning, the beautiful fog was raising from the cold lake, it was this energy and freshness packed and awaiting to be grasped. But this time we were already in June and temperatures at the race start was already in the 80s with this hot, humid and stagnant air. It was worse than what we were already experiencing in South Florida. It was not fun.<br />
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Adding to it I traveled already a few hours straight from work on Thursday and Friday a few extra hours and went straight to the course. Pre rode some parts and tried to ride the sections which were not marked correctly last year. To our surprise we ended up riding far in to the gravel roads to find the race course being completely changed to what we saw and learned a few days earlier on the map. So besides a few hours in the car, we spent some 2 hours on the race course in the already extreme heat. I was so tired I had no desire to even go see the main race site and just went to the race meeting and picked up my packet.<br />
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We learned that evening that course had to be adjusted due to the bridge construction and it was totally fine however funny part was that this time the ugly log filled 10 mile section that I did 2x last year due to the missing tapes and course markings now I will have to do again in the same, slow and quite disturbing direction. Oh well at least I got prepped for it last time around.<br />
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Race morning didn’t remind me anything from last year’s event, at least not how I felt that morning. For some weird reasons I had no energy in me whatsoever. There felt like there was just nothing to give. In quiet, I did all my preparations in very low energy and snail like pace. I tried to stay calm and ignore all the bad signs, I felt almost nauseous and quite dizzy. Not sure if it was heat, travel, tiredness, whatever it was it was not going away. My warm up was pretty bad too but at least I got to ride around and scout some closer parts and marks on the course. I felt so not ready!<br />
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And the time did come and we were called to staging. I was going to start not only with my group but also the group below. Thankfully after the 2 girls from previous class were called out I was first called from my class and therefore received a spot in the front row on the start line, it was good.<br />
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I positioned myself still not feeling it but knowing it has to change quickly and hoped my natural racing instinct was going to kick in. The nervousness suddenly elevated when we got to the one-minute mark to the start announced. But it was good again, it was a sign that there is something in me that is quite awake and possibly ready. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race start...</td></tr>
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Whistle blew and we were off, for a few seconds I felt like I was in front, there was this one rider who was right by my side and before the first climb approached she was gaining the speed faster than everyone else. She flew up the climb and owned it, I was right behind and now battling for 3rd place with another girl (I called her Trek girl) from the other class. We went back and forth fighting for the spot all the way to the single track, which was a mile away. I didn’t feel I had legs as strong as last year and kept thinking how upset I was that I rode so much in this heat the other day. I needed my legs to be so fresh right now but they were not, I knew I will have to dig even deeper and try much harder than everyone else. Even though my Trek girl got in front of me for quite some time I found strength to challenge her and get to the single track in the 2nd place.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battle begins!</td></tr>
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When there I started realizing how much fun it was last time I rode here and started appreciating this full of flow and roller coaster like features track. Really fun and pretty part of the course. I also realized that the extra tire pressure that we set on my bike was a big mistake since I felt I was sliding out in those leaf and pine needle covered corners. There was no time now for adjustments however and I had to deal with it. By the time we got to the section with fenced in big cows in the middle of the forest (they were huge!) I had some girls on my tail. It was one that went by than the other, I kept sliding away and losing my spots, at some point sliding as far as 5th position from my starting group. It was becoming a little depressing but didn’t get to me really or affected in any negative way. I was in the wait and see mode right now and didn’t want to stress too much about anything since those were only the first few starting miles. I got concerned however when I heard again a buzzing noise behind my wheel, the girl was ready to go and I did let her. Seconds later I realized it was my main competition for today from my class (I called her the Colorado Girl) and she was now ahead of me. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On nice single track, still smooth and with a nice flow, but starting to feel the heat...</td></tr>
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Lots went through my mind at that point, in an instant the memory from the last year’s race kicked in and I was reminded how my victory slipped away after I lead the race for 47 miles to “Cyclocross Girl”. I looked at my Colorado girl ahead and assessed, she was riding well, handling very good the single track but I didn’t see anything in particular that would say she can do it better than myself. I hung there on her tail to the end of the trail and eventually we got spilled on the grassy double track with some log hopping in between. She was still leading, we were only a mere 5 miles in. In a very short time I realized she was showing me she belonged in the lead but I didn’t see really a high effort from her to keep it that way, I knew it will not take long when I will be ready to make my move and attack. When I did accelerate and pick the tougher line to pass it felt like she was resisting a little and didn’t want me to go, but I was way too focused on having my spot back and I told myself before a while she was in front of me on the single track “I will not let this win slip away once again”. And I didn’t.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng3tByczT9UtYFo2-Qs3RK-5CixH5lTIHEtuWeCy8qR2ZBWYbaZVS5wej1zTwqrAyS0wRhHFMiL7KqYWSNvu8ixF6QwsOrm2mH5kTTyhej7UbXVOUJe4OqByCBudkL0fkD0RXIwFpVvY/s1600/_BDW9980.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhng3tByczT9UtYFo2-Qs3RK-5CixH5lTIHEtuWeCy8qR2ZBWYbaZVS5wej1zTwqrAyS0wRhHFMiL7KqYWSNvu8ixF6QwsOrm2mH5kTTyhej7UbXVOUJe4OqByCBudkL0fkD0RXIwFpVvY/s640/_BDW9980.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engine fully engaged. Hot + full throttle On = Suffer Mode! Just made my pass to gain good position into the single track... </td></tr>
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<br />
I had my lead position back and was now chasing down the other girls from my start line. They were not that far ahead. I did catch up to them and made a pass on one of the hot, steep and brutal climbs. The heat now was getting to everyone and especially when things did turn upwards and were fully exposed to the sun. We were all suffering already. But soon after, something I didn’t know was coming up soon and we got dipped down to a pretty steep, narrow and loose downhill that led us to the big river gulley. This is where my girls were once again on my tail. Unfortunately for me I biked all the way to the bottom and did slide on the roots on the side of the hill and fell sideways. This is where two girls went by me and started climbing the muddy and steep way out of the hole in front of me. We went straight to the next climb and some road. I hit the gas again and made sure I passed all of them before getting to the single track. Now we were at mile 12 were the old feed zone used to be. The track after that was pretty nice I think it was called Lake trail and we would be on it pretty much until the feed zone 2 aka start/finish area. I rode at my own pace and made passes on guys or whomever was ahead. At the longest times however I felt like I was there in the forest by myself. It was a weird feeling. Lots of people happened to stand on the side of the trail and having some mechanical issue. I was only glad it was not me. When I finally reached feed zone 1 at mile 20 I told my husband that I got so spoiled with my camelback that I will want to continue using it for the remainder of the race. Initial plan was to use it for the first half and then go with bottles, I was completely sure I will be hot and sick and tired of something flopping around my overheated back for so many hours. But actually it didn’t bother me that much and gave me lots of freedom to drink at much as I wished and when I wanted to. It was a good change from norm.<br />
<br />
Since the conditions were so extreme nutrition and staying hydrated was the key here and I was so very happy that I was executing my plan so well. By the time I got back from this crazy roller coaster ride on the first 30 miles I had my whole camelback empty and half of a water bottle. Unfortunately, on mile 26 I started hearing someone’s spinning wheel and I got caught by the Trek girl once again. We for sure had something going here that day. It was also in the spot where there was tape down on the ground and arrow pointing straight but another trail pointing to the right. I was like oh boy not again, I was hoping someone didn’t play this game with us again and reroute us from the race course. I confirmed with Trek girl and she felt we were on the right path to the finish. Soon enough I was riding on the side of the road and I was back. I had my Pax waiting for me in the feed zone filling out my camelback, but I did waste some time doing so but felt my gap hopefully was sufficient enough for it to be worth it. I packed a whole back pocket of Clif gels and biked away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j-jII2kryTlb9118XfxxHB0x1u7_Wwwq9E1PDWmNWoVcn1N3_MVV9TtQaH_avOE_FwOz8NXoUpIxlN8j8k63fPbUqotd-O2iEPMo9kquMaq9OFz6o4z9FvP-OqB6ZjJXve5MIAG1iW8/s1600/_BDW0086.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j-jII2kryTlb9118XfxxHB0x1u7_Wwwq9E1PDWmNWoVcn1N3_MVV9TtQaH_avOE_FwOz8NXoUpIxlN8j8k63fPbUqotd-O2iEPMo9kquMaq9OFz6o4z9FvP-OqB6ZjJXve5MIAG1iW8/s640/_BDW0086.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha, those volunteers were fun, cheery, super helpful and made my Pax put his overheated head into the bucket full of ice! </td></tr>
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<br />
So now 30 miles in, 2.5 hours and temperatures being simply ridiculous I knew the second half will be a whole another race. Everything was different now, the heat was overwhelming, body was overheated, legs tired, course way more technical and bumpy than the first half and some serious road sections with full hot sun ahead. I wondered how I was going to do that. I kept mentally breaking those 30 miles into the small sections that I knew I will need to treat as one at the time adventure. I told myself that the first 12 miles will be the most brutal and if I can stay smooth, composed and mechanical free and somehow mentally strong it will be downhill from there. It was not completely the truth but it was worth a try. The miles ahead were however the worst one can imagine in such a long race. The slowest, bumpiest, root filled, log covered, tight, twisty trail one can encounter. Maybe I would feel better about this particular section if I went fresh on a few miles ride but by the time I got there it was the last thing I would want to see and ride, lastly race on. I though how much I did not enjoy it and how tough it was on my body each time I hit the new set of tall roots, each time the trail dipped down to a foot to three wide drop and mostly each time I had to get off my bike to go over a monster tree laying across the trail. Sometimes I barley had a chance to clip in to seconds later having to unclip to go over another huge tree. It was getting quite ridiculous and I was trying not to go to a dark place and be focused on the big picture. I would keep imagining the exit coming up soon, but the time kept ticking away and the end was nowhere near. It really required a lot of mental strength and patience. Getting some kind of bike problem was an easy thing here and at some point some massive branches just popped out from the ground at the last second and skimmed through my front and back Stan’s Valor wheels thankfully leaving it untouched. But really anything could happen there to anyone. When I got out of there finally I was spilled on the grassy stretch where we had feed zone 3 and 4. Once again I was so happy to see my Pax and I realized I was out of the water again. He was able to pour just some water to my camelback and handed me another water bottle with Clif electrolyte. He also shoveled some ice cubes behind my shirt and I felt the melting ice on my back for long time to come.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeoFW5qfwcfVJG0HFDFhDC7aMZdymGW8msXRIer9jeH0ujYX1aUtHV37Bv8PsVi9iDP8-RZTR-XA1eJtIdIq8yP7cfb8HbmBDlmHxcZ5DCeZDd9-jDWlMDSYQEWR6qMj9TOoxideoFH0/s1600/_BDW0013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeoFW5qfwcfVJG0HFDFhDC7aMZdymGW8msXRIer9jeH0ujYX1aUtHV37Bv8PsVi9iDP8-RZTR-XA1eJtIdIq8yP7cfb8HbmBDlmHxcZ5DCeZDd9-jDWlMDSYQEWR6qMj9TOoxideoFH0/s640/_BDW0013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Trail is really calm, smooth and sweet!</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Now were the country roads that we had to take and we were able to see returning Pro men from the most interesting and fun part of the course, but at the same time the most difficult. The road ride was not easy but quite short and it turned to the dirt double track which changed to technical single track and now was going to go on for some 10 miles. I knew here was where certainly the race can be won or lost. There were so many obstacles in the way most of the time in form of dryer this time river crossings, steep downs that takes you up steep climbs without much warning. It was tough to have them memorized and quickly recall which one was which. Every little mistake here was going to add up, which meant that you can be coming in to this trail system called Mistletoe you can be with a five-minute lead and come out with none. At the same time the mind and body was in such a delirious state that it was very important to don’t over push and in some way self-preserve. No wonder I saw there on last river crossing over big rocks and on top of the final half way climb the medical personnel. It was easy at this point in the race to push just slightly too far and don’t make it out of there without needing some serious medical help.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H269TXBrDkoR0BcGhnc_Y7XQW8YE5EnuW-gwuVgVW2nGhf2iVd6boy9Rt0oRloTUHt1It6UYvKIRnbcVsG-mmtPBRj9Zt7rsJAasCaz98OnzRb9qXGMfZ_j-MWs5oNyFy5Zo8eIew2Q/s1600/_BDW0022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H269TXBrDkoR0BcGhnc_Y7XQW8YE5EnuW-gwuVgVW2nGhf2iVd6boy9Rt0oRloTUHt1It6UYvKIRnbcVsG-mmtPBRj9Zt7rsJAasCaz98OnzRb9qXGMfZ_j-MWs5oNyFy5Zo8eIew2Q/s640/_BDW0022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a Camelback person I am, but this worked out really well for this type of race. I really enjoyed it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB1yjMDPySBcC6yvhU1Hm3FEeOB4H4jEMxwrqNralXT67bGNJUQeTzCb1zXJpGZotrQfdac7Ya-8bJ-P3jQLIoddXKdNVvE25Bl4BCrjzoePgbb3DW6e43YhmCfXLsm0khsbitT52iM4/s1600/_BDW9919.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB1yjMDPySBcC6yvhU1Hm3FEeOB4H4jEMxwrqNralXT67bGNJUQeTzCb1zXJpGZotrQfdac7Ya-8bJ-P3jQLIoddXKdNVvE25Bl4BCrjzoePgbb3DW6e43YhmCfXLsm0khsbitT52iM4/s400/_BDW9919.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling "lonely" at times...</td></tr>
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It was that tough. I was very happy when I covered the first more difficult part and was half way through the second, little kinder section. I passed some riders who were struggling already but to my surprise on one river crossing I noticed my Trek girl again. I said hi and followed her wheel for a little bit. I think it was around mile 50. We were almost out of there and I made my pass, little more of single track that was connecting us to the dirt road climb and I reached once again the feed zone, it was the final chance for me to grab a water bottle before heading for the final miles. With no warning my husband did pour icy cold water on my back and I just remember totally going short of breath of the shock to the overheated system. I loved the volunteers yelling to me to keep hammering that I’m in first place. Funny thing here is that my husband made a little bet with them and offered to put his overheated head to the bucket full of ice water if I was still in the lead at this point. So he did the moment I biked away! Would have loved to witness this major brain freeze in person1 Ha.<br />
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<br />
I got here however my first split in the whole race, I had 5-minute lead going into Mistletoe, which meant that my Colorado girl could be now anywhere behind me, from 1 minute down to 5 or maybe 10, who knows. I was concerned that she might be capable to ride the final miles really fast since I was told by someone that the last almost 10 miles are all gravel double track and pretty much hammer zone. This could play against me and I knew I will have to give everything I got now. But soon after I was on mile 52 than 54, 55 and realized we were back in some freshly cut single track, no gravel in sight. I think it went on to mile 56 and then finally we got spilled to the section I knew which was going to have a few fast descents and climbs and eventually would lead me to the road crossing and final trail. I was going back and forth with some younger male riders and they seemed to struggle on the single track but do ok on the gravel. I could sense the finish now near and signs were popping everywhere with 10 k to go, 5k to go, 4. I could not wait and kept speeding away in the opposite direction to where it all started a few hours back. I had some company on my way up and into the final turn where we had those most amazing three black arrows pointing straight down the finishing shoot…<br />
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I looked back but there was no one near me at the time that I was racing against, no Trek girl, no Colorado girl, it was just me flying down full speed and welcoming the huge Finish line finally here. <br />
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I was just smiling slightly to my husband when crossing and having my name announced. It was such a good feeling to accomplish this goal I was waiting for so long and know that it’s over, it’s done, I finally won, and I don’t have to worry about anything or anyone any longer. I got my win, I got my National Championship Jersey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq90RMIlOFMOoj3VnqItt6h833ZDNHmDVi5dGSInOY3oG5jqbV4a5Dbzh3Q_sv3M_wdWou-n-vK2lHnTasPJhBPaKrCZfCvlhkIoH1NdAEN6NCc1nBXaE8p5EUSlVp-ynTDVnbn6az9Ww/s1600/_BDW0111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq90RMIlOFMOoj3VnqItt6h833ZDNHmDVi5dGSInOY3oG5jqbV4a5Dbzh3Q_sv3M_wdWou-n-vK2lHnTasPJhBPaKrCZfCvlhkIoH1NdAEN6NCc1nBXaE8p5EUSlVp-ynTDVnbn6az9Ww/s640/_BDW0111.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Finish Line!!! It had been a long road to get here, but I did it!</td></tr>
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<br />
It was a long and painful day for sure but it was all worth it and it was all for a reason.<br />
<br />
I knew I was going to come back stronger to win and not necessarily as a stronger biker but as a stronger person overall. I am proud of how I handled myself at all those really difficult moments and that my spirit or belief never let me down. I stayed strong throughout and it was all this race was about.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExcVYwaQ_y3lqxt9pxJ8bJ5vDfa0jBSy9bh6TwSjCuUhkjupxWmifcXROfTSypycEoHFE5qaBbB6pVS1HOytckF6VI5zCalnWYxqKt8umt3FbfPPdMc2z5xN3eLVpNARMzsEetghbKzs/s640/_BDW0118.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covered in dirt, sweat, grime but happy to have my NR 1 Place Finish!</td></tr>
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<br />
I’m very happy I was part of this event and finished on top.<br />
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Thank you to all that contributed to my journey, to all who supported me, cheered for me, encouraged me during the race. I loved being surrounded by people and kind friends who wished me well and believed I am capable of doing something great. <br />
<br />
Thank you so much for everything you did because the smallest word of encouragement went a long way in the event like that! <br />
<br />
Of course massive thank you to my Pax, without whom all of it would not happened. He was almost as tired as I was from all the driving, pre-riding, setting everything up and supporting me during this event. He was burnt like a raisin from standing in the hot field waiting for me to hand me off bottles. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KhD-dFRnUMmsFDd9DCCvNjxIC77lUsSdKcIq2C57ymeh8eDYL7dgJ5t02lyfOSbLj_ct1ur8RGocyw3ZrISJBGKYIwk3FK8XdXJqjh6tvQ8pd3faOcm533Nd8jY3N6VnLuW4CJZyF0w/s1600/_BDW0129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KhD-dFRnUMmsFDd9DCCvNjxIC77lUsSdKcIq2C57ymeh8eDYL7dgJ5t02lyfOSbLj_ct1ur8RGocyw3ZrISJBGKYIwk3FK8XdXJqjh6tvQ8pd3faOcm533Nd8jY3N6VnLuW4CJZyF0w/s640/_BDW0129.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After crossing the finish with today's Pro winner Rose Grant! Let's call it, we both rolled on today The Wheels of Victory - Stan's Notubes Valors! :-)</td></tr>
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<br />
And now about my bike, my super bike, my partner in crime (well besides my husband), my racing machine. It was flawless. Who would think racing on the rough terrain for over 60 miles on a hard tail is the way to go? Apparently it was and worked out well. From my fast rolling Stan’s Notubes Valor wheels which rolled over everything so nicely and the Schwalbe Racing Ralph’s and Ron’s tires that stay put throughout the race, to the New sealant inside which I knew was going to keep me safe from getting flats, I knew I was going to have a great ride. I saw so many people on the side of the trail working on their bikes… I loved my reliable Magura Brakes which I always know I can trust, and comfortable ESI grips on my perfectly angled Syntace bar and stem. My KMC chain stayed strong even on the steepest climbs this track had to offer. The Squirt Lube of course was keeping my chain smooth and debris free no matter what kind of gook I was going through. My Rotor Inpower cranks and chosen to the type of the course Q-Rings were so important and informative with power data coming from this race. And everything was super smooth spinning due to the gorgeous and ridiculously performing Enduro Bearings. And the most important and interesting part was my saddle, the Selle SMP Composit which is stripped of all padding elements, but yet so beautify contoured to the human body that it really doesn’t need any. 6 hours of no chaffing on the hard tail, non-padded saddle was accomplished to the other Squirt secret weapon, Tea Tree Oil Chaffing Cream. Oh yes, it was quite important to load on this really cool smelling and anti-bacterial stuff! It all worked together in the perfect harmony which cumulates in the beautiful performance. Loving your bike, loving to ride your bike often comes down to being one with it when the time to perform comes. And when you feel that way, you become unstoppable. Build, customize and LOVE YOUR BIKE like I do!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkNLwRKedrN4NH7JfMYYAgZLuAQ7timjVraiInkjGrRFrAHCdqwPpNgqbq1QsAAliWng59sxZmMdqQ4cFE1bjc54XOSoovtD8A2KyUSiA1mCpHXnw3R3hA5M-HcakKJ3OphXfU8vlZPw/s1600/_BDW0135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkNLwRKedrN4NH7JfMYYAgZLuAQ7timjVraiInkjGrRFrAHCdqwPpNgqbq1QsAAliWng59sxZmMdqQ4cFE1bjc54XOSoovtD8A2KyUSiA1mCpHXnw3R3hA5M-HcakKJ3OphXfU8vlZPw/s640/_BDW0135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah on another failed mission to cool off, the lake was steaming hot! But didn't miss on having fun... </td></tr>
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Huge thanks to my sponsors:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Syntace, Magura, Stan’s Notubes, Schwalbe, Trainer Road, ESI Grips, Clif, Xpedo, Trainer Road, Garden of Life, Kuat Racks, Light & Motion, KT Tape, Cycleops, Mack Cycle, Oakley, Pocketfinder, Specialized, Louis Garneau, KMC Chains,Rotor Bike Components, Health Fit Chiropractic, K-Edge, Squirt Lube and SelleSMP </div>
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Until next time!<br />
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Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-12932858017508965302016-06-02T10:20:00.004-04:002016-06-06T18:26:46.657-04:00Southeast Championships of XTERRA - Pelham, AL<br />
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XTERRA SOUTHEAST, 4th stop of Pan American series. 2nd place AG, 11th Overall including Pro's. 6th best bike split with Pro's. It was wonderful to actually compete in this great event after the scare I had on my preride. I was sent so high in the air on my bike and landed 10 feet further on the side of the hill, first hitting my elbow and knee and loosing almost completely feeling in my fingers and not having any grip strength. For the longest time I was certain I would not be able to race, but things started improving slightly. Despite the pain, the spasming of my whole arm I decided to still race and pulled some great times. The course was so perfect this time around and since the over predicted crazy rain never showed in the expected amounts. Truly a brilliant place to race... It was also great to see all my friends and fellow racers. As usual I had so much fun at Oak Mountain!<br />
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More soon...<br />
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-82941516510432852332016-06-02T10:10:00.001-04:002016-06-02T10:10:55.790-04:00Mack Cycle Miami Road Tri<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
1st place AG out of 17, Top 10 Overall Female, 19.7 mph average speed on my beautiful mountain bike! Such a hot but gorgeous day, and pretty location for the race.</div>
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Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-72823251755043714832016-04-10T21:54:00.001-04:002016-04-10T21:56:16.229-04:00Dyer Park Duathlon<br />
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Dyer Park Duathlon – organized by FORCE (Florida Off-Road Cycling Enthusiasts)<br />
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It was a fun day in the park for sure. We are used to coming here to ride our favorite hill and hit some tight single track but actually to race duathlon it was a new one.<br />
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Trails here are not so easy to be kept up with, especially with hot Floridian summers where the torrential rains are the first to get on the mount and try to wash all this amazing and hard work down in the matter of minutes.<br />
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Thanks to the FORCE crew you could not even tell that it ever rains here at all, the hill was just perfect, fast, flowy, smooth and with really beautiful and well packed berms.<br />
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It was great to see the race to take place to support all this work and our trails.<br />
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Huge array of dirt loving people did show up, the fitness level and age did not matter at all.<br />
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We had great blend of super young athletes flying side by side by well experienced racers. It was great to see that love for off -road environment and engagement of everyone that joined.<br />
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It was not an easy one, it was pretty hot and humid so everyone who tackled this run/bike/run through the gravel road, single track and the hill and eventually finished deserves huge congratulations.<br />
It was a challenge for sure for all of us!<br />
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Here are some pictures that my Pax took from that day.<br />
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Thanks to organizers, volunteers and all who decided to spend this beautiful morning in our local park!<br />
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Hope to see you all soon again…<br />
<br />
Beata<br />
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Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-8660960700619652012016-03-29T10:33:00.000-04:002016-03-29T10:57:08.965-04:00South Eastern Regional Championship Series (SERC) #1, Haile's Trails - Newberry, FL<br />
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2nd Place Pro/Cat 1 at the South Eastern Regional Championship Series (SERC) #1, Haile's Trails - Newberry, FL<br />
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-54545812047093625532016-02-22T10:22:00.000-05:002016-02-28T10:48:59.066-05:0012 Hours of Santos<br />
12 Hours of Santos is for sure a race we were all waiting for. We love it for so many reasons.<br />
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The course is always super tough, technical and fun. We race the whole day with our Teams and besides being seriously challenged and often pushed to the limit we also have a blast and enjoy the simple elements of spending the day on this ridiculous race course and in a great company.<br />
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This video is long and includes two full laps of the race course. Day lap was ridden by Victor Nelson and the night lap by myself. I decided not to cut anything out for those that really wanted to see the whole track and never raced here before and of course for those that did but would love to relive it.<br />
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Of course nothing is better than being right there in person but hope this can show a little spirit and the feel of the race.<br />
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For the night laps both Mack Cycle Teams were fully equipped with Light & Motion lights. Everyone was super pleased with the performance and insane brightness. I think we were the best lit teams in the forest!<br />
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Ultimately I placed 1st in Solo Female.<br />
Team Mack 1 – 5th Coed<br />
Team Mack 2 – 7th Coed<br />
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It was an awesome day and I miss it already.<br />
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Hope you all will enjoy!<br />
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-66752739867808842462016-01-26T10:00:00.001-05:002016-01-26T10:44:55.891-05:00Amelia 369 Endurance Race<br />
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Battle came down to the milliseconds at the end of a 3 hour race. Great race today at the Goneriding Amelia 369 MTB race. 2nd place today but very happy of how I performed. Looking forward to a great season this year. <br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw9LHyDGvh4&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Here is a nice Video Pax made of this day for me. </a></div>
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-56743680927023524662016-01-18T12:24:00.001-05:002016-01-18T12:28:59.367-05:0010k XTERRA Trail Run at Virginia Keys<br />
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1st Place Overall<br />
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XTERRA Trail Run<br />
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If someone thought that anything about an XTERRA full blown triathlon or trail run is easy, think again.<br />
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It doesn’t mean of course it is not fun. I am sure for all of those that are used to pound the pavement for most of their lives it would be a refreshing change and possibly a welcoming new challenge and nature get away. In the race even though the group was not huge, it was still competitive. Lots of funny things happened and the top guys took off like greyhounds after the rabbit right off the gate.<br />
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We ran through all the bike trails that were going to be raced on in the bike race the following day. It was for sure a challenge. We started with standing water crossings and then proceeded into the bike trails which as we know are very challenging nowadays, with lots of man-made obstacles and ever changing elevation and terrain. Like you can see I was chased by two racers from the start to the finish, we kept each other motivated, fast and didn’t let go of the gas until we crossed the finish line.<br />
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I was very happy and quite surprised to finish 1st overall female and 1st overall men and women.<br />
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And of course I could not have finished the day without biking right after on the same course…<br />
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My Pax was all over the place taking beautiful pictures so we can all enjoy and understand what is hiding in this little bike park at Key Biscayne called Virginia Keys.<br />
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Enjoy<br />
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<br />Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4172991222341675623.post-6694251906366730622015-11-05T11:55:00.002-05:002015-11-24T13:35:26.592-05:00XTERRA World Championship - Maui, HI<div style="text-align: left;">
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<b>XTERRA World Championships, Maui</b></div>
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<b>7th AG, 27th Female</b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Equipment Used:</span> Specialized S-Works
Stumpjumper WC from Mack Cycle , We traveled with EVOC Luggage and Bike
Case from EVOC USA, Louis Garneau custom Tri Kit, Specialized Evade Helmet and S-Work XC shoes, SRAM XX1 Drivetrain, LG TR-40 Bag, K-Edge Garmin mount, Selle SMP Composit Saddle, Magura MT8 Brakes, Syntace Duraflite
Carbon handlebars, Syntace FlatForce Stem, Syntace P6 HiFlex Seatpost,
Stan's Carbon Valor Wheels, Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti, Schwalbe Rocket Ron's and Racing Ralph's, Huub
Speedsuit, ESI Grips, Rotor crank with InPower, Rotor QX1 28t Chainring, KMC 11DLC
Red/Black Chain, Enduro Cermaic Jockey Wheels from Enduro Bearings, Enduro XD15 Torqtite BB30 Ceramic bottom bracket, Squirt Lube, Salomon
Sense 3 Ultra Soft Ground, Salomon Flasks, Suunto Ambit 3S, Light and Motion Solite,
Clif Shot Gels, Oakley Radar EV Path Uranium Collection with Prizm lenses, Marc Pro for recovery, Cycleops Powerbeam Trainer and Garden of
Life nutrition Every Day of my Life... And I used a Pocketfinder that
kept track of me so my Husband always knows at all times during the race
where I am.</b> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sub Zero and Myself on the rugged cliffs in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
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We were set for a long trip. Three in the morning and the alarm
went off; we are about to start our 16-hour journey from Florida to Hawaii.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9ddYFvCLnWouU5KFxV3pXoqS0lvagzuh8sCDIw4CbXOBdOesn2gg60x3y2BcVQXehoScigWMfv71GVlhCgvKIwmthft78RvAh-HYAjaxFly7Karuw96eEeCubSL2v3ZiAb3BAqHlHTk/s1600/20151027_043008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9ddYFvCLnWouU5KFxV3pXoqS0lvagzuh8sCDIw4CbXOBdOesn2gg60x3y2BcVQXehoScigWMfv71GVlhCgvKIwmthft78RvAh-HYAjaxFly7Karuw96eEeCubSL2v3ZiAb3BAqHlHTk/s640/20151027_043008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike and gear all cozy and ready for take off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When we took off the flight become sketchy and lots of turbulence
was taking place and I was way more nervous that I would be in any race. So
getting there was actually tougher than the race itself for me. My hands were
soaking wet and my heart was pounding. I started questioning myself why I do
what I do and put myself through all of it. When I am down on the ground and
look up and see a plane, it looks like a small dot and it seems unimportant and
insignificant. It is tough to imagine and comprehend that up there in the sky
are people with all their goals, dreams, purposes. Only what is on the ground
matters. But now when I’m up in the air, in this little plane, wondering how
technology evolved and that we find it a norm to be suspended thousands of feet
up in the air in this little plane, things look much different now. Everyone’s
future up here is strongly connected to what is happening right now. High above
the clouds, zooming to their destination, everything below seems now dreamlike
and not important, since it is so far away. Only the reality that we are in at
present matters, at least matters to us. Everything in life is dependent of the
perspective of the viewer. The same applies to racing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8e55NX2miu2dv1O1K1l4L2IB0O9eYnkbzeLmxcttBBoIoGVumntuP7RV5pPAG55o02kIdjgVMzD4Tvk8nt15YRV7_sY8vZwxajHkrB50_Av4LIuniXhZCZ1wucDKXJAQwGe0PcC1w0E/s1600/20151102_101559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8e55NX2miu2dv1O1K1l4L2IB0O9eYnkbzeLmxcttBBoIoGVumntuP7RV5pPAG55o02kIdjgVMzD4Tvk8nt15YRV7_sY8vZwxajHkrB50_Av4LIuniXhZCZ1wucDKXJAQwGe0PcC1w0E/s640/20151102_101559.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muchas in Maui. Molokai Island in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something that is so important to us bikers and triathletes,
seems purposeless for those who live more ordinarily lives. But we are strapped
in this different universe where things that we find important matter not only
to us but also thankfully to a big group of same minded people. Often I would
wonder of the purpose of this life as a whole and why I wake up and do the things
that I do. It is this constant strive for something, new challenge, new
adventure, better result. All this trouble to satisfy this burning and selfish
in a way drive to chase a new experience and goal. All I can do is wake up and
listen to my heart, it often knows what it wants next. I love just doing that
and seeing where it will take me. Just follow the life force that is in me and
let it drive me to whatever my destination might be.<br />
<br />
I guess. this is how I ended up in this little plane looking
down and wondering how I got here in the first place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1CwqPIebdXTe9EEO7xru1AfLPtxAzwsZCu_7j6qArDH4e9zlYmvHW61JFgRZwJgZjn0UAsueq2mLGTCitZygzbWOviXBYgCgsnrZe2UdqDPdlIdfiVEZK57xX9y6ZaDMvlUxt1ZtUpk/s640/20151029_154846.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone including bikes enjoyed this view...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second plane was
much bigger, which resulted in quite a smooth ride, it was however pretty
outdated.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzirLgw8gbfxkbFouIZCVOHWCQO30kkokc8GudBrRMAXSJgvkd36X-XeLMbwxQfyegEtsjrRlNwPU9xi7wcztaKRD5ysiKKlPoGeqNClVJMVUAc-nb5WFVk6SKLONsyZsuNpie8NLZqs/s640/20151028_065637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is my most favorite place for morning and evening walk... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When approaching the landing in Maui we noticed quickly how
strong the winds out there were. We were swinging left to right trying to level
out as much as possible, it made for a really eventful but thankfully
successful landing.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRKAhPWTfMRp5FYZGvjUz7b8oU__APtEUYqbL-Z7jnLX9APGOSxr6HcdV4fvdJ5On1xXzzmHm2noao73kCt8BxZypjlsg3DwoUdqm0p9alNAd9N8FhJnYJhxlInKH6XIyPTMziSkxQLI/s1600/20151027_180001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRKAhPWTfMRp5FYZGvjUz7b8oU__APtEUYqbL-Z7jnLX9APGOSxr6HcdV4fvdJ5On1xXzzmHm2noao73kCt8BxZypjlsg3DwoUdqm0p9alNAd9N8FhJnYJhxlInKH6XIyPTMziSkxQLI/s320/20151027_180001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So happy we made it here...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was magical to see the dark clouds covering the high and
lush mountains in the distance rising from gorgeous and never ending ocean.
Even though it was very windy it looked so peaceful to have such a vast amount
of water around. When we got to our beautiful condo and looked out it was clear
the waves were huge and were crashing on the cliffs below making huge geyser
like explosions. It was beautiful but concerning for the swim we were planning
the next day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The registration and bike pre-ride was first and when we got out
on the trails we learned that even the best athletes in the world had trouble riding some
sections, since it rained a little the day before and even some more in the
morning hours. I had a fantastic group of ladies to ride with and we did our
best to tackle as much of the bike course as we could tire side down. Often we
were sliding on the slimy clay so much that it felt like we were on an ice-skating
rink, my bike would totally go sideways when I was still progressing forward.
It was ninja skilled bike ride for sure. At some point I had so much mud on my
shoes and tires that riding or clipping in was impossible. We were digging out
all the gook with sticks in order to keep going. We hoped conditions were going
to change by the race morning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFkumRtuCHQzcBYQK0Vff6NgPp8YVbszEaIWlpu7REdddMv6-A-tRoZkoC4XQAT-vIITX9z3AjbNgzFHx3cIBAgU0QNlLn6Iyjah_59Q4OWePVpg8R0nKssyg7So-rOaiTUzkr5uxA3U/s640/20151028_174532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windy evening with high surf. Everyone all smiles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My swim this day with monster
waves still going on (from a passing hurricane) was a total fiasco.
I ended up being a few minutes in the water and got caught under a 12-15-foot
huge wave and dragged under, span around, pulled and all I could do was hold on
and hope to be spilled out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 154.95pt;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l9f0FLEpvmvVeL37Xa8FEuO65cCPrCS_F2TJ3h6TrDpz0KSye8NmdBluioEf-F9hFqamNEFvPa9QyyjPCU1Tq9auyPR0gISHJN6Mbdqlup0qXovNk7_q0Csd-98UEX1J4kEukhmXhwg/s1600/20151028_172323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6l9f0FLEpvmvVeL37Xa8FEuO65cCPrCS_F2TJ3h6TrDpz0KSye8NmdBluioEf-F9hFqamNEFvPa9QyyjPCU1Tq9auyPR0gISHJN6Mbdqlup0qXovNk7_q0Csd-98UEX1J4kEukhmXhwg/s640/20151028_172323.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe here I started realizing that those waves were slightly to big for a safe swim...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was getting now short of breath and when I got
out I saw another massive wave instantly coming at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dove in as low as I could and unfortunately got grabbed
again. Same thing happened and all I could do was hope I can hold my breath
long enough when I am being trashed around like a leaf deep under and was just
looking for light above me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvtc69Uvj8PmZqoTFLxO-zMBJKsu6BdumhMfutSr2ZONQH36D-0x0Y7-LsnGio4moxpnCPGGp9HuP7Fu-Wt2VCEaYPktDwzPbwQjiE1pJBKhyphenhyphen5Cbip0t1L321mon2fQn7CL62tuB-Q4k/s1600/20151028_174819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvtc69Uvj8PmZqoTFLxO-zMBJKsu6BdumhMfutSr2ZONQH36D-0x0Y7-LsnGio4moxpnCPGGp9HuP7Fu-Wt2VCEaYPktDwzPbwQjiE1pJBKhyphenhyphen5Cbip0t1L321mon2fQn7CL62tuB-Q4k/s640/20151028_174819.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power of nature. Raging ocean with the setting sun...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When I got out to the surface I had some water in
my lungs already and was gasping for air, my goggles were partially torn off
full of water and I just wanted to get out. I “swam” a whole 0.1 mile that day
and since than got even more understanding and respect to the power of nature.
I realized how hopeless we are while in the grim of angry waters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 154.95pt;">
Next day wind died out, sun came out
fully and trails started getting back into shape. To Swim now was also possible
and I did plenty of it, not without major reserves however.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap0BMqDmRcN7SKmSDQDCQK5HjOl2E0PoAtc_Vciua6hR-XcT8-D3KLBdfmGVS6PT2Erlfwl-a9i-6pL9sluknPBaPYmYwHct5KABtM_ZpWrG252E6KB0ohDruEHRCkIGH62niufmHz5I/s1600/20151030_110622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap0BMqDmRcN7SKmSDQDCQK5HjOl2E0PoAtc_Vciua6hR-XcT8-D3KLBdfmGVS6PT2Erlfwl-a9i-6pL9sluknPBaPYmYwHct5KABtM_ZpWrG252E6KB0ohDruEHRCkIGH62niufmHz5I/s400/20151030_110622.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All those goofballs are waiting for traditional Acai Bowl!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 154.95pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 154.95pt;">
The pre-race Dinner with all 850
competitors from all around the world always is a treat and makes for a special
moment. It is always awesome to watch the video of XTERRA World Series on the
big screen showing what all the best competitors in the world had to go through
to qualify for this main event.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/144921243" target="_blank">20 Years of XTERRA</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/144325955" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2015 XTERRA World Championships Highlights</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/144921242" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">XTERRA Global Tour Video 2015</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/144321570" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The 2015 Maui Whip Macarena</a> </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 154.95pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 154.95pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOYKEQYMpPFhD0JyKv2LsdQV1BYqgqlIKZfWWTMvLlfh7XyvGgOmr_gd2YREUNBLKLy8K89rZ71mr6u5ieVDzJ6pryxaSQL-HuI6A5BOxdxp6TuCERbDgEZOC1RlhAqemQeqprdZdKak/s1600/20151030_165239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOYKEQYMpPFhD0JyKv2LsdQV1BYqgqlIKZfWWTMvLlfh7XyvGgOmr_gd2YREUNBLKLy8K89rZ71mr6u5ieVDzJ6pryxaSQL-HuI6A5BOxdxp6TuCERbDgEZOC1RlhAqemQeqprdZdKak/s320/20151030_165239.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm before the storm...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Every time a specific country
gets on the screen there is so much noise, shouting and clapping from those
that participated in that race. We didn’t see Poland yet this time but we will
have it up there next year when XTERRA Poland will go live. Looking forward
that!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 154.95pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Onto the Race</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Third time in the row top 10. As the saying goes third time
should be a charm, should be but it wasn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSjyZ7bJJw8ZW5yp_A_2iDAJqSCbn9pkcGLlIq0L1cPpTZDjqPgol76_Cn2stdz7YhSPRB1H79lUpCUcuxYYE2DarSv2lPQKpafKcgRLoZchHT494-WypdX33-WK_jEUYEy1aFJr3MZ4/s640/20151101_075059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning of the race, bike warm-up. It was pretty warm and humid already.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
7<sup>th</sup> place in the world many would consider
something to be very proud of and yes I’m not going to say that I am completely
disappointed, but I can’t say that I’m overly ecstatic. This is not to a cocky
attitude but rather to the simple reason to why things went the way they did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the most of the season I was not sure if Maui this year
will be my goal or not, to be honest I kept it almost to the last moment to
make the definite call to make this lengthy trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrSLQYBuCT0Fj65mMYq3qfmogEi8BorFXpD575tY5sII4yk-BU57F__iLkxPCa8OFHKYQfx-YA_F40E70p2bvzdNx5W7C1KSTqrvrv_QcrJbaWu4RBGV65mHk2udHD7Cjzn-gDcsG6aw/s1600/20151029_120517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrSLQYBuCT0Fj65mMYq3qfmogEi8BorFXpD575tY5sII4yk-BU57F__iLkxPCa8OFHKYQfx-YA_F40E70p2bvzdNx5W7C1KSTqrvrv_QcrJbaWu4RBGV65mHk2udHD7Cjzn-gDcsG6aw/s400/20151029_120517.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DT Flemming Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I already knew the course, knew the conditions, also was
aware this race doesn’t suit me. Last year finishing in the medical tent with
two IV bags didn’t make this decision easier on me.</div>
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<br />
I had to be pretty delusional thinking I could actually win
this race and make it to the podium.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The beautiful black dress hung for over a year in my closet
just because I didn't place last year and I refused to put it on even though
I completely adore it. I called it my “podium dress” and unfortunately after
crossing the finish line this year I said that’s it, I’m done waiting, I’m
wearing it. Maui podium will never happen for me and not because I’m not strong
enough of the triathlete but for other pretty frustrating reasons.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEAmv8j5-IPvdDGdNRiYOxolTF0jYXPunDvLY5RODSt1C-12f6pfmS81z0CYRT7WcDtvcUlynsYwer8un_CcBzWhTp2ZQs6elrrU_OOUi7veEURbpR4kKOqK5eSFpCZcZCXTFkVue8UI/s1600/CIMG6936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEAmv8j5-IPvdDGdNRiYOxolTF0jYXPunDvLY5RODSt1C-12f6pfmS81z0CYRT7WcDtvcUlynsYwer8un_CcBzWhTp2ZQs6elrrU_OOUi7veEURbpR4kKOqK5eSFpCZcZCXTFkVue8UI/s320/CIMG6936.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And my bike just turned into the Fatty!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When I got home I pulled finally all the results and put
them on a spreadsheet, the numbers I saw were pretty disturbing. I was 3<sup>rd</sup>
US woman, and the two girls that placed first and second and got on the podium
were now 3x AG World Champion and 1x World Champion and this year 2<sup>nd</sup>
place. I finished before the last year’s champion twice this year on Pro Point Series
events. They never beat me on the bike course ever before. This time around however
not only did they both beat me by a great margin but also had faster bike
splits than myself. I felt sick seeing those results and even more unhappy
knowing how actually well I felt during the race. I did everything good and as
planned during the race, but still was so much off.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
For once it is the treacherous swim that takes you all the
way out in the ocean and back instead of swimming slightly closer to the beach in the more parallel to the shore way and traditional triathlon triangle or
rectangle. This makes for one pretty scary swim especially with so many people
in the water at the same time and also because the conditions are always here
very rough.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Secondly, the bike course is not too technical, it is
improving a little bit year by year but still it is very far off of what a mountain
bike course should be like. I would know as I race quite a few mountain bike
races and there is a lot to be done to make this course a true mountain biker’s
dream destination. This ride is suited more for the climber with a roadie power
engine and minimal biking skills. This for sure doesn’t allow me to excel since
I can’t utilize much of my biking skills and get any gap.</div>
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The third and most crucial point is that this is pretty much
a mass start and a mass race. With 850 people going off at the same time it
becomes as unfair as it can get.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORxhDzXs0eAchD0N5fyN2gltzPA7PdXRloWMw2JNVRnYlZga0P_ZHu4bKr3x8BDLScYzBCyJt80uoJ_p-CkSsPnjKIp-KBEmupZv8q9MaGkUeEG067sC_BbLILt9_eHe5OCgNWPHhh3M/s1600/CIMG6944.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORxhDzXs0eAchD0N5fyN2gltzPA7PdXRloWMw2JNVRnYlZga0P_ZHu4bKr3x8BDLScYzBCyJt80uoJ_p-CkSsPnjKIp-KBEmupZv8q9MaGkUeEG067sC_BbLILt9_eHe5OCgNWPHhh3M/s640/CIMG6944.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super girls with their bikes. From right: Katherine, Debby, Christine and Myself. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Don’t get me wrong I love this sport and I have committed
many years of my personal time to keep racing and improving that’s why I feel
it is important for me to say what I have to say in order to make things better
for everyone who wishes to compete in this race in the future.</div>
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First there was the Pro Women and Men start. Five minutes
later all age group men, then another five minutes all amateur women went off.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This was a good thing to happen for the swim, since it was
not as congested and I started catching up to the slower swimming men on the
way to the second buoy. The problem was I was surrounded by the full back of
the men’s field right from the start of the bike leg. The heat was overwhelming that day,
almost no wind, full sun, high humidity and almost no shade. Plus, we started
at 9 am, which at Maui time is late, really late so it was pretty scorching hot
before the swim begun.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0sJDJcJP7jWJi6SXNEF0NB1-C23mVgRJVd7hxJK2uRHK9RbeGn_aMnd8kkeuu4voZUZDw_9JvLR472QkrOuXfp0mFH9uRbVg19GUl8SLbVEFUYXskWjXQQ9BJMQZnhcyeWnK1DATNbc/s640/20151101_083335.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before my race start. 850 competitors awaiting on the water's edge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br />
I was really not looking forward the swim, it is really
intimidating here, but ocean was calm like never before just for me what felt
like and I was going to try to take advantage of it and take all the doubt out.
It was pretty wonderful right after the start, when all the men swam away I was
swimming over the coral rocks. It made an illusion that it is more shallow that
it actually was. I enjoyed this part and it kept me calm. The idea was to keep
this calm going after at some point the rocks were going to end and drop off to
the bottom floor. Now it got deeper and I could still see sand all the way
down. The calm conditions gave us great visibility unlike the other years. I
kept searching for the buoy and it was still way far in the ocean, no matter
how far you got it was still super far away. I was hoping I will not freak out
being that far away from the shore with all those people around me. But I was
fine, almost forgetting I was racing. I was in this weird peace and approached
the first buoy wide. My problem was going back since some people kept going to
the right on an angle instead of turning back. I had a problem crossing over
the left side since all the masses where on my left. I just hoped I would not
get pushed too far to the right on my way back and kept monitoring my status.
The current had to be pretty weak this day since I really didn’t drift that
much away from the half way beach exit and run.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUElcM7-8LvvKLBtA-W3Ssw66lmHPSrZDuJYqSEQacWsCunpHe6Np9gxYitdwzxUiggFWdZ1fLMaX4Shuq8xXPmIv-_WomE7wKp5sEOuMhixUoPq4RpKbJ7bt6mrA8BN84vDl-J0L3S7w/s1600/_BDW7358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUElcM7-8LvvKLBtA-W3Ssw66lmHPSrZDuJYqSEQacWsCunpHe6Np9gxYitdwzxUiggFWdZ1fLMaX4Shuq8xXPmIv-_WomE7wKp5sEOuMhixUoPq4RpKbJ7bt6mrA8BN84vDl-J0L3S7w/s640/_BDW7358.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting out after lap 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR6lUPF4fI95rIgEs0IUYH8ypm8B9m61-i0nw4uUm5uOo58LsfbdluVnLV1BvGWnTb24o2ayWencadhKfXfosfZzhKgjGGpZBMgl5t0XU40qxsEMZC9plu45_pxvUuzJ22hvChyXsRQY/s1600/_BDW7449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR6lUPF4fI95rIgEs0IUYH8ypm8B9m61-i0nw4uUm5uOo58LsfbdluVnLV1BvGWnTb24o2ayWencadhKfXfosfZzhKgjGGpZBMgl5t0XU40qxsEMZC9plu45_pxvUuzJ22hvChyXsRQY/s400/_BDW7449.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And done</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Shortly I headed for the next round to the next buoy. Now
women and men started to mix together, for sure you can tell you are surrounded
by men since things get more chaotic and I will start getting pushed around
more. What was keeping me calm was the view of the few people sitting on the
surf boards near the buoy in the middle of the ocean as they were having a picnic.
It made me feel more at ease, I aimed for the chatty group and didn’t feel like
I’m alone in the middle of nowhere 400 meters away from the shore. It got a little
rougher on the way back but still not too bad. I could see the calm and
wrinkled sandy bottom all the way out here. It was calming and I was focusing
on that view since it was the only thing that seemed was not moving. I was
surrounded by plenty of swimmers now coming close to the shore, it was getting
crowded again. And it was going to be this way for the rest of my race here. I
run to T1 and was happy to grab my bike. First was the golf cart path up.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lv3ZJYf32W-Skvho0yP7DzLjUQx2CihZt4KMg3tmDVZq3HFXdbSCAsc9CIptMTX_pqpPT7NzxSW2N0wL3LAApvW3yUpq0VoCJxTLB5_s__EzoLnmBCRrcQTMZYzczNMJqMOBSajdNFI/s1600/_BDW7462.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lv3ZJYf32W-Skvho0yP7DzLjUQx2CihZt4KMg3tmDVZq3HFXdbSCAsc9CIptMTX_pqpPT7NzxSW2N0wL3LAApvW3yUpq0VoCJxTLB5_s__EzoLnmBCRrcQTMZYzczNMJqMOBSajdNFI/s640/_BDW7462.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now it's time to get to work. Rushing out from T1 onto grueling 8 mile climb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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By the time I hit the trails we were burning. Row of riders
were covering the single track. From the second one I started my passing
journey, one by one or whole groups at the time. It didn’t make a difference if
I was on the trail or on the golf cart path, simply I was getting burnt by the sun and was crowded by people who were also suffering on this brutal never ending climb and often were walking their bikes. I tried to organize traffic as much as I could since I
ended up having to pick the worst lines and ride on the loose rocks and grass
or slime in order to keep passing people who were much slower or even worst
were walking their bikes. One time I passed few riders on the climb, flew fast on the short grassy downhill and made sharp left turn into the next climb. It was a slimy corner and my bike just wiped sideways without warning. Now those that I passed went by me and seconds later when I was back on the bike I was passing them once again. I was very proud of my progress I really gave
everything I had on those climbs, on the whole 10 miles of climbing. I don’t
know how this heat didn’t get to me, how I didn’t simply pass out. My heart
rate was often maxed out and I kept on pushing, I did everything I could right,
I made it first time ever all the way to the top of the Razor ridge without
putting my foot down. </div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIchbWK4bjxKFoorskXHMjaRbPtKV6Ule9ePl8AaTGaNutfeoCApjsnVA4MiiUFeQM6tr1fHlFaJ0VcSycFdVBJ65X_sQFqF5or3PdyT7b9dh-4Iq03CD7vfjHq533D3LAYbmZ-N1qHpE/s1600/_BDW7788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIchbWK4bjxKFoorskXHMjaRbPtKV6Ule9ePl8AaTGaNutfeoCApjsnVA4MiiUFeQM6tr1fHlFaJ0VcSycFdVBJ65X_sQFqF5or3PdyT7b9dh-4Iq03CD7vfjHq533D3LAYbmZ-N1qHpE/s400/_BDW7788.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covered in mud. On the single track. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Everyone next to me gave up and walked the last part, I
was fighting all the way to the top. The burn was excruciating but I knew the
moment I put my foot down it was not going to feel any better. Pushing the bike up on this grade at this stage of the race
hurts as much and doesn’t bring any better results. So I kept on cranking. When
I got to the top and the trail opened up to this beautiful view I just wanted
to look around and admire the scenery. I noticed a photographer sitting high up
on a tree, I was ready to start speeding up, however all those riders were
right in front of me going at a much slower pace. From there on I was always
behind someone, always going slower than I would want to, it was getting more
and more difficult to pass. On the “stinky crack” section filled with pig mud
the mushed up nastiness was deep, soft and much worse than on the pre-ride.
Everyone here in front of me stopped. At some point there were people to the
left, right and a girl right in front, she just stopped and stood there, just staring
at the never ending pile of mud. I was stuck right behind her, finally after a
while I asked her, getting pretty frustrated, if she was going to actually do
something or she will just keep standing there. Finally, I went around pretty
much everyone and started running in the mud. I tried to encourage people to go, I yelled “This is good for your skin, keep on moving”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tackled the second climb to the top of the mountain also,
now it was even hotter and more painful. I kept making passes, the red dirt was
like hot fire and it was showing in everyone around, we all suffered. After
getting finally to the top we were directed quickly what used to be a plunge
but now was a set of left and right carved turns in a grassy field. I was never
sure what to make out of it and the same happened this time. Kind of very
meaningless section. We would go to the downhill faster parts and then go
through some slower parts a few times. I think I had someone catching up to me
and hitting brakes really hard and slamming so terribly bad and sideways full
speed to the ground. I heard the loudest helmet hit anyone could hear, I wondered
and yelled to the person if they were OK. No one replied, we were going so fast
probably 20 mph therefore in a matter of seconds I was gone. I called the first
trail patrol person I found. Since than my descending did slow down, I realized
how dangerous was going so fast on such a sketchy downhill. When I got to the
bottom and traversed through the grassy paths to the other side we went to the
last long and miserable climb. For some reasons it didn’t feel as bad as last
year where my mind really wanted to give up my body was in so much pain going on
the steep angle another mile nonstop up. This time I did handle it well and
made a lot of additional passes. Later was a new half a mile of just cut grass
and some passage through the trees and into my favorite section of the whole
bike course, Pine Forest and everything that comes after it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yPeZn6TdfWJBXBWscK1SIlfh1sSCGmpNzc8kicpm4yhDqJZVAh-vtPZcDZjIYRT4yrw0dROkh_MTrl47pYFHekCC8yJeukzQEjjsYRpfrLW7ey63cgqYtU0c1s2eu4GPO7OHWVNx-RQ/s1600/CIMG6932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yPeZn6TdfWJBXBWscK1SIlfh1sSCGmpNzc8kicpm4yhDqJZVAh-vtPZcDZjIYRT4yrw0dROkh_MTrl47pYFHekCC8yJeukzQEjjsYRpfrLW7ey63cgqYtU0c1s2eu4GPO7OHWVNx-RQ/s640/CIMG6932.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here we are, infamous "stinky crack". Disgusting, deep, smelly mud section. Christine got it covered! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was actually pretty fun and seems like it is somewhat improving
each year, single track here and there and grassy switchbacks on the other
parts. Those final 5 miles are actually what the whole course should be like throughout
this whole race. I was looking forward to this section and hoped to get some
good time on it. The funny part was that the bike leg was almost over and I
didn’t even see my main girls that I was supposed to catch on the bike. I knew
that since I didn’t see them as of yet my chances of getting to top 3 were seriously sliding away. And then I just got completely depressed. While we
approached the smallest rooty sections with little downhill and switchbacks
everyone started hitting their brakes and started going in a snail pace or
simply was getting off the bike. I said “bike people” but this was good for
nothing. I just shook my head and knew my race is pretty much over. The row of
people ahead of me was never ending, after all, the whole 600 men were ahead of
me and not all of them were faster bikers than myself. I ended up racing
hundreds of men instead of racing women, and especially women in my group for
the world title. Even though I kept on trying it took my desire to push even
harder and keep on trying. I said to myself in a sad voice “this is not
mountain biking” I didn’t know anymore what I was doing here and why. Felt I was going
even slower than on my pre-ride. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly my whole attitude changed. I was
going what felt like half speed that I was capable of pulling, I didn’t feel
any longer like I was racing. It was a ride, it was a slow group ride that just
didn’t feel right. The track was really enjoyable at times but how could I have
enjoyed it? I knew my dreams will never come true and it is not even my fault.
I calculated that between myself and my friend I was chasing there were 448
racers since she was much faster on the swim, I passed 200 out of them on the
bike. This race for sure favors swimmers and punishes bikers big time. The bike
leg would have to be twice as lot for me to pass another 200 people and catch
up to my girls. I hit the final miles as good as I could and tried not to give
up, I got my first split, I was some 8 places down. This took my spirit away
even more since I knew I’m not a terrific runner. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEC5lspcSx2kCX_VJOEZrdXiQHlGw7wi6Pu7Nkt6TOTjC_xhBeFDO8IVRjH3MPVeEzZpvcMDSGZF2JHXWLy0NUX-1c5yQE4xNyxcYGDdD7zCdpGb-qzOznBewKSnJ2mEnaS5Ug7xztBw/s1600/20151029_162227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEC5lspcSx2kCX_VJOEZrdXiQHlGw7wi6Pu7Nkt6TOTjC_xhBeFDO8IVRjH3MPVeEzZpvcMDSGZF2JHXWLy0NUX-1c5yQE4xNyxcYGDdD7zCdpGb-qzOznBewKSnJ2mEnaS5Ug7xztBw/s400/20151029_162227.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some slick parts on the run.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I went to transition and for the lengthy over 3 mile long
climb. It hurt, but once again not as bad as it did last year, I was making
good progress and kept on moving. It was extremely challenging at some parts,
especially the steepest sections but somehow I kept passing people, I know that
I passed more people that actually passed me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That was good, but once again
even though I was progressing forward I had this feeling I was not going <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as fast as I could have. I had my Clif Gel on
the beginning of the run but soon after felt like I could have used some more.
I didn’t put any more nutrition on my belt however and all I had now was just
my flask with water.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqquCn0KGMb8AG-wKgV5ywhlilXpLM6oeLuaHBvt2jiSGbHKg_vkYHvPMEp7dagoA7kcUBt8ihqTdiQezU85NDP5I3-gYPmL0vNhnDm0TMxsBHXZQqSzCyyPZzXAA7d2C7dvGdShuQZsM/s1600/20151029_162941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqquCn0KGMb8AG-wKgV5ywhlilXpLM6oeLuaHBvt2jiSGbHKg_vkYHvPMEp7dagoA7kcUBt8ihqTdiQezU85NDP5I3-gYPmL0vNhnDm0TMxsBHXZQqSzCyyPZzXAA7d2C7dvGdShuQZsM/s640/20151029_162941.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite part of the run. Numerous logs and obstacles, it just keeps getting better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h2MIlakZpK2HUyLUMZv7Iip17j9GP8dlRSG6ul36mmnmhr63wzp0QKmdYD6zAO6H2Bpcp16jwq_jx90cpTb2XtkLv8jTSL8yjawW87E2g3L3Rv6GnSGnh_Jvi0VfQxBQxF1BWdLQWGI/s1600/_BDW7794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h2MIlakZpK2HUyLUMZv7Iip17j9GP8dlRSG6ul36mmnmhr63wzp0QKmdYD6zAO6H2Bpcp16jwq_jx90cpTb2XtkLv8jTSL8yjawW87E2g3L3Rv6GnSGnh_Jvi0VfQxBQxF1BWdLQWGI/s400/_BDW7794.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somehow feeling pretty good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It
was great to finally get to the lake and top of the climb and start heading
down. This time I actually could run the whole 3 miles down. I like the
technical parts of the course and made sure to enjoy them when I was there. The
numerous log hopping, scaling the steep climbs and after a miserable concrete
climb going to final descent under the bridge and through the dry creek and
onto the beach.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was doing great and feeling great too and kind of thinking
that possibly I felt too well, maybe I should have pushed more. I should have
been way more exhausted. After all last year I was fighting here to survive and
making a step was a world of pain and agony. Now I was speeding down feeling
good not realizing I have been racing already for almost 4 hours. It was the
longest race in Maui ever. Mileage for bike and run were slightly longer
therefore everyone’s times are showing as such. The final miles on the beach
went by and I loved people cheering for me while tackling this deep sand and
final grassy uphill into the finishing shoot. I didn’t expect to get emotional,
but for some reasons once again I did and simply teared up on the finish line.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvikOjkXfskh1PSQ3SwtIEiQhWjR3EgIO_0rq49MGYkUbt-1T2UFl50NtBwH87HiAq3mWZuswh8CAADaEleL2eaYtXi2MS6u2CRZ78O_FijIAJIqBgM2-ZuTM3lC4J3XxB6rfcqrwYig4/s1600/12194559_10154361106036110_5461272907379481690_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvikOjkXfskh1PSQ3SwtIEiQhWjR3EgIO_0rq49MGYkUbt-1T2UFl50NtBwH87HiAq3mWZuswh8CAADaEleL2eaYtXi2MS6u2CRZ78O_FijIAJIqBgM2-ZuTM3lC4J3XxB6rfcqrwYig4/s640/12194559_10154361106036110_5461272907379481690_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here we are once again. It was a lengthy journey to this finish line but I got there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to win this race, I wanted to be on this podium, I
wanted to race well. I have to be really more than satisfied with everything
that I did logistic wise, I nailed everything as far as drinking and nutrition,
I never felt better than this before on this tough course. I could have had an even
better result. I placed 7 but was only short two minutes to the next girl and
within five to two other ones. I find this very plausible and really believe I
belong easily in the top 3.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5wfC-AYhcsKCf1bknxC1VeSy40ztkVKk6283sjj4DEUFhJyRTdHktKD3RnjHxkdTmo8xf4teJDH0oWDiVzaNSMpA90q2MvmzNhsDYB4vIKR-mC7-ta-1ii_zZfZ2VFHDyLhEEjKaDLc/s1600/20151101_135228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5wfC-AYhcsKCf1bknxC1VeSy40ztkVKk6283sjj4DEUFhJyRTdHktKD3RnjHxkdTmo8xf4teJDH0oWDiVzaNSMpA90q2MvmzNhsDYB4vIKR-mC7-ta-1ii_zZfZ2VFHDyLhEEjKaDLc/s400/20151101_135228.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katherine did awesome today!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On the finish line there were still 150 competitors between
myself and the girl that I was trying to surpass. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not an ideal scenario, not what one wants to hear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really wish that in the future this race will be run in
the ITU format where Pro’s, Age Group Men and Age Group Women are going to have
a separate race.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
This is the only way to make it a true World Championship
and give everyone a fair shot at winning. My bike split was ten to fifteen minutes slower to what it
should be because I did come out of the water several hundred people behind
that I was not even racing. The Pro Women were chased down by hundreds of age
group men of which slower ones ended up in my way. I think this is really not
conducive in any way to anyone who trains the whole year and strives to show
what they are made of in a world class event and find themselves struggling and
battling a bunch of people from all different classes and not be able to race
their own race.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/12189183_475396475974686_827842983814883640_n.jpg?oh=281bb884074d6fff8a9328a993816724&oe=56AF568C" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="fbPhotoImage img" height="400" id="fbPhotoImage" src="https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/12189183_475396475974686_827842983814883640_n.jpg?oh=281bb884074d6fff8a9328a993816724&oe=56AF568C" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here it is, finisher medal and lei flowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
This is a magic island with for sure great possibilities to
have a world class event but some things need to change.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxCrVv5F6XvBNDTzNTJTnoBSCBKrA-pxqADJ_Z6VKjDmX8celabD-Yk4Bj17HBKCdmVDWbBlZSIfgm4ejzRnJtRjFdkp7RdstCIBinZx7hhD0wlNQ-7PgvlUhCm_LXp_0RTRg3BY9cFM/s1600/Greg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxCrVv5F6XvBNDTzNTJTnoBSCBKrA-pxqADJ_Z6VKjDmX8celabD-Yk4Bj17HBKCdmVDWbBlZSIfgm4ejzRnJtRjFdkp7RdstCIBinZx7hhD0wlNQ-7PgvlUhCm_LXp_0RTRg3BY9cFM/s640/Greg.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was awesome to have Greg Welch on the finish line announcing my name. Neat!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congratulations to those who realized their dreams that day
in Maui.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUc7yBNFng7SpP_vUKIHN-Kcmm8ZxGeIfi97uvoWMTXmy2dLLXYeBzgsZrtnJMmo7ipKCaW-4NEZyCFZieu1irvpFKNYqTaFTBUJKJ7q7Kb0DLdu4G-1QAF5ykBxc162GjyAU7Zr89uZA/s640/_BDW7839.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is one serious group of girls! From right: Mimi, Kelli, Margo and I.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Monster hugs to those that I met, spent a wonderful time
with, shared this experience with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUrcxcJBcxYVQdCuiiSpQwJnPbgeXJVsSGswbf19yNf2ls7eSEUI6glcNWfn_ky5Hofc1Ws44-padNl-bGYgyJRpYkqf7iF5Q-asrEsuSG-VdX2MF9nal00e43qcw-f0FQ0-O0sG6JOI/s1600/20151103_114751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUrcxcJBcxYVQdCuiiSpQwJnPbgeXJVsSGswbf19yNf2ls7eSEUI6glcNWfn_ky5Hofc1Ws44-padNl-bGYgyJRpYkqf7iF5Q-asrEsuSG-VdX2MF9nal00e43qcw-f0FQ0-O0sG6JOI/s400/20151103_114751.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boogie board time. Spending some fun time with my Pax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Even though I write here mostly of my racing adventure and
my placing this trip was so much more than that.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4Dc9Yia5O8smShOdjhpZ0Pu_Z-9uOoNfhhTbPxawB2SYEIiVZT7EW_8vwk1iuBoIRQysqq_nR_JzlX2DpClcwQlDIZjFF1mQYvaaUD-H3WpQXBXltqgKW_PYvJUDf6JbEb_qlnnHh10/s400/20151103_114833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="381" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got some nice waves. Not on this picture however! lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We did some sweet biking around Kapalua with breathtaking
views from the cliffs. We did a beautiful sunset walk and cliff jumps. Swam in
the coral reefs and had an awesome time boogie boarding and chasing sea
turtles. We honestly had such a good time that leaving this paradise brought us
both teary eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So going back to where I started my husband asked me if I
would have done it if I knew how I was going to place. It would be yes and no
at the same time. I feel the result was not the fair one but at the same time I
gained so much from this trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp28C3Mr_xMpYiZPqfm2CZfzf-u3pLhnn5IhusmDfgtoQeiaD3jvG95ctZcs-YAQ7xNoHPK-82iMAZPPI3IMPlIJYj9MBBt_ayS7JJFJv2vA_Dg7GXkZRNBCyebZuGUn7mcwpgzzFHpz8/s1600/20151102_134739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp28C3Mr_xMpYiZPqfm2CZfzf-u3pLhnn5IhusmDfgtoQeiaD3jvG95ctZcs-YAQ7xNoHPK-82iMAZPPI3IMPlIJYj9MBBt_ayS7JJFJv2vA_Dg7GXkZRNBCyebZuGUn7mcwpgzzFHpz8/s640/20151102_134739.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ride with a view. This coastline goes and goes and it's so tough to stop biking. Views are spectacular.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned a lot about myself once again. I managed to look straight at and overcome my fears and my weaknesses. I had the most wonderful time
enjoying the gorgeous views and lifestyle that Maui offers. The nature here is
quite spectacular with all the native plants and birds. Never ending beaches,
cliffs, sweeping ocean views are breathtaking. Constant sound of the wind and
smashing waves.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But even more impact on me impressed the contact with all
that I had an opportunity to share this time with. I can’t describe how
important and powerful it was to see people even for the smallest moments from
all different parts of the country and the world and share this time together.
I loved seeing my friends that I didn’t see for the longest time and also had the
most wonderful and kick ass roommates who made this trip really interesting and
fun. Debby had an awesome race in the Pro class, Katherine raced her heart out
in her age group and placed overall in top 5 in the amateur class. And
Christine tackled the course skillfully and by finishing it she also put the
final stamp on her incredible XTERRA Pro racing carrier. It was quite an honor
to be part of that and share this moment with such an inspiring always on top
of women’s field racer.<br />
<br />
And there was the Award ceremony dinner when we all made our
way dressed and ready to put all the racing and wondering behind and just set
to enjoy the night. I ended up wearing my dress which was meant only for
podium, sadly I didn’t make it there once again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeHqyBj_WxDdDLPPz-6JQW-Uwy1LtlJ308I-e7ZFbWvasMKnuRrQhUGlc6upVnAKjbXeIihBfYxB7KMVzAyl2OpEjuDg5bdtwbE22PWcEyIndBLTyvU85v5I3N0Ld_j2djG933gfm-E0/s1600/20151101_230108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeHqyBj_WxDdDLPPz-6JQW-Uwy1LtlJ308I-e7ZFbWvasMKnuRrQhUGlc6upVnAKjbXeIihBfYxB7KMVzAyl2OpEjuDg5bdtwbE22PWcEyIndBLTyvU85v5I3N0Ld_j2djG933gfm-E0/s640/20151101_230108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha! XTERRA Hallowing Party done right! We got here Suzie and her "Wad" half, Karla, Christine, Debby, Katherine, Myself and Pax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQvAco8nWuVyG3x-ef1plpKLo7N5sUj3LWnVazsLAfuJPfUr6jn0iXkUvpTZZtVzb01E_b9AE2kj1-PcqvxMivAET8PkIRpibsNce5J2BnhDf4QbSsQcZBDQiWDi_JWnhU2muxW6-D2o/s1600/20151030_090722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQvAco8nWuVyG3x-ef1plpKLo7N5sUj3LWnVazsLAfuJPfUr6jn0iXkUvpTZZtVzb01E_b9AE2kj1-PcqvxMivAET8PkIRpibsNce5J2BnhDf4QbSsQcZBDQiWDi_JWnhU2muxW6-D2o/s400/20151030_090722.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caveman taking off for a ride...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The powerful and special moment for me was when legendary
Caveman Conrad Stoltz, 4x XTERRA World Champion walked on the main stage telling
his story to us all about his love for this sport and the people while
announcing his retirement from competitive racing. At the same moment he was
being added to the XTERRA Hall of Fame.<br />
<br />
Also Emma Garrard and Josiah Middaugh made their dreams come true this year.<br />
<br />
Emma got 3rd after many years of trying and getting closer and closer, and Josiah finally won his first World Champion Title after 15 years of attempts. Congratulations!<br />
<br />
After that was a crazy XTERRA Halloween
Costume Party which was really fun and I am not sure how I and everyone else
had so much energy to stay up that long and dance away…<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXntkQbZf7zfIltp-Fm5eiJDhg6Hqdl7FX0zf8zeumTk3tgncgfTCWi0MNglCc1qh_GqiYg_dAFRo2uVQvJjMKXUK-vEXvyyRiDmzSv6BNrsg14QR-H_cahOj50E7gRKiULVEUgxey5rA/s1600/20151102_162606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXntkQbZf7zfIltp-Fm5eiJDhg6Hqdl7FX0zf8zeumTk3tgncgfTCWi0MNglCc1qh_GqiYg_dAFRo2uVQvJjMKXUK-vEXvyyRiDmzSv6BNrsg14QR-H_cahOj50E7gRKiULVEUgxey5rA/s400/20151102_162606.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Todd and I testing our TT skills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I also did bring my table tennis racket to Maui to play
with a friend, my game was a little rusty but we had lots of fun for sure.
Thank you Todd for convincing me into packing my TT gear!<br />
<br />
I could not have experienced all of that if I stayed home.<br />
<br />
There is so much more to triathlon racing than just racing.<br />
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This is what I love about this sport…</div>
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Huge Thanks to my Pax for making this beautiful journey come
true and taking care of everything that need to be done, all I had left was
just focusing on my race.<br />
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Thank you also to everyone else with whom my path crossed wile in Maui, therefore contributing to this amazing experience. All those times will be greatly cherished and remembered.<br />
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Also to all my friends and family at home who were cheering me on and following my progress.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GLgrk2j4S2FfAZULy7EO55ZdlDGEVbG6PqQdNSt6q0ZhlamUtf6qqgKogSPWYI_zlPBj-_8YNxIU6WVeVkn7W3Zha72MoYaCl740xFxSjq09S04tGW_ipmVcED1p1QHaxbB2poQpbfc/s1600/20151102_133823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GLgrk2j4S2FfAZULy7EO55ZdlDGEVbG6PqQdNSt6q0ZhlamUtf6qqgKogSPWYI_zlPBj-_8YNxIU6WVeVkn7W3Zha72MoYaCl740xFxSjq09S04tGW_ipmVcED1p1QHaxbB2poQpbfc/s640/20151102_133823.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recovery ride with in awesome company and never ending ocean view...</td></tr>
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Next year I will be tackling this again but this time with Josiah's help. This will be my first year with a coach as I have accomplished what I have so far with just Pax and I and recent help from Christine Jeffery. What will 2016 bring???<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5brY5HzokppcI66a4uxr2N7FAeBrcotSocRUWaO7HNByHyiHE8MzmKPuCy8udz6wO9JpRfSeEPcwZZ6a_V7r1xmVsaoMmGxocjt4LlkaKXfdjpQXJsbNbFU1GSdE7CFwyDSiCB79zLI/s1600/20151102_092550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5brY5HzokppcI66a4uxr2N7FAeBrcotSocRUWaO7HNByHyiHE8MzmKPuCy8udz6wO9JpRfSeEPcwZZ6a_V7r1xmVsaoMmGxocjt4LlkaKXfdjpQXJsbNbFU1GSdE7CFwyDSiCB79zLI/s640/20151102_092550.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Napili Beach</td></tr>
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As always big thank you to all the supporters who as
always stood beside me and provided with all the tools needed for a successful
season.<br />
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Thank you for my incredible supporters for allowing me to race with the best gear and products imaginable. <br />
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Always Thank you goes to:</div>
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Syntace, Magura, Stan’s Notubes, Schwalbe, ESI Grips, Clif, Xpedo,
Trainer Road, Garden of Life, Kuat Racks, Light
& Motion, KT Tape, Cycleops, Suunto, Salomon, Huub and for 2014 - Mack Cycles, Oakley,
Pocketfinder, Specialized, Louis Garneau, KMC
Chains and Rotor Bike Components and New for 2015 - Health Fit Chiropractic, Enduro Bearings, K-Edge and SelleSMP</div>
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Beata Wronskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00384451287469332730noreply@blogger.com1