12 Hours of Tsali-Race Report

I was really worried on the days leading up to the 12 hours of Tsali. On our drive down, I felt really achy and had a really bad headache. I think that I had some sort of "bug" or something, which was the last thing I wanted to deal with going into a 12 hour race.

I slept a ton the day before, and felt much better on the actual race day. I finally got to meet Asheville Allan, and he brought me an awesome gift. I now own my own copy of 24 Solo!!!We were able to talk a bit, and I hope he could understand me. I'm always so nervous before races that I don't speak coherently.

Before I knew it, the race promoter was calling out the rules, and we were lined up at the bottom of a hill for the Lemans start.

I need to point something out before I go any further into this race report...

I hate running. I really, really, really hate it!!! Especially in cycling shoes.

I understand why we have to do it. With mass starts, it's the best way to thin out the crowd so that 200 racers aren't trying to enter the trail at the same time. Even so, I usually end up feeling tired by the time I make it to my bike. This time, it was really bad because the promoter had us run up a FREAKING HILL. Dust was flying, people were flying...the only thing NOT flying was me. By the time I reached my bike I was gasping for air. I lucked out in the fact that we had to continue up the hill for about another two miles. I was able to make up some time and took the lead out of the 12 hour solo women.

The trail was super fun...but way harder then I imagined. It was bumpy, sandy, twisty, rocky, and had some short, steep hills. Basically there was never much time for recovery. By my fifth lap I had a really good lead going. It was cooler out and I started feeling more confident with the trail. The course had these awesome downhills, with some sharp turns. On one turn, I hit a pile of roots and landed on my right knee and shoulder. Ouch. My derailleur hanger was bent but I was able to ride it out and hop on my other bike.

A few laps later, I crashed again (when it rains it pours, I guess). I was riding the last couple of downhills behind a girl who was racing on a team. I remember talking to her, and the next thing I know my tires were swept out from under me. Not only did I bend another derailleur hanger, but I fell on the same knee. It instantly began to swell. I tried to fix my chain enough so that I could ride out, but every time I tried to pedal it would skip into my spokes. I'm really lucky that it happened at the end of the course, as I only had to walk out a half of a mile.

At 9:30, I was told by my pit crew that I had a two lap lead and that I could stop early. By that time, it was nice and cool out, and I decided to go out and ride one more lap. I felt great, and was having a really good time on my bike. I ended up winning by 3 laps, and finished 7th overall.

I definitely plan on going back to ride/race at Tsali. There were several places on the trail that had amazing views...especially during the evening. I tried to take my camera out on my last lap but my pit crew wasn't having it. I think that I was a little whacked out, and they pictured me out snapping pictures until my lights burned out.

I have to thank all of my sponsors and pit crew again. I literally couldn't have done it without them. I have mucho respect for people who do these races unsupported because I can't even think on my own after my first couple of laps. Special thanks to my hubby for organizing everything, Ted for keeping my bikes in tip-top shape, and Jason for doing ALL of the driving while we slept. I also have to thank Jason from chiropractic unlimited. This was my first 12 hour race since my IT band flared up last year and I didn't feel a thing the entire time. It was such a relief!!!!

Tomorrow I'm going to merge back into the bike lane and do an easy two hour spin. My knee is so stiff that working out will actually feel good.