Big Bear Ultra Lite

This week’s race was at one of my favorite areas – Big Bear, near Bruceton Mills, WV. With the exception of Raystown Lake, I personally think this trail system is some of the absolute best east coast riding out there. And the locals have been putting even more time and energy in the trails. Just since racing the 2 x 12 in June, there are several huge improvements- including new bridges, some wooden ramps off rocks, and a roller-coaster ramp through crack trail. Anyway, having raced the 101 last weekend, I was looking for a shorter race that was super technical and lots of fun. The Big Bear Ultra "lite" version fit the bill.

Because this race was a “short” 23 miles, I tried to push my pace a little bit more than normal. The first 30 minutes or so I just hammered. That feeling of my heart fluttering (am I having a heart attack??) and the metallic taste in my mouth- I haven’t felt in quite a long time. When I just about fell over from blowing myself up, I looked down to see where I was on the course. Was I around 5 miles in? maybe 6? My Garmin mockingly read 1.7 miles. Hah! I quickly realized that I was NOT a short track racer any more. Might as well enjoy this race and ride the terrain. A day at Big Bear is a long day. Miles don’t come easy, and it will sharpen your technical skills like none other. And the trails were in pristine shape- all kinds of rocks, plenty of drops, bridges, ramps, and lots of loamy goodness. It's really hard to find better trails than here. It's the kind of course that makes you forget you're racing because you are having so much fun.

It’s funny. You know you have crossed into the endurance realm when you race 23 miles and are disappointed that the race is over. I was just starting to feel REALLY good right around mile 20, and then it was over. After challenging the timekeeper (my Garmin says I only went 20 miles and the race was advertised at 23!!!) and then  immensely regretting my decision to not do the 50,  I had to laugh at myself and think about how far I had come this year. I thought about all the changes that I had made from last year. I switched teams by joining Giant Northeast. I switched bikes from a hardtail to a full suspension. I went to 27.5.  I upgraded to expert and focused on endurance. I went from racing 15 miles to 100. I even gave the Paleo diet a shot!  It really is amazing how your body can respond and adapt to training demands. We are capable of so much more than we think. And there is so much more that I want to learn and try. I feel like for every one thing I learn, there are 5 things that I discover I don’t know.  In the worlds of Michelangelo –  Ancora Imparo or “still I learn”.

Anyway, I ended up taking the top spot in Women's and 11th overall  (men and women's combined) with a time of 3:12.