Out of gas and in the fast lane

Out of gas and in the fast lane is probably the best description of my year thus far. Way to busy at work, not enough time with my kids and husband, too much laundry and cooking to be done, and well just sick way to much. So it has left me out of gas in the fast lane of life. I think this just came with me to the race this weekend, because it pretty much sums up my race. This past weekend was the start of the race season for Kris and I. It was bittersweet leaving the kids home to go and race. Usually we take them and Grandma with us, but there just isn't much in Echo, OR. So Kris and I got up early and headed out. As many of you know I am training for the Boston marathon in April and that has been my focus. I have been running more than mountain biking. I was pretty excited to get out and race on great single track and to see how my new Ibis Mojo raced. The race starts out with a neutral start which I tend to try and stay near the front and over to the side. As soon as we all hit the dirt the race was on and well I am not really sure legs understood this. I think most of the pack went right by me and well there wasn't a thing I could do about it. Some of it I blame on my endruance running legs that haven't used anything fast twitch in months and some of it on the sinus infection I had. None the less it was an awful start for me. Once I found my legs I had a heck of a time trying to pass people on the single track. The course winds around every where on the side hills and for the most part you couldn't tell where you were. I started trying to keep track and from what I could tell I was making up some serious ground about 1 1/2 hours in and I was finally feeling like I might be able to make up for my start. I was getting in the grove climbing and the Mojo was descending beautifully. I was in a great place mentally and physically. The course then comes back to the feed station where we hook in with the short course. We are going to be merging single track with racers of the short course. There were races wheel to wheel all the way up the hill. At this point I had to pretty much give up any hope of making up time or catching anyone. I decided I would just have fun and well I still manage to pass about 40 riders, but it didn't help place wise. I finished the race pretty far back, but was happy. I rode hard and got a great workout it. I had randomly decided to wear my heart rate monitor, which I never do, and well I was shoked when my average HR was 176 for 2:45 minutes and maxed at 189. I would say that was a good effort and that the sinus infection my have affected me more than I wanted it to. Needless to say I still love racing even when not at my finest. Kris on the otherhad had an awsome race. He pulled out a 4th place overall which may have been his best placing in a long while at such a big event. He said he had a great race and felt great racing, sounds like a great start to the season. Now I am back to putting on the running shoes and getting some miles in before April. Hopefully I can talk my Noah into running a few with me, Noah is 7 now and has and is an amazing runner. It is so awsome to have him be at an age he can do more with us. Adrienne is 4 yo and Oliver 20 months, they provide me with the weight training portion of my runs.