Event: Hershey's Race For Chocolate

Name: Lori Wagner

City: Carlisle

State/Province: PA

Country: USA

Age: 30

Place: 1st

Category: Sport

CLASS +/or Age group: 34 & under

Team: Team Harrisburg

XC Race Bike: Gary Fisher

Tires: The rear tire was a Mosquito - I'm not sure what the front one was.

Conditions: Wet & MUDDY!!

Email: Lori_Wagner@gbtpa.com

How was your fitness level going into this race?

I wasn't sure when I went into it, but I felt pretty good.

Were you happy with your position going into the singletrack?

Sure. There wasn't a back-up when you got to the singletrack this year.

Were you strong from start to finish?

Yeah, I was prepared to do 3 laps of that stuff - so when we were told we were done at the end of the 2nd lap, I was pretty surprised. I was trying so hard to pace myself so I had enough energy to get through the 3rd lap!

When did you put the hammer down?

I don't think I ever did - I just tried to go as fast as I could when I hit dry spots on the course (ok, spots that weren't as soupy!!) I was saving myself for the 3rd lap.

Did you have any unusual problems?

Besides mud and grass stuck in everything, no.

Were you happy with the way the race was run?

Yes. I think everything went very smoothly.

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

Everyone on the course was great! Talk about polite and fun people!! And the spectators were great cheering everyone on. Didn't seem to matter what team you were on, everyone was very encouraging.

Anything you would like to add?

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming out in the terrible weather AGAIN to cheer me on!! You are troopers!! Thanks to my teammates for all the cheering!! And big thanks to Scott & Davey for the tires :o) They worked great!!!