Victory Velo Halloween Duathlon–Robin

Date/Location:	October 28, 2012 – Auburn, CA
Distances:	5.8 mi R - 9 mi B
Time:	2:10:48 (53:52-1:16:54)
Place:	1st Woman
Teammates:	Dan/Dawn/Devon Tebbs, Jesse Warda, Melissa Johnson, Troy Soares

The run goes from Victory Velo to the Overlook to the Western States Trail to the Old Foresthill Bridge.  The bike goes from the Confluence Trail, around the Clementime Loop and up Stage Coach.

Troy and I are a medical team this year: Dr. Soares and Nurse Soares.  As we arrive at the store we don’t see as many costumes this year but there still are some good ones: Superman, Storm Trooper (Devon), Shera (Dawn), Conan (Dan), Kitty Cat, Mario, and Ape.  We line up and get ready to run.  This year Devon Tebbs, a third grader and a Skyridge Jog-A-Thon winner, is running with us.  

We take off.  Troy, Jesse and Devon are running quick.  I’m impressed with Devon’s effort!

Mile 1 is 7:52. We are now on the trail heading over to the Western States trail.  Runners coming up the trail giggle and smile as they see me, the nurse, and Superman behind me. 

Mile 2 is 7:18.  I’ve caught up to Devon and he’s still running strong!  I tell him to listen for my Garmin watch to tell us when we’ve completed the next mile.  Doug Houston and Abe Ditman go by.  “Good job!”

Mile 3 is 8:49.  “There goes the beep, that means we have 2 miles to go I think.”  So far, no one has caught Devon and I.  We make it to the Western States 100 mile course.  “Don’t look back Devon, watch the obstacles”.  It’s a steep decent and we are letting gravity carry us down.  Devon is noticing the sights and sounds.  I appreciate that since often I’m in such a hurry to get places I hardly notice those things sometimes.

Mile 4 is 10:12.  Melissa catches us as we get to the waterfall.  Wow, there is a lot of water and I try to make it across without getting my feet wet.  Darn, I stepped in the water…oh, well.  Devon gets across well.  We say bye to Melissa as she continues on. 

Mile 5 is 10:00.  “We are almost there Devon.  No hands bridge is right around the corner”.  The Kitty Cat catches us.  “Stay with the Kitty!”  I can tell Devon is tired but his attitude remains amazing.  As we turn up the trail from No Hands, it gets really steep.  For a moment Devon walks, but then he’s back at it.

Under Hwy 49 bridge and back up onto Old Foresthill Rd.  Soon we can hear his dad, Dan, and others cheering for him.  It lifts his spirits and he flies to the finish.  I try to go with him with no success.  As I get to the finish, I give Devon a high 5 and run to my bike.  I'm the 2nd woman to transition.

As I’m getting ready, Cindy Ditman says hi and takes a picture.  I jump on my bike and away I go!  The first section is along the North Fork of the American River.  It’s much wider and less bumpy as in previous years thanks to a base jumper who had to be rescued.  It’s worked to my benefit and I am able to bike right through without having to get off my bike…yeah!  It also helps I rode this yesterday for practice.

I see another racer in his Victory Velo gear.  As I get closer, I can see he’s just riding a Felt road bike on the bumpy, dirt road…wow, impressive!  As the climbing begins, I’m feeling pretty good and it seems like I’ll catch that guy. 

Once I’m 2 miles up and off the dirt, I’m not any closer to the guy.  My legs are feeling really tired now.  That run downhill really beats you up!  I continue pressing and push through to the top of the road.

The road bike guy continues on the road and I turn off onto the trail.  Okay, here we go.  After some more climbing, it’s time to descend.  Last year, I was stressed and scared going down this.  This time I’m relaxed and calm.  I know I can do better and I know I’ll still need to walk some sections.  Lord, please keep me from crashing.

I make it down to the tunnel feeling confident.  I pull down my shades as I go through the tunnel and focus on the light ahead.  Lord, keep me upright.  I make it through!  I even get down a section I walked yesterday.

Towards the bottom, I get off my bike on a few sections but I’m quickly back on.  I finish the Culvert trail and cross Old Foresthill Road and continue on to the Mammoth Bar trail.  I know the first half will be great and it is.  Then it gets really rocky, narrow…to top it off, I’m on the edge of a cliff…oh dear, a bad mental combination for me.  I do some major walking here.  On one section I try to forge through but halfway chicken out.  For a second I’m teetering on my bike towards the cliff side!  I am able to steady myself and stop…phew!  Thank you God!  After a few riders pass, I walk the rest of this section.

I am able to ride the bottom of the trail and make it back to Old Foresthill Road.  I ride over the bridge and head for the last climb, Stagecoach.  Last year I was dragging here.  I’m tired but definitely have more energy this time.  I catch a Victory Velo guy going up. “Good job”.  He tells me to save him a beer.  It doesn’t seem long until I’m at the top.  Yeah!  I made it!!   Thank you God!!

Victory Velo Holloween Duathlon–Troy

Date/Location:	October 28, 2012 – Auburn, CA
Distances:	5.8 mi R - 9 mi B
Time:	1:40 (43:30-56:30)
Place:	1st
Teammates:	Dan/Dawn/Devon Tebbs, Jesse Warda, Melissa Johnson, Troy Soares

This is my 3rd year joining this fun, grass-roots event.  The first year was just weeks after the Lord healed my chronic foot pain.  I'm thankful for 3 years running without pain.
After dropping off our mtn bikes 1000 ft. below at the American River Confluence, we gather at the Victory Velo Bike Shop in Auburn.  Many are in costume.  Robin & I are a Nurse & Doctor.  The youngest participant today is 8 yr old Devon Tebbs dressed as a Star Wars Clone Trooper.
Quickly, shop owner, Dan Tebbs, describes the course and says, "Well, get going!" and we're off!  (things I didn't remember before race start:  turn on my Garmin, pray for our race, tie my shoes, go to the bathroom).
We start off somewhat casual.  Up the steep Cherry Ave it's Abe (Charlie Brown), myself, Jesse Warda, Devon Tebbs (clonetrooper), Robin, Melissa, etc.  Devon moves up to 2nd!  Down onto the tracks and Devon is leading.  He's already breathing hard and I'm hoping he'll slow down a little to conserve.  It's actually a tough 6mi run to the river below.  We're all encouraging Devon, amazed by his running abilities.  He recently ran over 4mi during a 30 min jog-a-thon at Skyridge School.
It's a small group, about 20 runners, and I realize the "race" is going to be between Jesse & I.  Jesse has been running lately and I already know he's a tough cyclist, especially on the hills.  I'm thinking I've got to get ahead of him on the run to stay ahead on the bike.  Jesse & I pull away, carefully negotiating the deep rocks along the train tracks.  We shoot down the Western States trail.  Devon is 100yds back but still going fast.  He'll be ok as Robin and the other runners catch up to him  (Robin actually ran the rest of the way with him until he sprinted away the final 400yds!).
Jesse & I are chatting and he is letting me lead the way because I know the trail.  Although someone marked the course this year.  I'm breathing hard and the temp is heating up.  Still, my doctor's scrubs is a good running costume.  My dental hygienist (and Western States Finisher) let me borrow them.  Jesse is hardly breathing.  He's quite a runner!  He even slows up for me when I have to tie my shoes.  After pulling ahead, he has to slow again to wait for horses to clear the trail.  But along the fire-road by the river he gets a huge lead on me.
On Hwy 49 near the confluence I can see Jesse a couple minutes ahead.  I'm pushing but I feel taxed, hot and out-of-breath.  I really want to get on the bike to get some temporary relief.
43:30. Transitioning, I'm offered a beer.  That's how easy-going and fun this event is.  But I'm going for a best effort.  I've been practicing on the course leading up to this and I have to know I gave it my best.. so, no, I'm not going to drink a beer.  But Jesse is.  He's also emptying his camelback pack of the rocks that his friends filled it with before he got there.
I take off before Jesse and he opts to not finish his beer and catch me instead. We're riding together and talking which makes it fun.  He couldn't get all the rocks out in time so he's carrying quite a bit of extra weight but, as usual, Jesse always has a good attitude and laughs it off.  I'd like to ride the whole hill together and chat but if I don't put a couple minutes between us, he'll blow me away on the treacherous decent with his full suspension bike.  He knows the trail well, too, as he helped construct some of it.
Climbing, I focus on my new technique of pulling up more and pushing down less.  I'm climbing well.  I never let up.  1/2 way and I've pulled ahead.  At the top I think I've got the couple minutes I need. I switch mental focus from strength to agility as I hold onto the brakes for dear life.  If you're a downhiller, this is a super cool trail.. berms, drop-offs, a tunnel, and huge jumps!  I avoid the jumps.  I also slow down a little on the rocks and bumps.  My front fork is old and a little damaged.. I don't want to push it.  But it's still a lot of fun, when it's not too bumpy.
1:24:00. I make it to the bottom without Jesse catching me.  There's a 2mi climb left to the finish so I feel confident I'll hold him off.  I'd love to take it easy, but I have to give my best.  I think about Robin. I pray that God keeps her safe on the descent. She doesn't get much practice on technical trails and this one can be dangerous. 1/2 way up I see a random mtn biker way ahead up ahead and challenge myself to catch him.  Many hikers are out and give me some double-takes in my Doctor costume.  I catch the rider and sprint to the finish first.  Whew, that was a tough workout!  1:40:00
Robin was kept safe and did very well.  We're both exhausted and kick back at the post event BBQ while the kids chase each other around playing hide-and-seek.  Thanks, Lord, for a good day!

Sierra Trail 5K–Robin

Date/Location:	October 20, 2012 – Granite Bay, CA
Distances:	5km Run (3.48miles actual)
Time:	23:42
Place:	1st
FCA Teammates:	Desiree Swift; 1/2 Marathon – Karen Nickel

Desiree and I drive down to Granite Bay.  Troy is watching her kids along with mine so he’ll be doing his own sort of race!  On the way down we pray for Karen who is starting the 1/2 Marathon an hour before our race.
This race is to help me get tuned up for the Davis Turkey Trot 5K stroller race.  Trail running is tough and hopefully will put stress on my body similar to pushing a stroller with a 40 lb. kid, Ariel.
We pick up our gear at registration.  It’s a perfect beautiful morning.  Desiree and I warm up and wonder how Karen is doing out there… somewhere.  Desiree’s hamstring is bothering her so we pray just before the start for that and for us to be a good example of Christ out in the race. 
As I line up for the start, I regret not looking more closely at the map online. I was betting on following someone else but there are only 45 people doing it so it could get lonely and desolate.  I know that TBF always marks the course well but you never know.
"On your mark… get set.. go!"  In the first hundred yards I am leading the race.  I start praying “Lord, please help me go the right way.  I don’t want to mess up anyone’s race.”  There are lots of arrows marking the way and each time I don’t see one for a bit, I hold my breath and pray.
The course starts to spiral.  We keep winding up tighter and tighter.  Oh Lord, this doesn’t seem right.  Soon the spiral seems to reverse and we are heading against the back of the pack.  Arrows seem to confirm that I’m going the right way but it just seems weird.  There is a runner behind me and he doesn’t seem to be complaining so we must be good!
Mile 1 is 6:52.  I’m happy with that!  I continue to pray step by step and continue to find my way.  Thanks God!
Mile 2 is 6:41.  We are heading back towards the finish!  It’s good to know that it’s almost over and the pressure of finding my way will soon end.  We start merging with and passing the half marathon runners.  “Where did you get that energy?” a guy says.  I tell him we are 5Kers and that he’s doing a great job.  Where do we go now?  Up ahead, I see a sign pointing to the left for the 5Kers.  Yeah!
Mile 3 is 6:54.  That last mile had a lot of tight turns which slowed the pace.  I’m still happy with my effort.  As I continue to run I can tell this course is going to be long.  I continue to dig and hope my legs have over 3.1 miles in them.  It seems quiet behind me now and I’m tempted to ease up.  I’m reminded of my upcoming stroller race against Dave Campbell.  I cannot let up when he’s around so better not here either!
I finally see the finish!  I make it across first.  Wow, thanks God!  I’m soon followed by 2 other girls and then a guy.  Wow, girl power at the finish today.  I wait for Desiree and she brings in 2nd for our age group.  Great day!  Now it’s time to wait for Karen to finish.