Well, I'm truly JUST getting back to riding

Picked up a near-new Jamis Dragon Comp yesterday and it's in the shop getting a final freebie tune from the last owner. I should have it Fri/Sat. Will probably ride it about 3-4 times before I do the Hop Brook race on the 13th, LOL!
I'm 43y/o, but in better shape than when I rode in my 20's. My cardio is pretty good and I love lung-busting workouts (they just haven't been on a bike recently), so I think I'll enjoy racing. I used to ride some fairly gnarly technical stuff yrs back, so I don't think there'll be much on an XC course that will be over my head.
But I was thinking the same about moving up... If nothing else, getting more seat time for my $. I think the first-timer class will define where I am, though. Either solidly ready to move to CAT3 or not in as good a shape as I thought, LOL!