Event: Blue Marsh XC

Name: Joel Nace

City: Mt. Wolf

State/Province: PA

Country: United States

Age: 28

Place: 1st

Category: Sport

CLASS +/or Age group: Senior 1 (19-29)

Team: First Capital Velo

XC Race Bike: Cannondale Scalpel Team

Tires: Hutchinson Mosquito/Specialized Team Master

Conditions: Rainy and Very Muddy

Email: joelchemist@suscom.net

How was your fitness level going into this race?

Pretty good. I was surprised that I felt as good as I did after an always tough Michaux race.

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

Yes, I was. The climb to the top of the ski slope had me quit winded though.

Were you strong from start to finish?

I was struggling the first quarter of the race. I think it was from not getting a chance to properly warm up. I felt better as the race went on, though.

When did you put the hammer down?

I never really felt that I could in those conditions. It was a big struggle just to keep wheels rolling.

Did you have any unusual problems?

I took a couple wrong turns and wrecked a couple of times. I just had a rough time concentrating. I don't know what I was doing.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes, it was run well considering the weather.

Did you have any interesting experiences during your race (exchanges with competitors/spectators)?

I would like to thank the lady who told me that I was going the wrong way after my first lap. If it wasn't for her, I might have continued to climb up the ski slope again.

Anything you would like to add?

I would like to thank Ed Brandt of Adventure Cycling and Fitness, and my First Capital Velo teammates for the continued support.