2025 Silk Road Mountain Race

This morning I awoke to the good news that my application to the Highland Trail 550 bikepacking race in Scotland has been accepted.  I realized that I haven't updated this blog to discuss my 2025 Silk Road Mountain Race.  

I wrote an essay that the Idaho Women's Bikepacking Group published on Substack.  I'd republish it here but my perspective on the race has changed a little since soon after the race ended.  I'm feeling much more positive now, whereas I was very disappointed that I did not finish the race - again.  In sum, I rode 940 or so miles of the route and ended my race on day 14 which was somehow only 80% of the course (assuming my math is correct).  

I struggled with what may have been the onset of Shermer's Neck (my neck was burning when I'd try to ride downhill and I couldn't hold a riding position for more than a minute before I'd need to stop and release the stress and stretch).  I think my electrolytes were pretty off as well or something which resulted in me feeling like I was on day 3 or 4 of a 24/7 booze bender stumbling down the Las Vegas strip.  Please note that I've never actually done that (maybe I should), but it's how I imagine I would feel if I did that.  In any event, I was very super disappointed at the time that I didn't finish the race.  

Once I recovered physically and mentally, from both the race and the jetlag that hit me hard, I started to feel good about my effort and the outcome.  Sitting here this morning, I still don't regret missing the last 20% of the course.  I saw a lot and covered a lot of terrain.  I still don't feel like continuing was a reasonable option and I didn't have the time necessary to get a good recovery rest I would have needed to have any hope of finishing the course before my flight home. 

The race was beautiful and I'm proud of all my smart decisions during the race, such as stopping when I was falling asleep on the bike, going further when I felt good, and eating pretty consistently.  Of course, my 50 year old body, never that athletic to begin with, has its limits and I am at peace with that.  I did my best and was lucky enough to enjoy two weeks of riding my bike through one of the most beautiful countries on Earth.  

One of the best things about these races is meeting fantastic people.  I made new friends this year and always enjoy meeting other like-minded folks.

I am fortunate to be able to pursue this hobby and combine ultra endurance turtling with world travel and have a family that is supportive.  I'm excited to head to Scotland in May to tackle another beautiful and challenging race.  This time at lower elevation, shorter distance, and less travel.  Hopefully the whisky trail angels will be there to hand out whisky.  

2025 Thoughts and Plans

 I’ve gotten really bad about updating this.  It’s more of a diary at this point - albeit it public one.  I’ve registered to do the Silk Road Mountain Race again.  I’m not sure if it’s related to soon turning 50, or just feeling suddenly a bit of aging, but my athletic confidence has taken a bit of a hit.  Not that I was ever “confident,” I just don’t recall giving too much thought to what I could or couldn’t do, only whether I was trained at all.  But that never stopped me.  Now it seems I have to really work hard for the same level of mediocrity.  But that’s ok - I’m wiser and have learned some good lessons!  I had some confidence boosters as well.  In late September I did the East Idaho Epic, a 420 mile or so race that I completed just under 4 days.  

I experimented with going significantly lighter with a minimal sleep kit (I was too cold) and wanted to see if my body can handle consecutive long ass days.  It can handle 4 at least.  This was good information.

Just a couple weeks ago I returned to the Fat Pursuit 200k.  It’s “only” 120 or so miles but pretty challenging.  I was super nervous about this one and whether I still have the fortitude to endure in the cold.  It went pretty well and I camped in the cold and finished third woman.

This was a boost to my self confidence as what I learned was that if you keep going you can finish.  Funny that.  Also my friend suggested this self help book (You are a Badass) and there was a lot of woo in it but I decided I need to be more open minded about such things.  As if to prove my point, I had a weird thing happen where I got an unusual burst of “go” energy right around when it turned out my friend Betsy was imagining physically pushing me.  This next 50 years or so of life will be lived with more open mindedness and grace and all that.  I hope.  More immediately I’m going to train and keep balancing it all and I’m going to bring more pizzaz and intention to my athletic mediocrity!