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Last weekend I was in one of our local XC races. Most participants in these races go out for a bit of a workout but mostly for the social aspects of the event. There are a few guys (&gals) like myself that really like to give'er though and bust a lung.
Anyway, I got out to the lead and was first on the singletrack trail with 2 guys right on my tail pushing hard as well. Then there were a couple ladies walking on the trail in front of us going the same direction (backs toward us). So I was about 30-40m and I yelled ("Coming up! Runners!"). No reaction. Then yelled again. No reaction. And then right behind them yelled "passing". Should have yelled "passing on the left" but without slowing down a bit I went off the trail to the left, and of course the lady on the left jumped left too without looking behind and I ran right into her. I stayed on my feet and just kept running & yelled "sorry its a race". Guy behind kind of stopped, & said he picked her up but he was right behind me again in a few seconds. The other walker was yelling obscenities at me and everyone else. I saw them on the way back and they carried on their walk so don't think they were injured. Tried to find them after on my cool down to apologize, but couldn't find them.
I think they have a right to be upset, but I kind of feel I did what I could and it was an accident. Accidents happen. Or should I have been more careful? Essentially stop racing until I was around them. Its hard when you have your race psyche on. What would you have done?
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