Smurf along with Cara: Tandumbing Across the Sky in Leadville, CO

'The Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race is just like a 10k festival run', says my BFF Evie as we eat breakfast post race in the Delaware Hotel.

There is, of course, a hint of sarcasm in her voice and a twinkle in her eye as she pronounces this. But the allusions are there - the goodie bags, the post race food and vendor displays (even a beer tent!), the oftentimes random schwag (shower bomb, anyone?), the participants of all ranges of the athletic spectrum, all of whom are 'winners'. But, to steal a saying from the Mad Hatter from the most recent Alice in Wonderland, everything is much muchier. So much muchier.

My memories of 2011 are very different from 2010 - less perfect new car smell, more raw and functional. Just two days later, it already feels distant, like it happened in another lifetime. And maybe it did.

By virtue of our sub 9 hour, 80th place finish last year, we got to line up in the first 'corral' of 100 riders, pretty damn sweet. This helped us stay out of trouble at the start, except there was one scary moment when I thought there was going to be a 50 bike pileup. Although we lost all of our speed, and the smell of burned rubber and curses of stressed and angry-yet-relieved riders filled the air, everyone stayed upright and we barreled on toward St. Kevin's, first baby climb of the day.

Singletrack.com, somewhere during the start

What else do I remember?

My brother's voice at the first aid station, urging me to "Go Cara!" in the same tone my father used to use when I was growing up, only not so loud or urgent and therefore not embarrassing.

Being yelled at by a single bike rider for 'getting in the way' on the 1 mile of singletrack of the course, exiting said singletrack right behind the riders who entered ahead of us, and then towing Mr. Critical on the pavement afterward at some ridiculously high speed that he couldn't have possibly done on his own. (I believe a 'nyah nyah nyah' should have been issued, but I refrained, although I guess here's the call out - nyah nyah nyah, buddy!)

Passing through Twin Lakes outbound, CrestedButtePhotography.com

Frenchy (if you've watched either of the Race Across The Sky movies you should know this character!), descending Columbine while we were ascending, crying out in his adorable accent 'heyhey, tahn-demmm! Whey to go!" and one of the riders around us said 'did he call you a duo-dumb?' and I thought 'We're the lost duodumb of ravenclaw!' but no one would have understood my joke so I kept it to myself.

Watching the lead riders descend Columbine, cheering names and keeping up a running commentary with Andy as to who was going to place how. Remembering Todd Wells (Winner!) nursing a beer pitcher like it was a pint at an after party at the 2004 cyclocross nationals.

Seeing Rebecca Rusch in apparently the top 20 riders and feeling like an absolute hack. Animal!

Reaching the top of Columbine within a few seconds of last year's pace; feeling deceived somehow - I thought we'd be smashing last year's time.

The sketch Columbine descent, filled with sand, loose gravel, wheel grabbing rain gullies and walking riders spilling over into our line. So much slower than last year!

Timing our distance between the 2nd place tandem on Columbine - a healthy buffer.

Our low spot, the approach to the pipeline 2 aid station, where our legs didn't seem to work and I couldn't get Andy to eat or drink and we were passed by line after line of riders.

Blacking out and almost passing out as we walked up the steep, seemingly interminable sun-exposed powerline trail on the return.

Smiling for every dang camera I saw, cause gosh darnit I didn't want any grimaces recorded on film! But on Powerline I was too busy trying not to faint to remember to smile.

Andy stressing me out because we were sure we were well off last year's pace due to the incredibly sandy descents and blinding dust, and he still wanted to be sub 9.

Flying in toward the finish on the roller coaster approach, passing riders like they were standing still, only to drop our timing chain and have to stop.

Finally, finally reaching the finish, hearing the crowd that lined the street throw out a collective cheer for us (at least that's what it felt like) happy to be done and never have to do that again.

Winning, but somehow a little dissatisfied because we were four minutes slower than last year.

Andy coveting Bart Brentjen's purple Milka hat, wondering if he would trade it (we couldn't think of anything he would want so didn't ask).

Spending time with my family, friends, Andy's colleagues and athletes throughout the whole weekend... Feeling so grateful that the reason we were all together was this incredibly positive event - the promoters have really created a supportive and happy environment for all to participate in one way or another. So many people who love the challenge of riding bikes, amidst beautiful scenery, and no rain! (although I think we could have gone a lot faster with rain. )

All in all, an excellent trip and an excellent race. They treat the athletes - from the first finisher to the last - with such respect and enthusiasm that it would be difficult to speak ill of the race.

But do I want to go back? Ask me again in January. For now, I'm looking forward to some time off the bike. And, in case you're wondering, the effort required to finish (and organize!) this thing was significantly more than a 10k run. :-) Just sayin'!