You better be tough! At least that's what Nick says all the time. Well, racing yesterday wasn't smart - but the way I raced was certainty dumb! Note to self. Despite what the mind thinks, the legs really dictate how well recovery is going. Yep. And when a seasoned and multi time national champion in 24 hour racing laughs at you while asking if the legs have bounced back should be a pretty big hint to behave. Yep. Did I listen to any of it? Nope! Ten days after the 2013 24 Hour National Championships and my first solo 24 hour race, I was back at it and ready to race. At least that's what I was trying to tell myself when I lined up with speedsters Caroline Mani and Rebecca Gross. That I was spunky, fast and ready to go. Too bad my legs hadn't also gotten that memo!

The women started last in the group this week, which I was very happy about. That didn't mean the start was slow though. Rebecca attacked from the whistle with Caroline right on her wheel. I threw away all sanity and decided I belonged right in that train. Passed Caroline on the top, but she was a little more aggressive on the sandy start lap and repassed me as we started the main lap. Continuing to throw caution and reason to the wind, I stuck to her wheel on the long climb at the start of the single track. We were gaining on Rebecca and I was mentally feeling slinky. Maybe it would be a real race unlike last time! On the steep, loose climb up to the blacktop road, Rebecca bobbled. In the sand, giving Caroline the lead. That would be the last I saw of Caroline! But I was right behind Rebecca and starting to bring her back as we traversed Grandview. So far so good. The mental spunk was still strong and I was riding smooth. Why nit keep it a solid race for second?

Here's where it gets dumb. I got cocky - and decided that since I was holding onto Rebecca's wheel I could pass her and make it stick. This was on the first lap, well before reality set in. So I did. On the dirt road at the end of Grandview, I took off a and made the pass. Onto the next section af single track and I was feeling pretty good that I might be able to stay in front of her. However, in hindsight, I think it was the adrenalin talking! I could hear her wheel behind me, never dropping back. Through the finish line to start the next lap and I thought I could use the climb to my advantage. More being dumb. I attacked that climb hard, passing three guys on the bottom slope. Then it was my turn to dab on the steep climb to the blacktop. And Rebecca took advantage of that. I tried to get back on but truth was glaring me in the face. I was done. I was beyond done. That attack on the climb had pretty well toasted me.

And I still had at least one more lap to ride after I finished that one! Whoops. Well, if you're gonna be dumb, you better be tough. Now was the time to be tough and ride my bike as hard as I could manage. (Yet hopefully slow enough that I would only have to do three laps.) I focused on smooth riding and technique, knowing that riding well when tired is hard. My third lap was actually the cleanest of my race. I was having fun, taking the hard lines and thanking the volunteers. I was also hoping for the sweet relief of being finished at the end of the lap. No such luck! I hadn't been lapped and the officials dinged the bell as I rolled through. One more time in to the heat I went. I think I was the last person to roll across the line at the of the race. A solid 8 minutes behind Caroline, but only 3 behind Rebecca. Not bad for being dumb!

Note to self. Next time all the signs point towards being smart and riding conservativly, you might want to listen! But facing a fast crowd and wanting to race makes that hard. Thanks to all the officials and volunteers. And thanks to all the spectators who braved the heat to watch us nutcases. See you on July 10th!