With these races I never know if I'm going to be able to race or not since I help put them on. Most of the time I can make it to the start line right as the gun goes off, so it's not ideal with warm-up, food, bathroom stop, etc. But at least I get to race!
This race was the same. Tore off my clothes as I run to the line and they start. I'm a little more hesitant about racing lately since I'm 18 weeks pregnant. Last pregnancy this wouldn't have bothered me so much, I ran until the day before I delivered my little boy, with pain & pressure starting only in the 8th month. But this one, I've been having lower abdominal pressure for a few weeks now when I run, mostly downhill or strenuous, but even lightly just on an easy flat run.
I actually felt fine the first mile, besides the lack of breath from rushing to the start. Teammate Melody took off from the beginning and I knew she'd be way ahead and win it easily before the race even began, she's been doing awesome in everything lately, that animal! I was able to pass the girl in 2nd place, Alison Pray, heading to the last climb on the stairway. I had two guys around me for most of the singletrac climb of the "Timp Shadow" trail, once you leave the Grizzly Road. I was able to pull away on the rolly singletrac section back towards the Stairway, feeling alright, just tired legs.
My husband was taking pics just before we made the last climb before our long mile descent back to the start line. He told me later that when he saw me, I had probably a minute on the 3rd place girl, which was still Alison. As I started the descent I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up this pace, the pressure on my growing tummy was building. I slowed it down to a normal run pace and just decided to make it in, whether or not she caught me. As I was nearing the last steep descent a couple hundred meters before the finish, I heard Ali coming up behind me. My natural instinct was to speed up and any other time I could, but this time it's just different. She flew past me and probably put 20 seconds on me before the finish, me knowing it would not be smart to try and go any faster. My lower stomach was aching pretty badly and I didn't want to risk tearing anything. It's an interesting feeling, knowing that mentally and physically I could easily push through the pain, but since I know it involves another life, my attitude changed completely on competition, it was more just to have the experience of being up in the mountains and still being able to run. I ended up 3rd woman overall and happy with it. I'm just extremely grateful to be able to still run, let alone race, and do well. I hope I can continue like teammate Kassi and race for a few more months, keeping it fun. Love this race always and will obviously no doubt do it every year I can.
Place: 3rd
Time: 23:22
Feeling: Grateful!
-Amber ;)
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