Race Day!!
Race started at 8am with temps at 34F. I had been wondering why the times from last year were so slow (given the elevation gain) and I found out right away. Started out down a jeep trail and it quickly turned into a sand jeep trail. About 7 miles of sand (like on a beach- nice and soft...) with a few outcroupsings of slick rock. Then we jumped from the sand onto just the slick rock and headed down into a canyon. Gradually climbed the canyon and soon there was a 300ft ravine below us. We scoured the rocks and made our way down the bottom of the ravine, scalling rocks walls and feeling like I was in a rock climbing adventure....
Once we got to the bottom, we refueled and headed back up. Once again- freaking climbing rocks....
Felt really strong at the top with about 12 mile left. Heated up and there was absolutely no shade so the cooking began. Really needed the 2nd aid station- water in my belly was slouching around, loudly. Stopped at the last aid station and had some ginger ale with Hammer electrolyte pills. I will be carrying them from now on- just what I needed to get my through the last 6 miles (on more sand). Finished strong. 1st place woman and 4th overall.
I ran with one guy for a few miles in the ravine and he was talking it up about catching me to my hubby and my hubs replies, "Go right ahead, see if you can catch her..." And he did not. I do love leaving men in my dust: :
It was a tough race- conditions were hard. Sand sucked and the heat and sun were unforgiving, but the view were awesome and it was a great race!
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