A Weekend of Firsts

Friday afternoon, after dropping off the boys (Max and Kermit) at my parents for the weekend, I decided to take my mountain bike down to hurricane, possibly thinking to do the race with Mike. And, that I did. I finished my first ever mountain bike race - the good ol' Cholla. A few highlights of the experience:

1. I fell more times than I can possibly remember or count.
2. I rode (and then fell, and then pushed my bike) on terrain I've never attempted - including slick rock, deep, deep sand and gravel and really steep little hills.
3. I was lapped...Twice by all those pros and experts. I had expected to see my cute hubby come up and lap me too, only to find out when I finished that his combination of being sick and a rubbing brake kept him from finishing his second lap...sorry babe!!
4. This was also my first time ever mountain biking with my clip ins (I've used them on my road bike for quite some time, but never managed to get past towing the burley and max around neighborhood streets in the mountain bike clips until now).
5. I figured out how to do a little more maneuvering/steering with the bike (i.e. I figured out how to hold up my pedals rather than let it dig right into the upcoming rock).
6. I rode for the first time outside with my OWN two eyes (no blasted contacts!) thanks to LASIK I had done last fall.
7. I finished!

I have a LONG way to go before I'll even be considered competitive in that type of race, and have new found respect for everyone that mountain bike races, but we all have to start somewhere. And, that I did. Maybe next time, I'll actually get on my bike before a race (I hadn't ridden a mountain bike trail for a LONG time). Thanks to Mike and his parents for encouraging me and cheering me on at the finish line!!

Both of us starting out....

And, finished (finally!)

The second big first for me was our hike this morning to the top of Angels Landing in Zions. It's about a 2.5 mile hike from the base of the canyon to the top, and then across the top to the peak, called Angels Landing. Definitely not for anyone with a fear of heights (yes, I fall in that category), I was ready to call it quits when I saw the steep, narrow rock incline that lay ahead. But, thanks to the encouragements from the fam, I made it to the top - enjoyed a beautiful view of the entire canyon (while sitting on a rock, of course), and made it all the way back down w/o any panic attacks!!

Hard to see in this size photo but look close at the people headed up. Yes, those chains were DEFINITELY needed in some areas (unless you're Mike and Jeri who to my amazement had almost NO fear up there!!)
The view that "scared me out of my shorts!" The end point is at top of the peak - about where the last tree is.

One of the gorgeous views from the end spot. BEEEUTIFUL!!!
Mike and me at the top, with the added scenery of the topless European guy.

Another shot from the top. Yes, that is a straight cliff drop-off at the end of the white rock we sat on.
Mike and I (standing!) at one of the "safe" lookout points.One of the switchbacks on the way back down. Amazing that someone actually built this.

Thanks to Mike, Doug and Jeri for their awesome support, company and laughs this weekend. And a BIG thanks to my parents and sister for taking care of the boys while we were gone!!

p.s. we also managed to catch a flick at the hurricane cinema. 21. entertaining!