Dirty Kanza has come and gone. The report, like the race itself, promises to be epic in scale. While you wait, here's a quick recap for those of you who don't facebook or twitter and so missed out on the chance to catch a couple brief updates. And for those of you who do and who took the time to support and encourage me, THANK YOU. The facebook and twitter comments truly kept me going. Seriously. I probably would have quit around 9:30 if you people had let me.
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| The historic Granada Theater, site of racer registration, the pre-race meeting, and the start line. |
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| All smiles before the race... (about 5:45 a.m.) |
It was an
amazing experience.
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| And still smiling afterwards (about 2 a.m.) (reapply your sunscreen) |
The Flint Hills are beautiful, vast and green and wide open.
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| Note the road snaking up the hill in the distance. |
But anyone who tells you Kansas is flat is a damn liar.
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| Kansas: not flat |
I had some highs...
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| Some time around 2 or 3...maybe... |
And some lows...
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| Some time around 7:30ish after turning down a ride back. |
In the end, my Dirty Kanza lasted from 6 a.m. Saturday until around 12:30 a.m. Sunday. I didn't finish, getting in just 160 of the 200ish miles. I ended up needing a ride back after falling and hurting my knee, but I was two hours past the time cutoff for the checkpoint I was riding to, so my race had long been over.
And though I didn't finish, four of my teammates as well as several other friends did, and I got to be there cheering for some of them at the finish line. Watching Luke, Bob, Adam, and Derrick finish was almost as sweet as making it there myself because I know how hard they worked to get there.
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| Finishers!! (sometime around 2:30 a.m.) |
Dirty Kanza was by far the hardest thing I've ever done, or attempted to do. It was wonderful and terrible. I was tested in so many ways, and though I fell short overall, there were many small truimphs throughout the day. I'm disappointed that I didn't finish, but I'm ok with what I managed. It would have been
really easy to not register for this race because I knew I had basically no chance of finishing, but it was never about finishing. It was about attempting something big and seeing what I was made of...and finding out that I'm stronger than I ever knew.
Now, next year...that'll be about finishing. I've got a score to settle.
Check out the full version of my race report
here.
Outstanding! Next year. That 7:30 pm photo is priceless. Way to go Team Virtus.
ReplyDeleteLoved this though I'd seen most of it on FB. The fact that you are already gearing up for next year says it all!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read the full report, and I can't tell you how proud I am of you. You've made all of Team Virtus proud to call you our teammate.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to give too much away, but there were two instances in particular where you showed more strength than I think I could have.
And I'm SO glad you were there to attempt the whole race instead of the DK Lite. You just wouldn't have gotten the full effect otherwise.
And now you sound like the rest of us that have been to the Dirty Kanza. You're already talking about next year. I can... not.... wait!
Well said! I'm proud of you cuz. You're a champ in my eyes :)
ReplyDeleteKansas doesn't look flat at all! Not one bit! I am still amazed at how far you rode. I didn't get a chance to tell my biking colleague today but I can't wait to brag about you.
ReplyDeleteDude you rock! That's amazing, and I can't wait to hear more about the race.
ReplyDeleteKate, you didn't fall short by any means. Awesome race report, thanks for sharing and congratulations on facing down the toughest ride ever.
ReplyDeleteI love your last line! Good for you--this was all about testing the waters!
ReplyDeleteI just want you to know how pissed off I am that you look pretty in that 7:30 photo.
ReplyDeletePretty? There's no pretty in endurance sports!
DK 2013 better watch out for you. Absolutely.
Oh, you are way too nice! That's my "I just spent 20+ minutes sobbing while riding my bike and I have NO idea why I wanted to do this stupid race!" face.
ReplyDeleteYou rock Kate! 160 miles is damn impressive, on gravel no less!
ReplyDeleteSuper Kate! seriously I am so impressed with what you did, you are brave.
ReplyDeleteFantastic Kate! We were on the trails this weekend and talked about you a lot. You did extremely well! Just starting that race is an achievement because it is so tough. Rest well and I hope the knee is OK.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Super Kate! You had the commitment to push to the melting point and beyond. Amazing the strength you found within yourself! I think that fall that hurt your knee was a gentle reminder you had gone far enough. It is one thing to stagger to a finish on legs far too gone, but "staggering" on a bicycle is really scarey.
ReplyDeleteGolden Girl
Great Job!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat 7:30 photo looks like you're doing an impression of Ned Beatty in "Deliverance" right after he receives a compliment about his orthodonture.
ReplyDeleteNext year only 40 miles and you'll be at 200! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome job, awesome attitude and so cool you're already planning on going back.
This is why you wear a cape! Good job YOU!
ReplyDeleteHey girl...I'm sitting at the airport in SF waiting for my flight home and been dying to know how the ride went! I'm sorry you weren't able to to finish, but finish sminish, you did great and I can't believe you rode your bike for that freaking long! Good lord, how are your girl bits? I bet no one is touching them for a few weeks - hehe. Well done, SK, I am so very proud of you!!
ReplyDeleteI am crazy proud of you. Bummer about your knee and I hope you recover quickly. 160 miles??? You are, indeed, SuperKate!!
ReplyDeleteGreat smiles! And I am very glad that at 02.00 a.m. you can have such a smile!
ReplyDelete