Channel 3 MTB Mud Race

Don't fall asleep behind the wheel. Thats all i could think about this morning before the race and I would not DNF...If I had to run the course becuase of a mechanical, I would have...it would have been good exercise too. The little one decided that sleeping was not in his pre-race gameplan so....I didn't have to worry about an alarm clock to wake me up! At the start line, the usual suspects were present along with some new faces. Beginner class....my home of MTB racing. Training rides this week...zero...time on the MTB...limited. The rain stopped and the course looked to be rather mud-free in most sections. At the start whistle I got past quite a few riders (whom would be passing me later) and I was able to get up to 4th for most of the 1st lap, hanging on the back tire of Dave L most of that lap, Chuck and Roadie #2 were no where to be seen, however during the ascent up the twin maidens (or whatever they called those hills), three racers caught back up to me, so much for my climbing capabilities. We entered the switchbacks, a fun little section of ups and downs, tight left and right hairpin turns. The brakes..were caked with mud and grit, but they never really worked that well anyway, the panaracers were caked with mud and slipping over anything they touched but that was predictiable. However I was able to keep the pace high until the first wipe out on a hairpin downhill turn....three guys passed me in a flash. Onto the second lap. Lungs, heart were in overdrive..legs weren't too bad, lower back pain started kicking in but it wasn't too bothersome yet...gotta figure that out as to prevent it again. Some nice bridge crossings and pretty cool rock garden stream crossing made the course interesting and fun. Got passed by a few guys from the 40-49 group, I tried holding their wheel but they had the good speed to drop me like most. Crossed the finish line in 7th (out of 14), not too bad on little sleep. Bike made it through in one piece as did the rider. I was happy with my start, that was pretty cool to hang even just for a few minutes with those guys, I look forward to next weeks event where hopefully I can improve or just survive but with little one and work dictating the hours....just gonna show up and ride it like I stole it......