MMT: Mountain Biking at Norfolk

Yesterday after work I found myself the only female amongst 6 hard-core looking mountain bikers. I knew I was in trouble, and tried to back out so I wouldn't hold up the group, but they weren't having that. No wimping out allowed. Fortunately, one guy took pity on me and offered to take me out early to get a head start. This was a huge help as it allowed me to get past the worst of the uphills before the rest of the group caught up.

We went through Norfolk, eventually hitting the Waimanalo Ditch Trail where the guys announced they were going to do the full loop around Olomana. Crap. I'd only done that one time, about a year ago, and it was way out of my league. Again, I tried to back out and head home, but peer pressure was invoked, and against my better judgement, I labored up the hill towards the loop.

Thank heavens another fellow took pity on me and stayed with me the whole way. My biggest fears were getting lost or not making it out before night fell. This guy knew the trail well and patiently assured me we would get out before dark. The trail was very rooty and rocky, and obstacles are my biggest weakness, so it was a trying experience for me. Also, since my conditioning is lacking, by the last mile or so I was so exhausted that I was making stupid mistakes and basically becoming a danger to myself. Still, eventually I managed to make it out with nothing worse than some scratches and bruises.

Part of me is irritated with the machismo of men who are so far ahead of me in skills and fitness that they dragged me into something that I wasn't really ready for, but the other part is grateful that they made me do it. I discovered I had blown up the trail in my head to be worse than it really was. Don't get me wrong, it was nasty, but now I know I can do it, in however ugly a fashion. Someday, I'll tell the leader thanks, but it's not going to be today.

Since I was stiff and sore, I spent another half-hour of stretching before going to bed. It really does seem to help with recovery. On a side note, I couldn't get to sleep last night. I was in bed with the lights off by 10:30, but I didn't get to sleep until somewhere around midnight. I could feel my pulse going faster than normal, I wouldn't call it "racing," but it was definitely elevated. I hope that isn't going to be a regular thing following these Monday rides. I need sleep!

Here's the trail: http://www.trailguru.com/wiki/index.php/Track:6X8A

Current weight: 125, 27.5%