Deer Valley Pedalfest

Deer Valley Pedalfest was a fun day. I think I am a little over trained or worn out though, because I wasn't as excited to race Saturday as I normally am. I am on an antibiotic and feel just super tired. I kept falling asleep in church today, so I need to figure out where to cut out training, or just let this stinking antibiotic run it's course and hopefully feel back to normal soon. The funny thing is my antibiotic says on the bottle "MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS OR DIZZINESS, USE CAUTION WHEN DRIVING" So riding a bike might not be the smartest thing to be doing right now! Ha ha. We got up to Deer Valley late, as we normally do. Jed wasn't racing, he was going to be on kid duty. So nice of him. I had about 15 minutes to register and warm up. UGH. Luckily they delayed the race 15 more minutes. Beth and Cody met us up there, and they brought my new helmet and gloves. SWEET! No more purple helmet! Oh happy day! Now I have a sweet black S-works helmet, and I love it. My gloves had holes in all the fingers too. So I was just so excited and surprised that they met us up there, they are so nice. They wanted to make sure I had my helmet before the race. They also brought a kite for the kids, which was a great help to entertain the kids with. :) At the lineup there were 12 expert girls there, which is a big turnout for a race. I hadn't preridden the course, so I had a lot of jitters about that. We started off and it was just crazy crowded. I didn't start well with the crowdedness I couldn't get clipped in. So I had to bust it to get to the front of the big pack, and I feel like I cut off Ellen Guthrie or someone, because I heard them say "HELLO!". I felt bad, I just got all aggressive and I think I was rude. The first hill was BRUTAL, completely painful. And we got to do it 3 times. It hurt so bad, I made it each time by the skin of my teeth. Luckily some guy was there cheering me on everytime, if he hadn't been there I think I wouldn't have made it. Then when you got to the top totally redlining, you had to go across this wacky sideways grassy hill, and it took everything I had to stay on my bike. The first lap I just felt completely tentative, not knowing what to expect on the course. I hated it. Kristin Callari was in the lead, then got a flat. I felt bad for her because she looked super strong. I was in the lead then but not for long, Roxane Toly came blazing by, and I was trying to hold her wheel on the downhill. But still feeling tentative, it was not in my comfort zone. Then I heard Mary Foss behind me ask to get by, but I wasn't quite ready to let her by, so I sped up and held Roxane's wheel, but the whole time I was worried I was holding Mary up. I finally just stopped and moved over for her. Later she asked me why I did that, but I told her I just didn't know what to do! She said to NOT do that next time. Ha ha, :). But she was definitely faster, it was just a matter of when. Then some other lady passed me, who looked pretty strong. From then on I was just hurting bad. I was even secretly hoping to get a flat or mechanical because I just wanted to be done. How sad is that? I am not very confident on downhill tight switchbacks. I kept seeing Lisa White behind me in the distance. That was the only thing that kept me going. And the fact that Jared and Keith passed me and that ticked me off. The 3rd lap was a little more fun, I felt a little better and faster on the downhill, knowing I didn't have to brake as much as I did before. It was fun to have the kids cheering me on a this race. They haven't been there for the last few, and it was so fun to hear their little voices saying "GO MOMMY!!!" And then I was done. I finished 4th, Mary was the State Champion. She was super nice, I talked to her after for a bit. I guess I didn't seem too happy with my finish, because Lyna Saffell was telling me to celebrate, and that I needed to be proud of myself. She was so nice. She told me I need a mantra to get out of the negative self talk I sometimes do when I am racing. I am going to work on that. :) Sally broke a finger apparently. But she was still smiling! I love her. She is so awesome. In fact, I just love everyone at these races. I seriously think it is the coolest bunch of people. The whole day that is what I kept thinking about how grateful I have been able to be a part of this community of racers, and be able to meet so many awesome people. The rest of the day was a blast. We went to lunch with Beth and Cody, and then hit the Trailside Park. Jed had a LOT of fun on that. There were all these cool wall rides and it was just a really impressively laid out park. Park City does some great city planning. I watched the kids down at the playground while Jed rode. It was just fun to hang out with the kiddos. We had a great time. I think I love Park City. :) Oh and Jed just made fun of my post, he says it looks like a novel. But I don't care, I told him people don't have to read it if they don't want to. :)

Start of the race, do you see me? It's like "Where's Waldo"!
4th place finish
Kite Flying
The hangout spots
The park by Trailside bike park