NMBS #2 Cross Country TOP 15!!!

I have mentioned that it was hot in the Santa Ynez valley? At least today it cooled down maybe a couple of degrees, but the wind was not going to let us off that easy.

Again, with a decent start position on the far right side second row, the announcer sends us off...but no one hears him...he does is again...still no response..third times the charm...and whamo! there's a big pile up on the left side of the start group! Thank god I was on the right! I high tail it the heck out of there and am immediately in the top 15 position. We get through the first third of the race course which is fairly flat and I feel good until we turn to start the first climb...crap I went out too hard, I lose a couple of spots but talk myself up and convince myself that I will recover on the first decsent. Sure enough we come through the feed zone and I can hear friends "Kick ass Emily" "your doing awesome". I feel my legs start to come back to me. A Canadian Trek girl comes around me, she seems very strong and a good wheel to sit on, especially when we hit the head windy sections. I glue myself to her wheel and sure enough we are picking girls off again. We catch on to another group, containing one of my teammates Jenna and an ex bearnakeder Judy. We glue ourselves to their wheels and make them do the work. I am going to play this race smart! They keep trying to attack, but obviously don't realize the repercussions that the wind can have on you. Eventually, they all start fading away except my teammate Jenna. We come through the start finish and have only half a lap to go (the second lap was cut short due to time and head constraints). I come up next to Jenna and we can see a small group in front of us. Using my amazing roady skills i tell her we should do quick pulls and we can bring them in. Sure enough as we are about to hit the climb, we pick them off. Jenna gets a good burst of energy and breaks away from me but I keep plugging as hard as I can, legs still feel great! I will not let anyone catch me.

I head into the second to last turn to home and there is guy there " your doing awesome, no one is behind you and your in 13th!" 13th!!!!!! Holy crap! I drive it into the finish line with a shit eating grin on my face to see my buddy Ray with a cold towel and a gatorade! He wipes my face and says " you kicked ass!" I know and I still can't believe it! That was the best darn gatorade ever!