TwoWheeledWorld

Mountain States Cup #6 at Eldora Ski Resort, Northwest of Boulder, CO

26mi

2 hours 7 minutes

Avg Heart Rate: 174 bpm

Max Heart Rate: 191 bpm

Ouch.

The course at Eldora took racers through the twisty and fast nordic ski trails near Eldora Ski Resort. Loamy, peaty, dark dirt and mud greeted us through this heavily forested 6 mile circuit. At an elevation of 9500ft temps were in the mid 70's and PERFECT racing weather. Eldora is one of the last remaining small ski areas in the state and was a breath of fresh air after visiting such world-class (and touristy) locations as Aspen, Telluride, and Crested Butte in recent months.

Things got rolling at noon for the Pro and Semi-Pro waves and after a crash-filled first lap for many, the field settled in and battled. Halfway through the final of four laps the skies opened for a brief but heavy rain shower which re-wetted the already tacky trails. With cold water streaming down my helmet, and soaking my thin jersey and shorts, I quickly cooled off-- quite a motivational factor in the last lap. Roots became polished and slick and the mud bogs became.......boggier.

At the finish line I hardly had enough time to change and get cleaned up before the results and awards ceremony. I knew I had a decent race and was hoping for a top 10, as this course doesn't suit to my strengths like the other big-mountain courses do because it's a little flatter, but I was able to stay strong enough. I didn't know how I placed until I heard my name over the announcer's PA rounding out the SemiPro podium in 5th place. I was a bit suprised with a top 5 here, and pleased with another solid performance.