1, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com) 20.32.44
2, Ivonne Kraft (Squirt Lube) 22.07.21
3, Wendy Lyall (Yeti Beti) 25.08.30
4, Sara Uhl (Space Cowgirls) 26.23.39
5, Jill Damman (Fitzgeralds/Ibex Clothing) 26.33.07
jiLL daMMan |
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Last day of Breck Epic and finishing it with 37 miles and 6,000' climbing. I felt great coming to the start and ready to race. It was everything that I hoped for with new and old friends riding next to me and heading into a great day of single track and dirt roads. Zooming downhill and pushing the limits uphill I had a smile from ear to ear coming into the finish line. My time today was 2:54. Felt short compared to the other days :O) Top 5 Pro Women 1, Pua Sawicki (Okolestuff.com) 20.32.44 2, Ivonne Kraft (Squirt Lube) 22.07.21 3, Wendy Lyall (Yeti Beti) 25.08.30 4, Sara Uhl (Space Cowgirls) 26.23.39 5, Jill Damman (Fitzgeralds/Ibex Clothing) 26.33.07 Photo taken by Yuki Saito
2 Comments
You know when it's going to be a long day when you go to the start with baby wipes stashed in your saddle bag. I think I lost 5 pounds this morning. Stage 5 - The Wheeler Loop - 40miles and 7300' of climbing. Went to the top 12,500 feet!!! Time 4:25 and came in 6th place.
My best bud arrived last night so after the race we headed to Idaho Springs for Gluten Free pizza at Beau Jo's and a mug full of Tommy Knockers root beer . This was exactly what I needed to restore lots of lost calories. I have officially entered the hurt locker! Today was a total beating... of course in a good way. It was Stage 4 and consisted of time 4:52, 41 miles and 7300' of climbing. The first descent was interesting when "Minnesota boy" crashed in front of me and I dodged him and his bike by riding right down the middle. Then I "tried" to get a gap on Wendy (3rd place) on Keystone Gultch but in the end she caught me at the top and this was at mile 25. Her and I rode together for 3 1/2 hours and had a blast. She's super nice and she took me over narrow bridges that I would have never done on my own. Today I got 4th again and moved up in the GC to 5th place. Photo taken by Yuki Saito. Yowza that was a good stage. Today's stage was called Guyot and consisted of 44 miles, 9400' climbing and peaking out at 12,000 feet and crossing the continental divide twice. I experienced, sun, rain, cold and sun again. I'm so happy I was wearing my trusty Ibex wool jersey and arm warmers because it was a bit nippley up there. My time today was 4:53 and couldn't have ask for a better day of riding. After my post wash/look over of the bike I noticed when I spun my rear wheel it would stop after a few rotations. Had the onsite "Organic Mechanic" take a look... what do you know my rear brakes are toast. Thanking my lucky stars the brakes got me through the finish. They also switched out my tube to tubeless again. These guys seriously are awesome. If you ever need a mobile mechanic for a race or training camp you should hire them. This morning I met a Hammer Nutrition racer from Whitefish, MT (Clint) who knows a lot of the same people that I do. Super nice and was telling him how I ran out of Perpetuem and he totally got me the hook up tonight with a bottle of it. Thank you! Today I got 4th and moved up to 6th for GC. Tomorrow is day 4 and extra bonus Andy arrives!!! Maui jim Atoll Mike McCormack (Breck Epic guru), ? and Kathy Organic Mechanic
Finally feeling a connection with the Colorado trails and spider monkey AKA Orbea Alma. Today's stage was 41 miles and 7200' of climbing. I rode most of the the day with a gal who descends crazy fast. I followed her lead as we leaped frog over guys (who were all from Minnesota heehee!). Her name was "Mi" and she's from Quebec. Thanks Breck Epic for a great day because today was exactly what I needed!
My overall GC is 8th place and I have a lot of time to make up to redeem myself from Sunday's flat. Now it's time to find some food in the fridge to give me the endurance for tomorrow. Okay I'm admitting to it! Andy (my husband) is a life saver and him not being here to cook, clean my bikes and give me massages is humbling me. I miss him and his pre/post race talks too. Okay pizza is done and time to EAT! PS: The people staying upstairs please stop running around... it's driving me bonkers. LOL. At Amazing Grace Health Foods on Lincoln for a tasty strawberry, blueberry smoothie. At the finish at Carter Park. My face isn't pretty anyway. 42 miles, 6100' climbing and 5 hours later I finished. Today didn't exactly go as planned at mile 30 my side wall blew out with stans and all. Ended up getting in my first run of the season... 3 miles of it to aid station 3 and watching all my competitors pass me bye bye. I didn't let this bring me down as I was welcomed with a new tire and tube to get me on the last 12 miles. Thank you “Organic Mechanic”! I was able to pass 3 girls but not enough time to catch up on the 40 minutes of running downhill. Yeah, my knee is feeling it already. I have recovered, soaked in cold water with epson salt and drinking lots of fluids. You know what... tomorrow is a new day. Congrats though to the girls that did so well. Pua, Ivonne and Tammy on the first stage. The UPS delivery was for me! I was so surprised to get an amazing Osprey Raptor 6 pack from my friends at Mountain Stuff. You all are truly great to think of me and my adventures. Breck Epic here I come!
Wearing my new Osprey pack in the photo below along with Ibex indie cycling jersey and Maui Jim's Dawn Patrol sunnies. Sunnies are a must when it comes to cycling... you need that eye protection from sun, bugs, mud and seeing the trails/road clearly. Maui Jim has brought me on board with them to put there sunglasses to the test. I really enjoy the clarity and how light they are. I have been wearing MJ's for the past year and my favorite's are Hanalei as seen in the photo below.
Thank you Maui Jim and I will be enjoying all my new sunnies. I had a great time on Sunday exploring with Andy. We rode from Kelly Warm Springs to Bear Paw Fork. Great fun to check out trails I have never ridden before. Which means hike-a-bike sections and maps were involved.
Next up is Breck Epic Stage Race August 22-27. I'm racing my first multi day mountain bike stage race and doing it solo. The stages look like this: Penn Creek Stage: 41.6mi, 7900' Colorado Trail Stage: 41.6mi, 6207' Aqueduct Stage: 43mi, 7000' Guyot Stage: 37.5mi, 6618' Wheeler Stage: 37.7mi, 6696' Gold Dust Stage: 32.6mi, 3774' Yeah my legs will be toast after this! Looking forward to the challenge and enjoying a week racing trails in Breckenridge. Thank you Andy for your support and getting my bikes dialed for this race. All I can say is FUN!
I had a blast this past weekend racing, camping and slamming seltzer water. I had great company from fellow teammate Mark. We drove the "man van" down to Laramie and camped out at the Happy Jack exit... I think it should be called Happy Jill ;O) I give the camping C+, race course B and post party fun A+++. Even after the race they offered massages for 15 minutes for $10. I got the special treatment and got 40 minutes for $10. That's a real savings compared to Jackson prices of $75. I walked away this weekend with money in my pocket and a sweet tie dye sweatshirt that I won in the raffle. See you next year Enduro. |
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October 2016
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