Winter Park #1 Hill Climb

Not sure how, but I successfully completed my second hill climb and my first mountain bike race! Marni, Michelle and I all raced in the beginner women's 20-29 category. We started at about 11:00, and it was already warm out. It was a long, 5.3 miles, of uphill climbing up the side of Mary Jane. I almost gave up in the first mile; it was so steep and so demoralizing that I never thought I was going to make it. I was ready to just turn around and wait at the car for everyone else. But then it ever-so-slightly flattened out for a little bit and I was able to look down this gorgeous valley surrounded by pines and evergreens and watch the butterflies. I remember thinking that as much as the mountain was kicking my butt, there were much worse places on earth that I could be at that moment...

So trudged on...

I borrowed Scott's GPS and was able to track my progress (or lack thereof), which helped immensely. It was really nice to have actually, it reminded me of him and I was REALLY looking forward to seeing him at the top.

I realized I'm not meant for the competitive stuff. I felt really bad passing people. I made eye contact with a lady who was hiking down and she simply said 'you go, girl!' and I smiled and kept pedaling. As I rode higher, more people were heading down, hollering out "You're almost there! Keep it up! Doing great!" I loved "Just one more turn" from some guy bombing down the steeping hill towards the end.

I'll never forget that turn either. I had been chugging uphill, pedaling pretty much nonstop, cursing the mountain (or was it Scott??) for at least half of it, for over an hour. I hurt, I smelled, I was hungry. I came around that last turn and to get to the top we had to climb a very steep, rocky section, but after that it was over. Scott and the whole group was at the top and they made it possible to finish. They were cheering and squeaking their bike buddies and somehow I made it up that last terrible part. I yelled 'I love you guys!' as I passed but it probably came out all garbled at that point.

Having Scott run with me into the gate and then be there to hug when I was done as I was sweaty and shaky and dizzy was one of those moments in life that will never leave me. The only other climb I had done before was up Deer Creek Canyon just a week or two earlier. I hated it. I swore I'd never do the hill climb. But Scott had faith in me-way more than I had in myself-that I could do it. I tried, and I did it.

More amazing was the rest of our group-Bill won the Clydesdale category and Michelle won the beginner women’s! Congratulations to both of them!

My boyfriend did wonderful-he got out there, despite not feeling well, and kicked that mountains butt! I am so proud of him!

I remember climbing up thinking that I was never going to do this again! But, looking back, it is quite an accomplishment and it felt great when we were done!