Leadville 100 MTB Race 2009

Okay so my brother and I had this great idea this past year to register for and train to race the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race in Leadville, CO. So we got in the race and the rest is history. We trained all spring/summer and finally when race day came we were ready and excited to race in this historic event.

The best part about it was having my wife and two of my kids there to cheer me on in the difficult moments when I just about quit. Another one of the highlights was the simple fact that I was able to race with my brother Ryan and several friends from Orem, Utah. Even though my brother was 2 months shy of competing in his first complete Ironman in Florida and was in better shape than I was, it was still fun to know that he was a few minutes ahead of me the entire race and that along with the presence of Kristin and the kids gave me enough strength to keep going even in those times when I wanted to quit. I went through more energy drink, shot blocks, PB&J's, Cliff Bars, etc. than I care to ever do again over the course of what turned out to be almost a 12 hr day.

Another highlight was to be able to race with and see the greatest cyclist of all time, Lance Armstrong. He is an amazing athlete and was such a specimen on the bike especially after just coming off the podium and a second place finish in this years Tour de France. The race is an out and back course so before the 52-mile turnaround point you get to see everyone that is ahead of you coming back down what was the most difficult 2+ hr. climb of my life. The race starts at 10,200 ft. above sea level in the beautiful historic mining town of Leadville, and tops out at 12,600 ft atop Columbine Mine. From the mile 40 checkpoint you climb non-stop for 10 miles and over 3,200 vertical feet high above the tree line. When I saw Lance flying down the trail at full speed right at me it was exhilarating.

This photo is at the turnaround of Lance out in the lead all by himself. So many have asked, "Do you think you will do it again." My answer is yes. I think I will take a year off because I am probably going to do LOTOJA in 2010 and it is a different kind of race so I will train mostly on my road bike this next year, but I definitely want to try and do Leadville again. It was the race of a lifetime and if I am fortunate to get in the race again I will train harder and hopefully turn in a faster time.


THIS WAS IN THE MORNING WITH LOW 30'S TEMPS AND NERVOUS PRE RACE JITTERS.














THIS IS LITERALLY JUST A MINUTE BEFORE THE SHOT GUN START.














THIS WAS RIGHT AFTER CROSSING THE FINISH LINE. STILL A SMILE BUT IT WAS HARD TO PULL THAT ONE OFF. THE BEST PART WAS HAVING MY KIDS JUMP THE ROPE SPRAY FOAM ON ME AND GIVE ME A BIG HUGE HUG.











THE REWARD!














THE HARDWARE!!!























MY BIKE!!! LANCE'S BIKE!!!