April 25, 2004 - INTERVIEW
Name: Tammy Coleman
City: York
State/Province: Pennsylvania
Country: USA
Age: 26
Place: 1st
Category: Sport
Class or Age Group: 34 and under
Team: Gung Ho Bikes
Race Bike: Santa Cruz Juliana Hardtail
Tires: Hutchinson Python
Conditions: rainy, muddy
Email: tammytowson@hotmail.com
How was your fitness level going into this race?
I have been riding on the road all winter so I felt pretty good throughout
the race. My endurance has improved a lot since last year; I am working
on improving my leg strength since breaking my foot last year.
Were
you happy with your position going into the singletrack?
I wasn't really confident going into the singletrack since I had no clue
what my position was. I love the rocky singletrack and we all were really
packed together---if the person in front of you got off the bike you
often got stuck as well. I had a great ride finishing through the singletrack--stayed
on the bike and rode almost all of it!
Were you strong from start
to finish?
Yes, I felt really strong the whole race. It was definitely a huge difference
from last year.
When did you put the hammer down?
Not until after graves ridge. I think I had a really great ride through the
rocks coming back in at the end--I was really having fun at that point (probably
thinking about warm clothes and Rocco's pizza)
Did you have any unusual
problems?
I had so much mud in my eyes that they were blurry until I woke up on Monday.
Also, my brake pads were so worn that I didn't have much luck slowing
down. Finally--I crashed into a tree and bent my back brake lever so basically
any kind of braking was difficult.
Were you happy with the way the
race was run?
Overall, I was really happy. I think the course was great. It was marked
really well. The water people were wonderful. The prizes are always good,
and the swag toss is a lot fun. The guys at the finish line were so nice!
Anything
you would like to add?
Nothing I can think of right now?.? Oh---where was the massage crew?