I Got My Butt Kicked by a 65+ Year Old
And I have never been so proud. A win, is a win, is a win. It doesn’t matter how it goes down, or what excuses are at play, you beat me, fair and square.
September 15th was my pre-ride of Xterra Ogden, Utah. It is the National Championship, and Pan Am Championship.
I went to celebrate being an empty nester, as well, as embarking on the next chapter of my life with my Life Partner.
I wasn’t expecting any miracles because I didn’t start training for Xterra until the day of Breck 100, July 14th. I came in 12 Minutes off the cut off for the 1st loop, Tim had 4 offers on his house, and we decided instead of riding more, we would get those papers signed, and go for a hike.
I was unprepared for Breck. Not in mileage, I didn’t know the course, I didn’t know I was on course, and it cost me dearly. I will train it next year, and come back in 2020 or 2021. It depends on when my Ironman comes.
One thing, that we discussed was how I need to do a photo-op Pre-Ride of the course, before I race anything new. So a new training plan has been put into place. Photo Pre-Ride. Pfft. HAHA.
So back to Ogden. I knew I wanted to do an Xterra, or a Half Ironman, this year before fall. I decided on Xterra, since it would feed my soul more than anything.
I left Wednesday night after my swim group. Made it to Cortez, Colorado Welcome Center, and then headed up the rest of the way to Ogden for my Photo-Op Pre- Ride.
The Pole fire in Utah, when I went through on the 13th was only 1500 acres, now checking it has burned 101,895 acres., detoured me, and added about 2 hours onto my trip, and took off the top half of my pre-ride for time, and daylight. I’m glad I got in what I was able to.
In the Xterra National/Pan Am Championships we begin our ascent up Wheeler Canyon. Was such a fine sight to see:
We don’t get much in the way of Fall Colors in Albuquerque. I usually try and make a trip up to Aspen Vista, and this year, I think, we are going to sneak away for a quick glimpse at 4th of July canyon.
It was quite a treat.
The Xterra bike, as listed by MTB Project as a black diamond. I would beg to differ. Outside of 4600+ feet of climbing, I would say, not so technical.