We were informed the course was a little long, unfortunately. So it was all about racing and not so much about time.

The course marshall let us know that the combination of a long season of use, the previous days heavy rains and the 3 races that happened prior to our race would make the course quite choppy. I was especially happy with my decision to wear spikes.

I had been fighting a cold all week so I wasn't going in 100%. So, this was going to be one of those "against adversity" types of races.

We lined up in the starters box. The gun was up. "On your marrrrrks! "everyone got in stance and it was dead silent. Lonnnnng pause. "BANG!"

And we were off. I flew out of the box and down the hill. The spikes gave me amazing traction. I found myself waaaaaay too far in the front so I backed off.

Unfortunately I did not back off enough! They had someone giving us the mile split and we came through under 6:10. I really tried to settle down. I was having a difficult time. My head felt very foggy and totally disconnected from my body.

I was really focusing on my footing in my spikes. Being extra careful at the asphalt road crossing and avoiding roots.

We completed the first loop and things were getting interesting! I was racing! Trading on and off with some teammates. Accelerating, decelerating. Powering up the hills.

I was totally fatigued and we were only halfway through the second loop. I knew I was going to have to dig deep to finish this race. I had someone HOT on my trail. She passed me on a downhill. Downhills are not my strength, but with the spikes I felt like I was handling them better than usual. I accelerated into the flat and began to close the gap on her. We hit an uphill section and I laid it on thick. I made the pass and then continued to accelerate up and over the crest. Not allowing myself to recover much on the downhill.

There was a very long grassy hill segment at the close of the loop so I continued to surge, using the hill to put as much distance between as possible. Then we hit a long downhill and I could hear her gaining on me. Just as she was about to catch me we went back up and along the ridge. It was a long rolling section with sketchy footing. Up. Down. Up. Down. We were neck and neck. She passed me across the asphalt and along the flat section.

Now, here is where the old me may have given up. I was pushing harder then I EVER had pushed before. I thought my heart was going to explode. Or maybe my head. Or maybe my whole body. I was aerobically taxed and muscularly taxed. My legs were just burning with acid.

I felt like shit. I decided to compartmentalize that though, that feeling, and just PUSHED. We hit another long uphill segment and I surged past her. I just kept surging. Putting seconds in between us.

We passed my friends and family who were going nuts. I felt like I was watching all of this happen from afar. Like I wasn't connected to my body. There was about 400 M to go and I didn't dare look back. I pumped my arms hard, in hopes my legs would keep up. We rounded the last hard corner (nearly a 180) and I was able to see the distance between us. It wasn't much. I surged again, up the grassy hill and into the finishing chute. I continued to push. 100 meters, 50 meters , it felt like an endless tunnel. Finally I hit the line and took a knee.

I got up and turned around to congratulate my teammates and everyone coming in over the finish line. It looked like a zombie apocalypse. Girls were puking, foaming at the mouth ... grown ass women in tears.

I don't know WHAT it was about this course but it clearly affected everyone.


This was the regional championship meet and our club WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, on to the Oregon Regionals and then Nationals.

We were talking after the meet and one of my teammates was trying to describe how hard the course was. She said, and I QUOTE, "The only thing I could possibly compare the pain of this course too would be natural child birth."

*I believe I solidified my spot on the Elite team but that won't be announced until after PDX.

I went out too fast
More experience in spikes
More experience racing
Feeling 100% would be helpful

All in all, I wouldn't say it was a perfectly executed race but it was a really ehhh gutsy race. I feel like I am improving as a competitor. I am looking forward to when I can put it all together!

Consoled an upset teammate then attempted a cool down jog.
I was so, so, so spent I could hardly jog.

I gave up on the cool down and went and got beers with my friends and family :)


I went out too fast
More experience in spikes
More experience racing
Feeling 100% would be helpful