Oregon Coast April 2009

Noah looking for Sea lions in the sky...

Can't beat running and playing in the sand.

Trying to stay warm watching the sun set on the beach.

So it use to be when I was in high school we went to the Oregon Coast every spring break. It was such a blast to spend another spring break there. We went to Gearhart, OR just north of Seaside. We pulled a late night drive to get all the way to the coast while the kids were asleep. I can't say it was the best of weather, but I don't ever remember spring break having good weather on the coast. It was however a blast. My entire family was there Thursday which was cool. We walked down to Pop's sweet shop for a warm mocha and the best scones I have ever had. Noah loves the beach. He just loves to run, look for shells and sand dollars, fly kites, and chase the surf. The sun managed to break through on Saturday morning so instead of heading to Portland like planned we stayed the morning in Seaside. We went for a small hike at Ecola State Park which is beautiful. Then spent some time on the beach where Noah was making friends right and left. He was covered in sand before we knew it. So much fun!!! We headed back to Portland and spent some more time with Shelly and Maggie. Sunday was the day for the MTB race.

So it has been over 1 1/2 years since I have done a MTB race. I was a little nervous to say the least. My sister offered to watch Noah and Adri so Kris and I could race. I owe her big time. So we headed out to the Hornings Hustle. It is a pretty cool course always a little muddy. It really wasn't to bad this year. There was still pleanty for slippery snotty hills to climb and descend, but no mud pits. Sweet!!! There was a nice creek crossing to clean the bikes off each lap. It was warm out a nice 70 degrees. Mind you the highest I think I had ridden in temp wise was 45. It was a little warm. We warmed up and headed to the start. There were 12 women lined up in the open/pro catagory. As if I wasnt a little nervous before, now I really was. I felt pretty good, my legs were a little loaded but hopefully would work themselves out. I raced in second most the race. I say most because I broke my chain with almost 2 miles to go. I thought there was a lot of downhill so I originally didn't fix it and ran the ups and coasted the downs. This wasn't really working very well. So I had to fix it, I really need to work on being a faster mechanic. Needless to say third place passed me so when I got my chain fixed it was all or nothing. So I hopped on my bike and sprinted for the entire last mile. I caught her as we entered into some single track and we got stuck behind some slower races. As soon as it opened up to the climb right before the finish I sprinted and well I got 2nd. Yippie. I was pretty stoked. So now it is time until Sea Otter Classic next weekend.