Ski to Sea Relay today! Got up to the mountain by 7am, gun went off at 8am. I'm the first leg, so all 500 racers are starting in a big pack on the snow. The first 200 yards or so, I was just trying not to trip someone with my skis or poles and trying not to get tripped! I have had a terrible cold this week, and the coughing started this morning, so I was a little concerned about that. But, once in the mountain air with adrenaline in me, I felt great. I felt pretty good about my race, considering this is a brand new event for me. Unofficially, I raced 4.00 miles in 43:47, AP of 10:42. The effort felt about like a 5K. The course is so hilly! I found that on the flats, I was skating well enough to pass quite a few people. Funny story: on one of the uphills, a guy came up on me from behind and accidentally tripped me up a bit with his pole. Of course, in a race like this, its no big deal, happens all the time, noone really cares. So, he apologizes, and I said "No Problem Dude", and we go on. Well, on the next downhill, I see him just in front of me, so I get into my racer tuck, speed up behind him and yell: "I'm up again and coming to get you!". He looks back, and the look of terror on his face was priceless! Good to know I can scare someone still when I have to! I think I came in 197 out of about 500 racers, don't know my division time yet. Heading down to the Bay now to wait for our kayaker (last leg), and celebration! Update: Added some bicycle miles riding downtown to see our kayaker come in home then riding home. Our team came in 4th in our division! That's OK. Off to the after party now.
| 