March Races,

Last month we went on 2 different trips,

for 2 different races....

1st we headed off to Moab where I did the Moab 1/2 Marathon 

with a group of girls in my ward.

I was really excited because we had been training hard and did a treadmill class that is supposed to help with speed.  I was ready for my fastest time ever....

but the rolling hills and flat ending prevented me from reaching my goal :-(

Now I just want to sign up for a nice down hill, canyon run.

The rest of the weekend was a blast!  We rented a condo with the Finlaysons.

We filled our time with lots of hiking and great restaurants!!!

 The next weekend we went to St. George for Tour Del Sol Bike Race.

It was a 2 day, 3 stage race...

and it was like nothing I had ever done before!!!!

The first stage was a time trial, 

which consisted of 12 miles going as fast as you can, no help from anyone.

When we pulled up, I seriously wanted to turn around and go home, I was so intimidated.  

There were teams of bikers warming up on trainers and everyone's' bikes were unreal.

I did okay on this stage, but immediately after wished I would have pushed harder,

plus I didn't place very well.

The 2nd stage is called a CRIT.
You basically just go around a big track in a group for 30 minutes.  

I only had one goal for this race.... Stay with the group and don't get dropped!!!!

Because you are on a track, everyone can see you,
and it is very obvious how you are doing.

I was so nervous to have Scott there.

It ended up going really well and I placed 6th!!!

I still have a lot to learn, 

because in every picture I look like I am in last place going around the turns....

The final day and stage of the race was a 40 mile road race.

I had ridden the course before and knew that there were a ton of hills, but I felt ready.

A couple miles in there was a big hill and at the top, my chain fell off!!!!

I was devastated. I felt like I would never be able to catch up to the group and the thought of doing 35 miles by myself made me want to cry :-(

I had no choice, but to fix my chain and then ride my butt off!!!

Thanks to pure adrenaline from the fear of being last, I was able to catch up to Alicia and we worked together the rest of the race and ended up finishing 5th and 6th!!!

 

The race was so much work, but I had so much fun!!!

I am so lucky to have moved next door to Alicia 

so she could introduce me to the awesome world of biking, 

and help me every step of the way!