Ouachita Challenge

I've always considered the Ouachita Challenge to be one of the two most challenging races I do each year as far as being technical and long. This race is a 60 miler held in the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas. This year it drew folks from 17 different states and 260 racers were at the start. You can always expect to see the pros at this race as with most Arkansas endurance mountain bike races.

The past 2 years I raced this on my single speed. This year I was trying the 1 x 9. Due to there being road and gravel sections, I wanted to see if my gears could gain some time among the other geared women. My goal was top 7 this year. I knew there's no way I could be up there with the pros so had to realistically look more at the regional competitors. Anna Assenmacher has reappeared in the racing scene too. She is super strong and talented on the bike so was great to see her at the start.

The start of the race at a school in a small town called Oden, AR. We all bunch up in the parking lot like sardines. When the gun went off, we took off down a paved road which turns into gravel. This section is approximately 9.5 miles long. The goal here is to not crash when everyone takes off and keep the speed under control. It's easy to go fast on this section but, you will pay later on the single track if you have no legs. You can see Mark Gullet in this picture warning us of sharp left turn.

The 1st single track section is Big Bushy which leads you up to Blowout Mountain. This, to me, is the some of the toughest single track in any of the races I do. This section also has the highest elevation with 1730 feet being the highest peak. This section has lots of rocks and boulders which leaves most hiking their bike for some of it. For me, I really try to pace myself through this section since it is physically and mentally so taxing. Also, the temperatures were really starting to warm up. I don't normally race with a camelbak but, sure glad I did for this race this year!

You end up popping back out onto another road section after you come off of Blowout Mtn and then, head to the Womble trail system. My legs were still feeling pretty good but, the heat was really affecting my energy level. I started seeing so many folks on the side of the trail. They all said they were ok.  This section is always so misleading for me. I seem to always remember this as the last single track section and not too technical. What I forget is how long this section is and the climbs.  Normally, it would feel fun and somewhat flowing if you haven't been racing for hours already. I started seeing more women on this section though which helped me find some hidden energy that would help move me up in the ranks. 

I came off this section with little left in the gas tank and hit the final road section to the finish line. Of course...they make you ride up a hill for the finish. I ended up achieving my goal, beat my times from last 2 years, and placed 6th overall women. 19 women originally registered but, I think 14 actually raced.  I know the top 3 women race pro and Anna A placed 4th. I was very happy with my finish. There were many folks who did not finish or meet the cut offs this year. I truly think the heat really affected us all this year.

I also squeezed in a short local UFD series race the weekend prior to Ouachita at Lost Valley. Took it easy on this race for the 3hour race to save a little for Ouachita and I also knew I wouldn't be able to catch Laura Scherff anyway. It was a good race and also got pretty warm. Placed 2nd marathon women. Loved having Qdoba on site for after the race and the red Sram hats!!

Up next...Bone Bender 6 hour and Arkansas Marathon Series Race #3, Slobberknocker (75 mile very hilly/mountain gravel bike race).