Sarah Ginsbach prefers to go long
Exuberant age grouper Sarah Ginsbach is 27, was born in Oregon City, Oregon and lives in Spring Texas. She works as an educator for lululemon athletica, a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company which makes yoga, running and crossfit clothing.
She and her two years older sister Sandrine inherited their father Tom’s love of endurance sport. He wrestled and played soccer in high school, and ran from the time he was a young lad to this day. Tom Ginsbach has done many Hood-to-Coast running road races and does 20-mile runs weekly.
In high school, Sandrine ran track and cross country, played lacrosse and swam, then later picked up cyclocross and road riding. Today Sarah’s elder sister is a snowboard and ski instructor. Sarah started sports a bit more slowly – at Oak Klein High School she focused solely on swimming. While studying applied mathematics and biology at Texas State – San Marcos, she did some club swimming, but found her sporting métier when she got a bicycle her senior year. Since then, she has been catching up to and surpassing her sister in terms of distance, if not in the sheer variety of her sports.
After her graduation in 2009, Sarah started triathlon, counting on her swim background and newfound cycling prowess to overcome her aversion to running. While triathlon’s final leg remains her weakest link, she has managed to post some fine results in XTERRA and endurance cycling.
In 2011, Ginsbach won her 25-29 age group at XTERRA Austin, beating 20-24 and 30-34 winners by 33 and 20 minutes respectively. She qualified for the XTERRA World Championship in Maui, but had an off day, finishing 13th in her age group and 406th overall.
Her most impressive performances have been in cross country cycling. At the 2011 Sun and Ski Sports SS Trails Excruciation, she won 19-29 and finished the tough 100k course in 7:11:40. Her improvement curve is steep — she finished that same 100k race in 6:07:14 this year, just 13:39 behind the overall women’s winner. But her most impressive race might have been her 2nd overall women’s finish at the 24 Hours of Rocky Hill Mountain Bike Race where she covered 110 miles on a rugged course, 20 miles behind the winner.
Slowtwitch: What gave you the most joy while growing up? What gives you the most joy now?
Sarah Ginsbach: Music and food! I could surround myself with music and be happy forever. It impacted my mood dramatically as a youth. It still continues to improve my mood and lift my spirits. I also love being outdoors. Anything outside with a great group of friends is how I love spending my time most. Whether it’s racing, camping, rock climbing, or stand up paddle boarding – if it’s outside, I’m game!
ST: What sports did you do in high school?
Sarah: I learned to swim in high school. That was tricky, but I managed not to drown! I started swim team because my sister wanted another person on the team that didn’t know how to swim. It was great. Two sisters that couldn’t swim on the swim team. We had great company and it brought us together on a different level.
ST: Can you recall some funny things that happened while playing sports growing up?
Sarah: My sister was always very competitive and active in sports. One summer, our mom signed us up for tennis lessons. I had no interest and my sister would get furious trying to play against someone so apathetic to the event.
ST: What sports have you done in college and what was your level of success?
Sarah: I dipped into club swimming in college. It wasn’t very successful. The students were younger than me and had a tremendous swimming background by comparison, but I enjoyed the exercise. I also got my first bike in my last year of college. By first bike I mean my first bike since 3rd grade in 1993. I didn’t do anything more than commute around until I graduated.
ST: Did you watch sports on TV growing up?
Sarah: None. I was constantly busy with piano and school work.
ST: What persons in any field of endeavor did you/do you admire and why?
Sarah: I admire people in endurance sports. To know the human mind is capable of pushing the body to limits that are unthinkable – and for the body to respond to that level! WOW! I admire anyone that is doing the same things I enjoy. I feel there is a mutual understanding how much hard work goes into the sport.
ST: Do you admire any athlete in particular?
Sarah: I absolutely love Shonny Vanlandingham. She’s down to earth, socially delightful, and fast as hell. I also look up to my coach, Nathan Winkelmann. He is unceasingly inspirational and motivational. Nate, who used to race pro, fully supports what I do and knows what I need to do to get where I want to be. I’m really excited to see where this year takes me having him on my side!
ST: What sports prepared you for triathlon, XTERRA, endurance cycling?
Sarah: Things happened to fall into place randomly. I came from a slight swim background, and once I received a bike, there was no turning back. I hated running, but I figured I could walk the run in my first XTERRA. I just wanted to do one! After that, I took up mountain bike racing to improve my cycling split. I found my true passion in mountain biking.
ST: What led you to do your first multisport event? How did you feel about the experience?
Sarah: Technically, my first multisport event was the Austin Muddy Buddy in 2009. A friend of mine from high school had just acquired a bike as well and she had heard a lot about the event. I think we rode off-road twice and then jumped in. I swore I was going to die twice during that race. I ride a medium/large frame and for the race [in which the two-person team members switch off one bike] we used her small. What a scary and exhilarating experience! I instantly wanted to do more. It is odd how the thought of death can scare you during, but not after. Muddy Buddy is a great way to have fun and get into an active lifestyle. It spawned my love for the off-road world.
ST: Tell us about your first triathlon.
Sarah: The 2009 Portland XTERRA was a 1km swim, 25km mountain bike and 5.5 mile trail run. I had a month and a half of training and my only goal was to finish. WOW what a challenge! Relatively flat for XTERRA was mountainous to me. Training in 100-plus temperatures at home in Texas was difficult, but racing in a high of 70 was worse. I felt cold the whole event and walked most of the run. I suffered throughout the entire race, but I did it! It was so challenging. Different terrain, weather, people, etc. My father and sister were there to cheer me on. Our dogs and my sis even ran me into the finish! I was one of the very last to finish, but it was such a huge moment of accomplishment for me. I felt so happy and in such pain. I loved it.
Ginsbach finished in 4:03:54, 158th of 163 finishers and 9th of 12 in women’s 25-29
ST: Who or what led you to try those long distance cycling events and XTERRAS?
Sarah: I can’t really remember what I saw or who I talked to…it just happened. I signed up for the 24 Hours of Rocky Hill in October of 2010 as my first endurance race.
ST: A twice round the clock race was your first!
Sarah: I jumped on it solo as a challenge. I thought “everything will seem easy after that.” And it has, to some degree. It opened my mind to limits I wasn’t sure I could handle. It tested my body, spirit, and mental determination. I came out with a 2nd place female finish because I accidentally fell asleep for a second time during the race. It was a wonderful experience!
Ginsbach covered 11 of the 10-mile laps, 20 miles short of overall winner Allison Wilkerson, and lost an estimated 5 hours during a 10 PM to 4 AM nap
ST: It is highly unusual for someone as young as you to have taken on such long mountain bike races. What inspired you to do them?
Sarah: I think there is a lot of doubt in the human mind. Either you feel confident or you don’t. Most of us don’t. I wanted to see how I would do in these scenarios. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? I burn some calories and have fun! It justifies my eating. I love the challenge of endurance races. It’s a different pain and different pace. In a sprint, it is almost impossible to recover from a mechanical or bad start. In a six-hour race, you have a long time to get to first! I was genetically built for endurance and I’m very appreciative to be so lucky.
ST: What sort of training have you done to take on those challenges?
Sarah: I lack a lot of training. I am notorious for doing everything and not focusing on one thing. And that’s my biggest problem. I find it very difficult to stick to a training plan. In the past, I’ve lived in spin classes, crossfit gyms, and yoga. I get by with a combination of genetics and desire to work out. I am excited to see how drastically I improve this spring when I implement a training plan. Fingers crossed!
ST: There must have been a few moments of doubt and pain.
Sarah: Yes. During the 24 hour race every part of my body ached – back, hands, legs, feet. To make things worse, I didn’t know what chamois butter was!!!! Imagine the pain associated with that mistake. It was terrible. I’ve never made that mistake again. I also doubt myself constantly. This goes back to mentally telling myself to relax, have fun. Push, but make sure you’re enjoying what you’re doing. If you aren’t having fun, you aren’t doing it for the right reasons.
ST: Did you have a ‘Why am I Here?’ moment in the 24 hour race?
Sarah: The only thing that goes through my head in an endurance race is “Where is the leader?” I love picking off the competition. I try to remind myself to stay relaxed and to have fun. It is the very instant I stop worrying about someone else, that I find they are right in front of me and very obtainable.
ST: Have you been inspired by famous mountain climbers/adventurers/ endurance athletes?
Sarah: I’m most inspired by people I know. I suppose that is because I am more aware of their accomplishments. My coach has done Primal Quest, climbed countless mountains, and volunteered at many events. That alone is impressive. When you factor in his fear of heights and busy work schedule, you really start to realize how much more inspiring it is.
ST: How do you combine study and/or work and your training?
Sarah: This is a great question! I spent the last two years in a situation that allowed me to train when I wanted to. I recently ended a relationship, thus bringing me to the new challenge of taking life on full force. This will be a completely different season for me – new training plan and new life style. I’m currently trying to find a career where I can use my education. We’ll see how things go.
ST: What is the dumbest thing you have ever done in racing or training?
Sarah: It’s a toss up between self doubt and lack of knowledge. Who really takes on a 24 hour race without chamois butter? The other is huge. When you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect yourself to win? It’s difficult learning how to be your biggest fan. I’m still working on finding the confidence I need to not let my competition drop me. I think I’ve almost found it.
ST: What is one of the smartest things you have done in racing?
Sarah: Using a CamelBak! Some think it’s less ‘professional’ to use a CamelBak. I love it! I ride a Trek Superfly 100 and that rear shock and bottle cage already fight. To add insult to injury, I can’t ever seem to put a bottle in my jersey pocket after having already taken it out to drink from. I love having the freedom and control of a CamelBak. Plus I can stash my food needs in it. Easy access!
ST: What is your favorite race?
Sarah: My three favorite venues include any race held at Camp Eagle, Reveille Peak Ranch, or Rocky Hill Ranch – all fairly close to my home in Spring, Texas. Every event I’ve done at those locations I’ve loved – mechanicals, failures, successes, and all. They have all left lasting impressions in my heart and mind.
ST: What have been your best racing performances so far?
Sarah: I had a great performance at the TMBRA (Texas Mountain Bike Racing Association) Fall Series Camp Eagle race in 2011. It was hot and I had a year off from cross country events. I get very nervous before races and was on the verge of crying. I always let situations get the best of me. Once the horn sounded, I took off and I never saw my competition after the first turn until 9 minutes after I finished. It hurt and it felt great! And transitioning from 6 hours to a short 1:38:41 for a CAT 2 race wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
I also had another great race in the 2011 Dave Boyd Huntsville Classic. This was my backyard course, but I’d never raced it and I did not have a chance to pre-ride. I had a terrible start. I couldn’t clip in and almost took out half of my field [with unpredictable riding.] I found out later that my cleat was loose. However, once I got clipped in, I was determined to get in front and make up for my fumble. I placed 3rd overall — including pro/open women. I finished the two 9-mile loops in a time of 1:32:15. This is a relatively fast course and I was shooting for a sub 1:30, but I lost some time passing the Cat 2 men in front of me. But given the circumstances, I was happy with my time. I beat the runner-up woman in CAT 2 by 12:35 and I also beat the CAT 1 women’s winning time by 4:59.
ST: What music has gotten stuck in your head during a race? Was it inspiring or irritating?
Sarah: Oh man! Anything and EVERYTHING! Generally, though, it is a hip hop song with a catchy beat or something heavier. I enjoy rock, industrial, and anything with a good beat. The last song I had stuck in my head was “Dance” by Big Sean and Nicki Minaj. That was grinding away in my head for an 85-mile mountain bike race this past weekend. All of my friends knew it, too, so when I finished everyone asked if I was singing the explicit lyrics while racing. I opted not to. That could have brought up some odd looks!
ST: What are some of your long term goals in sport and life?
Sarah: I want to see how far I go with mountain biking. I love XTERRAs, too, but I seem to focus on one or the other. This season I’m focusing purely on mountain bike racing. I’ll do some XTERRAs, but I’m not sure how many. And I really need to focus on finding a stable job that will allow me to continue doing what I love most – racing!
