![\"checking-out-the-top-of-columbine-pre-race-300x225\"](\"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/checking-out-the-top-of-columbine-pre-race-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
We drove up columbine before the race so Dennis could have some fun with the Jeep!<\/p>\n
Of all the high mountain scenery of this race course, my favourite view of the day was from the start line. \u00a0Being in the Red starting corral, I did not have too many people in front of me, so over the\u00a0rows of fidgeting racers, all staring straight ahead down 6th street, I focused my eyes to the 14000ft sunrise-pink mountain peaks. It was quite spectacular, and a fitting setting for this great race.<\/p>\n
The start was a little crazy \u2013 there are a few miles of downhill paved road before hitting the dirt and what transpired was the most unorganised peloton I have ever seen \u2013 there were people zipping everywhere (unnecessarily for the most part), making fairly questionable maneuvers. \u00a0I went from my focus being staying on Theo\u2019s wheel, to just making sure I got through the first few miles unscathed! \u00a0The dirt slowed the craziness down a bit, but immediately started highlighting some people\u2019s lack of bike handling ability while they were trying to move far faster than they were capable of. \u00a0The only crash of the day I witnessed was within 5 miles of the start line with a testosterone-filled clipping of a wheel from behind resulting in a near fist-fight. \u00a0I don\u2019t think anyone was badly injured. \u00a0We hit St Kevin\u2019s climb and I immediately realised why some people had risked life and limb and ridden in the red-zone for the first 20 minutes \u2013 the slow crawl of people up this first climb was never-ending, and near impossible to do any passing. \u00a0I definitely was planning to not ride anything other than conservative for the first couple of hours, but the pace up this climb was far slower than I really wanted. \u00a0But I stayed patient, settled in and focused on riding a good efficient line to not waste an ounce of energy. \u00a0The highlight of this climb was definitely the tandem with some pretty good tunes playing; most of the riders were so serious, but you found the occasional gem who was more than happy to say hi and wish each other good fortune for the day ahead. \u00a0Towards the top of the climb, Theo and I finally found some breathing room to open things up a bit on the rolling section along to the blazing fast paved downhill road section before the next climb. \u00a0My road riding has definitely improved my \u2018fear of speed\u2019 problem I have suffered from in the past and I descended fast and confidently, wishing I temporarily had a few more pounds of weight to help me down the hill! \u00a0Starting the next climb up sugarloaf I realised my legs were just in \u2018ok\u2019 mode, nothing spectacular so Theo was having to wait for me; maybe I could have afforded to push a bit harder but I wasn\u2019t sure so I played it safe so early in the day. \u00a0I wasn\u2019t concerned about the descent of powerline, but I could tell by surrounding chatter, \u2018you\u2019d better go ahead of me for the descent\u2019, that plenty of people were. \u00a0I tried to get ahead of as many people as I could for a clear descent but it wasn\u2019t happening \u2013 there are very few places on the steep rubble-strewn descent that are good for passing without taking unnecessary risk, so we were in a close knit snake of riders hoping no one in front of us crashed, when Theo got a flat tire. \u00a0He yelled at me to keep riding which seemed to me to be a sensible idea as he would have no problem fixing the flat quickly then catching me back up.<\/p>\n
I got to the bottom of powerline with no further incident, albeit slower than I would have liked, but I was still feeling calm and patient and knew there was still a lot of hours of riding left so a few minutes here and there would really not matter. \u00a0I knew that a flat section of road was coming up so I started scouting around me for good candidates for wheels to hang onto \u2013 there were plenty of options and I managed to find a group of riders to hide behind for a while \u2013 we soon joined with a faster moving group and got some good speed for a few miles before the dirt leading into the pipeline aid station. \u00a0One guy in this group was on a singlespeed, he was doing fine for a while until the road tilted downwards every so slightly, at which point even his 120rpm was not going to keep him hanging on. \u00a0Having done some singlespeeding now, I think this could quite possibly be the worst course ever for a singlespeed, with extremes in gradient including\u00a0plenty of frustrating \u2018flat\u2019 miles where one gear requires spinning a ridiculous cadence as well as long steep climbs with questionable traction which on a singlespeed would require just super-human strength and control.<\/p>\n
Pipeline aid station came and went \u2013 I was still not feeling that wonderful, but at the same time not terrible either. \u00a0By this point I had realised my plan for eating solid food was not going to be sustainable. I\u2019d managed to get one bar down me but it was quite an effort \u2013 my stomach was fine, I just couldn\u2019t really chew and swallow that easily \u2013 it required too much energy I think! \u00a0So, I was resorting to gels and that was fine \u2013 quick and easy and my iron stomach was going to have no problem at all if all I put into it was gel. \u00a0Dennis was waiting at the twin lakes aid station and my only instructions to him were to empty my pockets of my bars and replace with gels \u2018as many as you have!\u2019 \u2013 a quick camelbak switch and I was on my way across the field to the base of columbine. \u00a0I actually began to feel decent and settled into a good climbing pace for the 8 vertical miles ahead. The first few miles of the columbine climb are nicely graded and not too steep. \u00a0I was making good progress and riding past people constantly. \u00a0A few miles up, the leaders of the men\u2019s race started thundering\u00a0down in the opposite direction. \u00a0I could not believe the speed they were descending at and it started making overtaking opportunities few and far between. \u00a0The top two miles of columbine are steep, loose, between 11000ft and 12500ft and crowded with people, mostly walking at this point. \u00a0I wanted to ride, and managed the first steep section maneuvering around people with a constant stream of others descending towards me, but it soon became harder and harder to ride; walking was almost as fast and possibly less energy at this point. \u00a0It was a little frustrating as I was feeling fairly good and not having issues with the high altitude, but again, patience (english conservatism?) won out, and I walked with everyone else until it flattened out a little and I could get back on and ride. \u00a0I hit the turnaround point and wanted to just get back down quickly so didn\u2019t stop and tried to find some clear trail to descend on. \u00a0I got stuck behind some tentative descenders for a little while but eventually found a way past and could open things up.<\/p>\n
I was back at twin lakes, the 60mile mark before I knew it; \u00a0Theo had not re-caught me \u2013 I\u2019d spied him trudging up columbine in a long line of people as I was descending. \u00a0I switched camelbaks again with Dennis, grabbed more gels which seemed to be working, mumbled something about \u2018I could still break 9\u2032 and off I went. \u00a0The chances of 9 hours were slim but still possible, and at this point I felt confident risking pushing a little harder than I had on the way out. \u00a0On the paved climb out of twin lakes I spied a friend I had not seen since he moved back east \u2013 he\u2019s a strong rider and I was happy to be pacing with him for a bit. \u00a0We had a short conversation then formed a small train with a couple of other riders for the flat fast section back to the one piece of\u00a0singletrack on the whole course. \u00a0I was hoping I wouldn\u2019t feel obliged to take my turn pulling but I did my part and was feeling pretty good. \u00a0I couldn\u2019t quite hang with the guys for the climb up the singletrack but I was glad of their company for the road. \u00a0I was on my own again, but pedaling well. \u00a0I passed a couple of people I didn\u2019t expect to just before the pipline aid station, indicating I was indeed riding quite strong at this point \u2013 a quick stop to grab a cup of coke to top of my sugar and caffeine levels and I hit the dirt downhill to the road, all the time scouting for wheels \u2013 I did not want to be left alone into a headwind. \u00a0I successfully found a good wheel and we were joined by a couple of others. \u00a0We took our turns into the stiff headwind and made good time to the short paved hill before powerline. \u00a0I left the guys on the hill (Dennis was around at this point and apparently they were not too pleased that I rode away from them!) and got my head into what was to come with the powerline climb at mile 80.<\/p>\n
Powerline is a beast, no question. \u00a0Very few ride the bottom pitches but I was game to try \u2013 walking was nearly as much energy as riding at this point. \u00a0I rode the first pitch but something in my head forced me off the bike to hike up the rest of the 25% or so grade \u2013 I just wasn\u2019t willing to hurt enough to try and carry on riding. \u00a0No one was moving any better than anyone else at this point so we trudged on; slow progress but the top was getting closer. \u00a0Cresting the top you get a brief respite to spin the legs out before embarking on the rest of the powerline climb \u2013 still granny gear steep but ride-able, and I could ride it\u2026just. \u00a0The real top (lots of false summits on this) was a welcome sight and I was looking forward to letting loose on the downhill \u2013 this felt like the home stretch now, and while I was far from miserable I was definitely looking forward to the finish! \u00a0The last climb up the paved hill was my toughest patch all day \u2013 it\u2019s over 4 miles up and I was one gel short of energy. \u00a0Dennis had managed to get to the small aid station at the top of the climb and had gels\u00a0for me and a bottle I filled with coke at the aid station to get me home. \u00a0A bit more (steep!) climbing, a fun blast down the hill and you\u2019re almost back to town. \u00a0I\u2019d started feeling stronger again so the climb up the boulevard was nowhere near as bad as I feared and I rode past a few more people, smiling all the way to the finish.<\/p>\n
9:18 \u2013 a strong time and ride for my first time out on this course, 14th overall female, up from about 25th at the halfway point. \u00a0Immediately after crossing the line I was pretty convinced I was in the \u2018one and done\u2019 camp, but before I\u2019d even got back to take a shower I was ready to commit to tackling it again next year.<\/p>\n
The actual race is only part of the experience; the people really made the week for me. \u00a0I rode with the Ride 2 Recovery team on the Wednesday before the race; getting to know them a bit and then seeing a lot of them out there on the race course brought a smile to my face every time and was hugely inspiring and motivating. \u00a0Some of the times they put down were quite incredible and I hope to ride with them more in the future.<\/p>\n
Sitting with a friend drinking coffee discussing the upcoming race turned into a chance meeting with Jeff who had been our tour guide round the course the previous year. \u00a0I hadn\u2019t realised until then quite how valuable that scouting trip was and how at ease it now had me during race week in terms of what to expect on the course. \u00a0I knew that each individual part of the course was ride-able and had some stored-up tips and advice from Jeff which had a huge impact on how calmly and methodically I was able to approach the day. \u00a0I thanked Jeff and wished him a good ride \u2013 he was going for his 10th consecutive Leadville finish, which he got, with an impressive time somewhere around 8:30.<\/p>\n
Seeing a friend I had forgotten was racing and who I hadn\u2019t seen in years was another highlight of my race day and being able to ride along and have a conversation for just a few minutes of the day before getting back to racing was really cool. \u00a0Then, going back and forth with a local Truckee friend who has encouraged and supported me all year in my Leadville quest was fun for me as well, although he had no idea I had passed him on the way back through pipeline only for him to then blow past me again on the last descent without realising it. \u00a0I guess I\u2019m quite observant on the race course, or maybe I should be focusing more on what I\u2019m doing?!<\/p>\n
Rebecca Rusch took a different approach to her Leadville week this year, combining her book launch (I devoured the entire book on our drive home and am tempted to read it a second time!) with several rides and clinics to provide support and advice for us regular folk. \u00a0Her race day was dedicated to pacing a friend of hers to break 9 hours (they smashed it!). \u00a0I was lucky enough to speak with Rebecca a couple of times leading up to the race and her two pieces of advice, \u2018don\u2019t go too hard on adrenalin for the first 2 hours\u2019 and most of all \u2018enjoy the journey\u2019 stuck with me for a lot of race day and beyond. \u00a0I hope she knows how many other people I am sure she had an impact on during the week by being so accessible and open with professional advice, support and encouragement.<\/p>\n
I thought after Leadville was over, it would feel like the end of something, but actually it feels like the start. \u00a0I have a couple more big races this season back in the Xterra arena, so for now I am re-focusing on trying to remember how to swim and run. \u00a0However, I can feel the draw of more long mountain bike races in my future and feel like I have just started on the endurance mountain biking path. \u00a0I have a lot still to learn but know I am capable and motivated to continue to improve, so I think you will find me on the Leadville start line again next year to continue my journey.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The following post by Sian Turner, o2fitness athlete extraordinaire…. It\u2019s difficult to describe the Leadville 100 mountain bike race to anyone who hasn\u2019t experienced it first hand. \u00a0There is something about it that is hard to put a finger on; I guess it has a similar allure for mountain bikers that the Kona Ironman […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[35],"class_list":["post-3057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-athletes-blog","tag-sian-turner"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3057"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3057\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"cropped-Twin-Lakes\"](\"http:\/\/silversagecenter.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/cropped-Twin-Lakes.jpg\")
<\/a>The following post by Sian Turner, o2fitness athlete extraordinaire….<\/p>\n