Heading into this weekend I started to get a little big
headed in my ability to ride the bike fast. I had a few really good ride in on
the new bike, and had to rethink how long MTB rides would take to complete. I started to think that I had a chance to, finial,
win my first MTB race. Instead I had one
of my worst races to date.
I spent the day Saturday cleaning the apartment and getting
things ready for racing on Sunday. Got to bed kind of late at 2230 and had
troubles getting to sleep. After a short 5.5 hrs of light sleeping it was time
to get up, eat, and hit the road. I knew I had a long cold drive down to Hot
Springs. I did not know the conditions of the roads, so I gave myself 4.5 hr to
complete the 3.75 hr drive. During the drive I watched as the temperature
dropped from 23F down to 19F. Man, I
might just pull the plug on this one.
 |
| 0448 and 21F |
Finally, after only 4 hr, I arrived at Cedar Glades park and
started getting ready to race. Registration was fast and well ran, and with my
SWAG and plate in had I started to prep the bike, and myself, for a very cold
30F start. I set out on the last 2 miles of trail to get in a warm up, and
scope out the trail. I was afraid that the course would be a frozen slop-fess
but was surprised to see it nice and dry! I was even shocked at how much grip
the trails had. I felt good and bike
felt good. Maybe today really is going to
be my day!
The starting official called the Cat 2 19-29 starting list
and did not call my name. After taking down my info, he stepped back, gave the
15 sec count down and blew the starting
horn.
Crap, cant clip in!!! Between
the shoe covers and the new pedals, I was having a very hard time clipping in. Once I was finally clipped in I started to
move up the field trying to get in position to hit the single track 2nd.
Well I
was not the only one with that ideal, and not really wanting push it too hard at the start, yielded to some guys. I hit the single track 4th, right behind a guy
that seemed to be having trouble keeping a line. (Found out later on that he
was use to a fat bike, and was riding a loner bike). This proved to hurt me
quit-a-bit during the first 2 miles of the race. There were several times that
he would lose traction, taking both of us off the bike.
We quickly left the dry starting loop and headed into some
very wet climbs. At this point (less than 5 min into the race) my legs decided
they did not want to go fast. I was quickly caught by the guy behind me (a 15
year old form LA), and I told him to let me know when he wanted around. As soon
as I lost sight of Fat Bike Guy, the kid asked to go around. The rest of the
first lap was a big blur to me. What I do remember is the muddy double track
climbs, lots of pain, and fighting my bike for the first Hr.
1 hr to travel 1 lap is not good news. Not on the same course
as the Spa City 6 hr. And defiantly not good when I felt like I was riding at
my max. Disappointed, and tired, I decided to slow it down and just ride at my
endurance pace. Wow, what a difference SLOWING DOWN can make. I started to feel
good, I was no longer fighting the bike, and I started to pass people. After
another 55 min of racing I crossed the finish line in 5th.
 | |
| The double track really was a muddy! |
I was extremely tired, cold and upset. What had happened? How did I put in a faster lap going slower? 55 min
for an endurance pace laps is right on the money! But why was I so slow on the
first lap? What just happened?
I had plenty of time to think about it on the way home, and
I have discussed it with a few people today. One thing I learned from this weekend is that the
old Auto X saying "Slow is smooth, Smooth is fast" also applies (at least
for me) to XC MTB racing. I also realized that at one point of time (Before I discovered Endurance Racing)
I had the legs, lungs, and desire to be a fast XC racer (for a Cat 2 in
Mississippi that is). But now I just don't enjoy that type of pain as much, I would
much rather enjoy the slow burn of a 5 hr ride.
Well my thoughts are all scrambled up now, so its time for
me to sign off. One thing is for sure, I'm still training to be the best
ENDURANCE MTB racer I can be, and I'm extremely excited for my first race next
year!
As always I just need to Ride More, Ride Harder, and Get Faster.
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