Xterra REAL was the first race of the season for MORF Racing. This was the third time I’ve raced here and it’s always a well organized event. Winter has been long, snowy and cold in Colorado and I’ve had too many days on my trainer. I really needed an early season race to get me back into Xterra mode!
I didn’t have much time to spend in California so I got a Saturday morning flight to Sacramento and got picked up at the airport by my friend Cliffy. We headed straight out to Granite Bay to pre-ride the course. It was the first time I had biked outside on trails in months. We also took a quick swim in the lake and much to my relief the water was not 45 degrees like it had been earlier in the week! In Denver it snowed a foot the week before the race, but in California it was warm, sunny and the weekend had great weather.
Sunday morning I headed out to the race site to set up my transition and warm up. Xterra races generally have a mass start, and I started near the front of the group and exited the water near the top 3 women. The 16 mile mountain bike had a great two lap course - the trails are very flowy, with only a few technical spots. I borrowed a bike from Cliffy that fit me great (thanks Cliff!, arrrrgh airline bike fees!) but the lack of biking I’ve done this winter showed as I got passed by several women on the bike. However, on the run I felt much stronger and very happy with my pace and my time. I ended up the 6th woman overall and 2nd in my age group. Overall it was great to get out and get an early season race in, and collect some Xterra points.
THANK YOU!!!! to Cliff and Janet for hosting me for the weekend!! Congrats to Cliff who won his age group!
The team will be participating in a few races coming up, including the Colfax Half, Battle at the Bear Mountain bike race, and then it’s tri season for real!
