Hurricane of Pain: NMBS#2 ST Sugar Mountain 6/11/2006

Part Two of the Showdown at Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk, NC was the Short Track race on Sunday. It turned out to be a really warm day. Rolling around on my bike in the expo area I felt the sweat dripping down my back – it was like being in a sauna with all my clothes on. My husband saw Geoff Kabush, a top pro rider, sporting an ice vest to stay cool during his warm-up laps. It was going to be a challenging 20 minute gut wrenching race in the heat.

I set out to warm-up on my trainer with plenty of time to get a really solid spin. I had it made in the shade until I unnecessarily let my mind wonder and somehow plenty of time turned into a compact warm-up. I had psyched myself out into thinking that I had less time than I had originally planned. Racing does crazy things to the brain. Then the race ended up starting about 15 minutes later than scheduled. So I rode around the roads near the start line to stay warm in the thick muggy air that had engulfed the area.

Finally, the race course opened up and the field of women was allotted two practice laps before the call up to the start line. I took just one easy lap because earlier in the day I was able to check out the course and felt familiar enough with the twists and turns. All the other racers were buzzing around me like neurotic drivers on the Los Angeles freeways. Since this was going to be my second short track race ever, my strategy was to conserve energy prior to the race. Sea Otter was the only other short track race I have done – and with all the mud at that one I was off my bike more than on it so it did not give me a good idea on what to expect.

As usual, I was one of the last handful of competitors called up to the start line. In short track the back of the field is a difficult position to begin a race. It would mean I would have to work super hard and make aggressive moves without ejecting my lungs out on the race course during the breakneck start. There is no room for mistakes.

The race began and the first right turn was a jumble of bikes, dust and people who may have never ridden in a pack before. Everyone was fighting for a better position. It was messy. I did my best to grab on to a wheel, draft and move up. The next turns were tough. It was a short stiff climb and then a bit of an S curve through trees, mud and gravel, followed by a super fast descent through the grass, a tight right then left jog through some slick mud, up another short hill, a final hairpin turn and sprint past the start/finish line. This race was going to last 20 minutes plus three final laps for the leaders.

The first lap was complete but my legs were no where to be seen. I was struggling to hang on. I also was getting caught behind racers who were starting fade. One of them slipped off her bike unharmed on one of the turns, making it difficult to get around her. I could not believe how hard my heart was pumping and how small my lungs felt as I gulped for air. Pushing myself from pain to numbness back to the ecstasy of why I love racing my legs kept turning the pedals around the course.

On my fourth lap, my body finally acclimated to the pressure it was under to perform so quickly. I was actually starting to feel good – in fact a bit spry. I was able to stand up and push through the short steep climbs. I was gaining ground and even started passing some women. Everything started coming together and then I was pulled from the race because I was in danger of being lapped by the race leaders. I was so bummed. The whole race lasted 12 minutes for me…..who knew I could have so much fun in such a short period of time!?!

For this race I finished 36th. I just need to practice, practice and practice. Once I have the opportunity to participate in more short track races, I will get better. All in all, it was great weekend of racing. But being surrounded by family and friends in North Carolina to support and cheer me on was the best race food to keep me going.