This....this was a fantastic weekend of racing for a young racer. After realizing how very close the points for the overall were I negotiated with myself on a big goal of finishing in front of a particular rider:Athlete Profile: Stephanie Ward
Description: The nicest racer you'll ever meet.
I knew that I couldn't let the series slip. I had put too many long weeks into this goal to corrupt it with these final two races. So I grabbed up some good sideline advice and went for it. With a team shouting my name and a course that was fast and fun I gave it my all, I gave it my heart.
I had a terrific Short Track finish as the 2nd Expert and 5th Pro/Expert. I wanted to throw my hands up when I went through the line because it felt THAT good. A racer knows when a job is well done. This race was one!
With the solid STXC finish, I put myself in a position to enjoy the XC (as much as one can enjoy a XC, right). I went out strong but not to the point of self-explosion. I made smart moves going into the first single track and I kept my head together. I reeled in riders ahead of me and was setting neatly in 4th place going into the gnarly Keystone descent.
I got passed on the fire road section midway down. That lit the beast inside of me and I hammered my way up to her wheel. I pushed her to the point that she pulled to the side of the trail and let me around. Dirty racing, you say? Well maybe (a little) but racing for sure. I had a rush of excitement coming across the line.
The girl I passed found me when she came over the line and threw me a huge high-five...
"Good racin'" she said. "You had me so nervous. I couldn't find a good line. I had to let you around."
"Yeah, good racin. Sorry 'bout that. Way to be." I replied.
And on that exhilarating note I finished a long eventful season.
Awards and LOTS of beer to follow.
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