They call it the Prescott Six'er. It was my first ever endurance mountain bike race. I had done just a couple other mountain bike races before, but it wasn't since my college years. I found it funny that since I moved here, everyone has either given me a hard time for 'becoming a mountain biker' or thinks that I am just 'a mountain biker'. It just goes to show how easy it can be to create a new identity (if you like) in a new place. But, the reality is, is that this is a new venture for me - and I've got so much to learn!

This past month has included several long and epic adventures on my mountain bike to help me prepare for a six hour event including a ride over Tom's Thumb. I drove up to Prescott early Saturday morning. My friends Raul and Danielle came along too with Raul participating in the solo event (trust me, I had to twist his arm) and Danielle as our awesome feeder. My brother in law Evan had also driven down from Crested Butte to do the race with me and then tag along back to Scottsdale to visit with us for a few days.

As Prescott is much higher in altitude, we had to account for the actual fall-like weather. There was frost on the ground and a chill in the air. It felt so good to open the car door and shiver! I pulled my white wool cap over my ears and jacket over my arms before walking over to registration.

The race started under a large Muscle Milk banner and music blaring. I did my usual pre-race dancing to ease the jitters and get my adrenalin flowing. The national anthem sang and we were off. My instincts told me to get away from people so I wouldn't get caught up on the single track. But I had to control my urges to go out even harder. I moved up the path and around as many people as possible. People were slowing on the hills and it because a cluster. A few times I held myself in a track stand so as not to un-clip. Soon I moved forward and found my competitor in the green Landis kit. Her name was Katie.

I rode Katie's wheel for several hours. After going back and forth from my passing her on the climbs to her going around me on the more technical downhill stuff, I realized she was going to be competitive. Her transitions were smooth. Each lap, she would go past her tent, have her support person go through her shifting, and then she's either run to the bathroom or grab a bite to eat in just a split second. I hadn't figured out the importance of transitions. I figured that stopping for a second to grab a new bottle or some food would be fine...but later realized that those little stops can catch up down the road.

At the time, I had no idea that there was another woman up from us so I thought that Katie and I were battling for 1st and 2nd. After lap 3 (the third hour), I thought that maybe I should pace myself better and hung back just a little from Katie, yet still keeping her in sight. As we came through the feed zone on lap 4, my stomach was a wreck and I needed to stop for an extra minute to scarf down the delicious PB & J that Danielle had made. Danielle giggled as I stuffed the sandwich into my face, "This is the BEST sandwich ever!!" I handed her the crusts and headed back out. I had lost sight of Katie by then and thought for sure I would have time to catch up to her.

It was that lap that I flatted. I had passed a lady who was stopped changing her tire. "Are you ok?" I asked. She smiled. I continued on, but soon found my back tire seemed very low. It appeared to be a slow leak. I decided to put in a new tube. As I was hurrying to change, Evan blew by (he was in 3rd), "Ok Melissa?" I shook my head, "Just fine!" A few more riders went by including another lady. I had mistaken her as being in the duo category, but alas, she was a solo rider. I was now in 4th place. After I lost about 5 or so minutes, I continued on. I stopped at the tent and added more air to my tire. My adrenalin was high so I was ready to make up time on this next lap. Danielle had a banana and more food for me.

I made some time on the next lap but my body was starting to fatigue. I kept eating, drinking and slapping my face (I recently saw on Myth Busters that slapping actually increases brain function). I had to stay focused as I was starting to get sloppy and had countless instances of almost taking myself out.

On lap six, I was ready to be off my bike. I knew that my average lap times would land me at the finishing lap, just before the time cut for one more lap. I did not want to do another hour of riding. My brain was starting to turn to mush, my body screamed at me, and my stomach was a wreck from all of the race food (sugar) I had been eating all day. I kept going and about half way through the lap, caught up to Raul. He was ready to be done too. "I'm doing my victory lap, Melissa!" He had already crashed 6 times and had gotten his beer feed. I laughed and moved along. As I finished the lap, I checked my Garmin on the time. I was cutting it so close to do one more lap. I came through the feed zone with 3 minutes to spare! "No!!" I exclaimed. "I don't want to do another lap...six is enough for me today!!" I stopped at our tent and asked the other people how far ahead my competitors were. "Oh they are about 7 minutes up." I shook my head. I knew with how my body was functioning, I wasn't going to make up 7 minutes with one more lap. I waited the time out and crossed the line at 6 hrs and 4th place. I didn't realize until the awards that I had gotten 4th. I thought that I had made the podium. But I wasn't too disappointed as it was my first go at it, and it was a different game to learn. Plus Evan got 3rd in the men's race...so one Ross made it on the podium!