SCS - Danville Race

I went with a neighbor of mine up to this race. I was surprised to learn it is really only about an hour from where I live. The trail system is great. Good bit more elevation than the local trails, but not mountain stupid stuff. Some technical and some flowing stuff too. This race turned out to be the longest race of the season timewise, but that may be to my advantage a little. The support was great with water stations at several spots on the trail. On water station was right at the top of a very steep rooty climb, that is probably a hundred yards long. I was way out of breath at the top and then trying to grab water in a paper cup and drink it was comical. Only downside to these trails are they are right next to a sewage/water treatment facility. I thought a porta john had flipped over or something. This was one on the first races I tracked my position. I was in 3rd until the last 4 miles or so. I heard the guy who passed me for a while and was mentally thinking "let him pass and then stick to his wheel and grind him down". The afterburners weren't there though. After he passed I could not hold on and so ended up with a 4th. Best placing so far. 

On the bike side, this was the first race with the XT wheelset, XTR pedals and most importantly the layback post and my old trusty flite gel... ahhhhh.

Stats: 4th of 15, 22 miles, 135 mins, avg speed 9.8, avg HR 164, max HR 173, bike XTC

SCS - Spartanburg Stumpjump Race

This was the 2nd of two SC races in the series and the point combination of the two made up the SC state championships. This race is a good 4+ hour hike from where I live so I left at some ridiculous time in the morning to get there on time and then drove back all in one day. Was checking the bike out about 20 mins before the race and realized the back wheel was way out of true, not sure when I did that. The tire was almost rubbing the chainstays, without the rim brakes rubbing, I have no idea how long it was like that. I did a hasty true job and staged for the race. The race was a little moist but overall not bad, not much climbing. The Cat 2s did 2 laps the Cat 1s did 4. Glad I raced Cat 2. The field size was small. I grabbed a 5th and since this race has an extended podium I won some schwag for the first time in I don't know how long. A crappy "butt chamios" water bottle :) and some other minor crap. I am proud of it though. Also got a 3rd in the SC series, which was cool. Of course the guy that got second was riding an SS in cat 2, doh. Don't have any pics of this race. I should take a pic of the water bottle which is hilarious.

Stats: 5th of 10, 15 miles, 93 mins, avg speed 10.9, avg HR 172, max HR 180, bike XTC.