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Rim Nordic XC |
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Written by Eric Paysen
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Thursday, 02 July 2009 |
Rim Nordic #1
Running Springs, CA
June 28, 2009
 This was my first race since our big move from South Carolina to California and a real job. Corporate America has not been kind to my training schedule or my waistline but after a long hiatus from racing I am back in competition mode after getting in some good miles since the first of the year. Lisa my wife and long time race supporter decided that she would also race in her first mountain bike event. Although she is not an official team member, I pulled out an old Bikeman jersey for her so that she could race in style! Also racing for the first time was my friend Lee who is new to the sport but learning quick.
 As a bonus I got to meet some fellow Bikeman.com team members for the first time. Roger Jorgensen and Roland Russ were gearing up for the cat 2 race and were surprised to see a couple more bikeman jerseys. These are great guys with a laid back attitude that I have come to expect from Californians. With four jerseys in the starting area Bikeman.com was well represented!! The event was the first of the Rim Nordic series in Running Springs California. The starting line is at a lofty 6,800 and the each lap has over 1,400 feet of climbing. Since we live at sea level the air was feeling a little thin even on the warm up. The race venue is in a beautiful area with big trees providing shade for much of the route.
 My race started out fast and furious as I knew that it would. I also knew that the climbing off the starting line would be long and difficult. I had told myself that I would start slow and settle into my own pace. Ahh…the best laid plans; I ended up getting caught up in the heat of the moment and charging hard up the first of two climbs. As I feared, I blew up about half way up the 40 minute climb. Gasping for air I had to hoof it up a couple of the steep spots and got passed by what felt like every racer in the state. Demoralized did not describe my state of mind at that point.
 After negotiating an almost as difficult downhill with deep ruts, dust, and sand. I started to feel a little better as I approached the end of lap one. Just about that time, I lost my front wheel in a loose section flipped through the air at high speed landing on my back, bouncing and bashing my knee into the decomposed granite. With dust and dirt in my mouth I jumped back on the bike and with the first few pedal strokes realized that my knee was pretty trashed. As I limped through the start finish area I actually considered throwing in the towel but decided that for my first race in CA I couldn’t settle for a DNF. I headed back up the hill.
 Despite my banged up knee the second lap was actually better than the first since I managed my pace a little better. I thankfully rolled through the finish just under a couple hours on the course…way off the back finishing 12 out of 18. Lisa and Lee both had good first races but finished surprised at how difficult the terrain, altitude, and competition were. Lisa actually said that it was one of the hardest things she has ever done.
Having been a competitive racer in the past my back of the pack performance was a humbling experience. As soon as my knee heals up I’ll be charging the hills again. Despite being fat and slow it feels good to be racing again!
Eric
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