USA CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR XTERRA 2007 we welcomed the wind, the snow, the sun, the rain, and all of God's beautiful creations including a Grizzly Bear in Lake Tahoe! A monster brown bear about the size of our medium size rental car! We spotted the bear in the parking lot. I flashed the high beams on him to get a better look, and he crept away. Annette braved the task to the retrieve the condo key as I stayed in the car to flash the beams on him and of course honk if he came closer. But he stayed away and we got the key! A friendly welcome from a Lake Tahoe local was quite the adrenaline rush!
The next day, we gals decided we were going to put our bikes together. As we get out our bikes we both realize....we forgot our bike tools...girls! So off to the hardware store, bike store, and grocery store....but we did manage to browse a women's clothing store! Soon after we went out to view the trail and test the bikes. It was a windy day. Lake Tahoe was acting like the Jersey Shore when there is a storm off the coast. Yes, BIG Waves and white caps! Making all the athletes get butterflies in their tummies! We did a little run of the course and Annette decided she wanted to preview all of the 20 mile bike course in the mountains. I was scared for her because it was colder up in the mtns. She came home sooner than she anticipated.... her fingers were black and almost frost bit! We thought we may have to take her to the ER! But we had dinner and she was ok.
Bruce and I pre-rode the first climb on the bike course. It was Bruce's first time here, he worked hard to accomplish his goal to qualify for the US Championship. He wasn't feeling well and I wasn't about to push it either. Coming into altitude is a shocker on the body. Climbing another 3500 ft is another shocker. So double wammers do not equal big bucks! Later Bruce's illness took a turn for the worse and he did not get the chance to compete. He was there in spirit and his wife and him seem to enjoy Tahoe together.
Annette and I woke up the next morning and she came into my room shouting "It F***n SNOWED!" We then had breakfast and headed to Reno to buy some warmer clothes. It was 20 degrees outside that morning. Those poor Sat racers! I made the mistake by not getting into the lake this day. It later paid in the race, as you will see in my race time results (you will have to search them, b/c I am too embarassed to post)
Race DAY!: The Sun showed up to race this morning along with all the big dogs from other elevated towns in Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, & California. Race morning was 40 degrees instead of 20, 58 in the water!
My competitor at this race (every year) is elevation!
Swim: Knocked the energy out of me, in 58 degree waters. It was more nauseating than watching the Eagles get pummeled by the NY Giants!
Bike: Flippin COLD, at 9000 ft. The mountains were COLD and had NO POWER. Going down, toward the end of the bike split, Felt like I could Fly!
Run: I ran as hard as I could. It hurt like hell.... but it felt best when I crossed the finish line, and my friend, Ryan (who also raced) gave a big hug!
Overall I shaved 9 mins off my time from last year... It was a bad start, and a strong finish.
I am Hoping to find the balance in Maui. What better place to find balance than on an island of Hawaii.
Pics above: The first climb on Tunnel Creek, Wishing friend, Rich Costella, good luck before we make the plunge.
