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Bummer. Sorry if I gave you bad advice (to try it), it wasn't intentional. Most woods racers around here are kinda sado masochists, as you are finding out. If they complain, it's because stuff is too easy, and believe it or not, those sprint enduros are on the forgiving end of the scale, especially in terms of endurance required. At least you know what to expect for next time, I guess? (And at least there aren't knobby marks across your back?)
And I should add...lots of New England woods riding is just too grueling for me, and a lot of others, too. It's supposed to kick the crap out of you (LOL). That's why I prefer moto, even southwick! The last JDAY GP I did tortured me but I knew what I was in for ahead of time and I'm getting old, so there was no surprise to it.
Anyway, it'll be interesting if and when you give it another shot; some day you might say it was easier than expected, now that you know a little bit about what's "in there"
Next step: spectate a GP. Watch and learn how the fast guys handle stuff like the extreme section or harder sections of the single track. Pretty much just copy what this guy does http://jdayoffroad.com/2017/2016-j-d...ohnny-girroir/
(He's from southwick, and sadly his dad hasn't seen any of his recent success as he passed away just after mountain biking with a some of my friends a few years ago. Dad was a good woods racer too, owned an excavation company, and groomed the track at southwick. Hence the "dozer memorial GP" that JDAY runs every year.)
Anyway, now that you've experienced first hand what it's like, watching those top dudes ride woods is every bit as amazing as watching pros ride supercross, IMO. I'm actually heading up to spectate the Hard Knox hare scramble in a little while.
Hopefully this weekend doesn't discourage you, but makes you stronger. Congratulations and Good on ya for having the desire and balls to jump in and try it!
PS: my daughter just returned from almost three years in Australia, now I'm hearing "Uni" this and "Ya Reckon?" that, all over the place (LOL)