It was actually getting to be oppressively hot on Sunday morning. I melt like ice cream(vanilla! hee hee) in Phoenix when it’s hot out, and have had the need for an IV after a race more than once, despite my grandest efforts to hydrate. This time, I was planning to drink 2 bottles per 8 mile lap (sounds crazy, but necessary) and was downing some electrolyte capsules. Oh irony, how you taunt me. 😉
I had a nice, long warm-up, but was slightly concerned because when I tried to do some openers, my legs did not respond. They just felt like lead- like they wouldn’t contract. Sometimes I feel bad in the warm-up and good in the race- similar to the Breck 32. No such luck. The gun went off and I went straight backwards. I also could not get my HR up! I usually race an XC in the low 190s and I was hovering around my Lt – 173 and pushing as hard as I could. I have been training pretty hard, so my legs were done. I was going to ride a second lap and assess the situation and hope I felt better.
Suddenly, it got really dark. The bad kind of dark. I heard thunder rumbling…and very soon after that, I could actually see lightning bolts striking all around me. There was no longer thunder rumbling, it was CRACKING around me. I was thankful that I was heading downhill, but was not doing such a good job of descending because I was shaking from the lightning. The rain came as I was getting back to the start/finish. I saw girls in front of me had dropped out. Normally, I am a big fan of tough conditions- I am able to mentally suck it up and bust out a good result. As I was contemplating the safety of my life for another lap, I heard the announcer yelling to the spectators, “SEEK COVER! EVERYONE OFF THE MOUNTAIN! If you’re under a tent, you are still not safe! They closed the lifts!!!” At that point, I decided it was not worth it. I told the official I didn’t want to get struck by lightning, which is what several other women had said. They capped the men’s race as they came after just 2 laps and had turned the women around who had gone out on their second. Epic. The dirt was also the kind that turns into clay. I waited under one of the “unsafe” tents for Mr. Kerkove to finish. I was watching wreck after wreck, and seeing the state of some of these guys’ bikes. He looked strong and happy, and ready for more. 😉
Darkness falls on Sol Vista.
Awesome. We got to sit in traffic coming back too! Not surprising though….
Big MOFO Pimpin. Hell yeah! 😀 and they brought a bike!
I figured out how Je-kove gets so fast…he rides with 10 lbs of mud on each shoe! Shhh…don’t tell him I told you!
The storm was a blessing in disguise for me. Now it’s time to head to Outdoor Retailer for a great time and a week to rest the legs. I’ll be back feeling strong and buzzed on all the awesome product I will have feasted my eyes on. 🙂
Somewhere over the rainbow … on the drive back.
“Somewhere, over the [DOUBLE] rainbow, skies are blue.
and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” Dream it. Be it. Seriously….. I am somehow lucky enough to be finding that place.
You bet your bad self that I’ll have my camera in Salt Lake this week. I won’t leave my peeps hanging. 🙂 Adventure on!
Lightning’s the only weather I won’t ride into, last time I was out in it it was snowing too, I didn’t even know you *could* have lightning AND snow, pretty nasty stuff.
I hid in the trees til the noises stopped 😉
I bet it was extra loud too. It’s always soooo quiet when it snows.
About the only thing that lightning crackling around you is good for…is making you faster than you ever thought you could be! 😉 Been there, done that, NOT FUN!!