Great fun

The WWS round 2:

The way to the start line was interesting as I almost crashed in super big hole hidden under the grass…Mmm that was not a good start. Two other solo girls were next to me at the start and one looked strong (she had The Look..)
Start and here she went like a rocket ….
The 3 first laps I was trying to say to Gav that I was NOT first but second or third but he did not get it for a wee while …John and Gav came to stop me on the course to tell me to slow down, but I said there is a girl in front of me and I must be not far enough from her so I can see her ! they said “no there is no girl in front of you and Claire is racing in a paire team, ride your own race!!!!” (me) “But…”..(both in the same time) “RIDE YOUR OWN RACE!!!!”….ok …and then the girl who nobody saw but just me disappeared…..I felt so frustrated ..

Then at the transition someone told me that I was 5 minutes down first!! Thanks! I was not crazy !!! then at the 4th lap Gav understood that I was not first and that the girl in front of me really existed. For a long time I felt I was racing a ghost I couldn’t see her, Gav told me that I was bridging the gap but honestly I did not feel like I was bridging anything until I saw her at the 9th lap!!! And then the race was on!! Race face on, I went …I passed her in the technical climb and carry on thinking I must not put a toe down…I felt pretty good after the 9th lap.
The 10th lap, I took it easy for this one so I would not need to go for another lap …I walked the technical climb and took my time (well some part was so fun to go fast that I couldn’t help myself) I arrived at the finish line and Scott told me I had 5 min to go Arghhhhhhhhhhhh !!! Really!!! So I went for another easy last lap and made myself to ride everything even the hard climb!! I was so happy to be able to do that, that I had a treat (soggy muesli bar) at the top of the climb!! The last lap was actually not too bad as less people was around I felt like the whole track was just for myself!

It was hard but fun ! thanks to everyone in the NobMob camp (special thanks to John and Gav)
Good job to Rob, he made the race entertaining with his impressive crash and his broken chain
Great job to Paul on the SS !!! well done man !!! Gazza, kiwigirl, cupcake and Pivot well done for your solo effort!

What I learnt:
-Even if it is important to race your own race, you must be aware of your physical abilities and adjust the pace to suite the race and your goal. In another word, If you feel you can follow someone that you targeted, go for it!!! if you feel that the pace is too hot and that you are not going to last the 8hr then back off!!! ( I am not sure I master this one yet but I am working on it )
-Food eat eat eat even when you don’t feel like it eat (muesli bars, banana and energy drinks worked really well for me!)
-Good gloves that support your wrist ..I had sore wrists and I think John was right after hours on the bike the wrists get sore! So tape them or put a wrist support or good gloves.
-NO watch or ring during Enduro racing!! When your hands swell it hurts!! I learned that during the Wannaride 8hr my watch was killing me!!