Mountain biking race (Creve Coeur Hearbreaker) 1:05:41 [4] 10.4 mi (9.5 mph) +633ft
shoes: Trek SuperFly
Did cat 3 race instead of marathon because I'd planned a party for Nathan before realizing there was a conflict. Led from drop-in to woods until about 1/2 way through when my front wheel washed out and I had a really stupid crash. Fell into a lovely soft dead tree and came up laughing, but 2nd girl passed me there. On her wheel until I was able to pass her and then several guys as well and then held her off the rest of the lap and took first.
2nd and 3rd were true beginners, only racing for a couple months, whereas I'm more an unsuccessful veteran, but oh well. For the first time in a race I had to make several passes and had a lot of times where I was being held up by other people instead of the other way around, so that was a nice sign of progress. Also interesting to feel like I was racing instead of just focusing on a nice, steady effort like I normally do in a longer race.