The bee sting I suffered on my left bicep 3 miles into my race on Sunday left a heart-shaped welt that still throbs and itches to this moment... sleeveless blouse, it was. Oh yeah, and pack the Benadryl. The poison ivy on my knee kept me from shaving my legs for fear of spreading the infection so a couple strategically placed Wonder Woman band-aides to cover the calamine lotion and stretchy work pants paired nicely with my top. Complete with tennis shoes to accommodate tired legs... Monday's workwear was complete!
But that's only one of the odd reminders of how much I love mountain biking.
Jay and I headed up to #ShredTheRed on Saturday morning with our race bikes and a bitchin' Yeti SB100 demo bike from One On One Bike Studio to play and get ready for Sunday's race. The only bummer was the migraine that settled in as I kitted up for the ride, swallowing a handful of Exedrine and Advil as the blind spots in my right eye made it hard to unpack my gear but I tried to press on. We headed out with P-Max and I tried to keep up as I begged the adrenaline to chase away the pain. The kaleidoscope halo's in my vision slowly crept to the sides and the meds kept the pain at bay but did nothing for the migraine fatigue. Jay and Peter were so kind to wait for me when I faltered and follow me at times so I could push my pace. Me and the Yeti played hard and I had a blast flying through the trail in new ways I'd never done before although every climb zapped my energy more than it should have.
After the ride, we grabbed some food and made our way to the top of True North Base Camp where Bruce offered us a spot to camp with him on top of the world. Jay, Rosco and I wandered to a shady spot with a breathtaking lookout and I stood silently as the winds whipped up the side of the bluff and cascaded around us in a crescendo of cotton and birch leaves. It's these moments of still silence that remind me the true depth of calm I find in nature and can sit with peacefully for time unknown.
The evening came and went with new friends, laughter, fires, and a lightning show off in the distance. We all retreated to bed early due to the impending rain and slumbered lightly when it came in gently as a constant shower to lull us back to sleep. It was the morning, however, that woke me but I chose not to fall back to sleep.
Chasing the storm was a strong wind which crashed like waves all around us. It reminded me of the ocean in Mexico, breaking along the shore as I listened with eyes half-closed and soaked in the amazing strength of the sound. I did everything I could to stay awake and memorize it.
It wasn't long until everyone was awake and headed toward the race. The next few hours passed in a slight blur as they usually do and then we found ourselves lining up, ready for the start. It was amazing to be the first woman called up once again, leading the series into the 7th race as the series nears the end. The migraine hangover lingered so I dropped a few ibuprofen before the race and wore my darkest sunglasses to try to combat the light sensitivity that hung on.
Climbing up the start road made it obvious that I was going to have to fight for every inch as I watched rider after rider pass me and ride away. I tired to keep it out of my head and press on, celebrating once I crested the top and started the rippin' decent back down to the start/finish to begin our first full lap. Somewhere before we hit Roly Poly, I was stung in the bicep on my left arm, flailing awkwardly as I swatted away the aggressive bee, then blindly trying to work the stinger out of my arm as I descended with one hand on the bars. Every time I flexed it was like lightning, so I kept working on it until I felt relief.
I was sitting in 11th place when I came through to start our first lap and settled in to do whatever damage I could in the 21 miles to go. I fought hard, practiced everything I taught and learned this summer to the nth degree, and chased down rider after rider until I found myself in 6th. In the final lap, I could see 5th at times some 15-30 seconds ahead of me, but she was a stronger climber than I was and rode away from me in the critical moments. I rode as hard as I could all the way to the finish and collapsed exhausted in 6th with pride yet fought back tears as my resolve melted away.
Although I severely wanted a top 5 finish, 6th place still moved me farther into 1st place and I couldn't be happier. I set out this year to finish top 5 overall, so this was the most amazing result to end my mountain bike season with! Sure, I still have one MAJOR FUCKING SHOW to get to in Austin this year, but the lessons I learned this year will make it a whole other experience. Me and the ole LaMere hard tail are gonna #SendIt!
I try to explain it at times... there's something about mountain bike racing that fulfills me no matter what place I'm in (yet sometimes I feel like I let myself down, yes)... but most of the time, if I'm off learning to hit something I was once afraid of, pumping through a rhythm section, catching air or just doing something for the first time, I can't deny the pure joy of it all. It fills my chest with light and makes me feel alive!
Lovin' this dirt under my nails,
Kristy Kreme
