What a week!

What a week it’s been! As Bob and BZ have written about in their blogs, we went to Jackson to compete in the Icup race Saturday and the Teton Pass Hill Climbs on Sunday. Saturday I managed to rip a hole in my sidewall (I thought it was worse then it really was) so I had to quit 15 minutes into that race. Sunday the road climb went relatively well. I managed to hold off a guy and just about timed my attack at the finish to almost take over another rider. Unfortunately I wasn’t prepared as I rode back to the condo at Teton Village from Wilson to get my mountain bike. I still had to fix the flat. So I had no time to rest between races and rolled up to the start of the mountain climb with only five minutes to spare. It wasn’t 30 seconds into the race when I was spit out the back of the pack. I kept trying to hold on to other riders’ wheels, but the legs just didn’t want to turn the cranks. I wanted to quit, but I’ve never quit a race because I didn’t feel good so I managed to finish what should have been a sub 1-hour hill climb in 1:15. Not very good but at least I finished. We celebrated EJ's 3 wins for the weekend with a round of disc golf.

Last night I was determined to improve my strength and did some intervals all the way up to the saddle of Butterfield canyon. I was even able to spin up the first ¼ of the really steep section. It felt good to push a really big gear up that canyon. It didn’t do much for my speed, but my legs felt really good and tired after. I’m out for Bordertown this weekend, too hot for a course with no shade. It looks like Brian Head is a no go as well. I was hoping to at least get one NORBA podium this year but I have to keep my focus on the big picture and this year that is LOTOJA.