cycling rocks

This guy was Off the Back in the CAT 1/2/3 race. That’s pretty much what happened to me in the CAT 5 race earlier that day. I was hoping to pull most of the way and did for four laps. It’s much easier for me to keep pace up front rather than battle the incessant accordian effect in mid-field or in the back. Alas, I got cooked and the lead group left without me on the last two laps.

I was far from last; but the fifteen or so riders in the front break placed. I didn’t. I was a good minute behind them.

No stats today since my Garmin was out of juice. If was to estimate our average speed, I’d say it was definitely 24 mph. We were haulin’.

Woke up today and my RHR was 48; lower than it’s been in months. Still, I’m sluggish and congested and think I’m overtrained. I race anyways. In the wind. By myself. Spit out the back on the second lap, I struggled to keep up. I passed a couple folks asking them for help to battle the wind. These guys were toast and would not work. Well, I’m going then. As fast as I can in fact. I made to the finish without them. I did not want to quit. Not now.

Dabbo and Fishmel finished with the pack a quarter mile ahead of me. I think Fishmel might have gotten a Top Ten. Way! To! Go! This was Dabbo’s second race out here and he’s doin’ great.

I left my Garmin at home. I think I left my legs there too.

Stats (approx): 12 miles; 32 min or so?

Very cool. Started the weekend with a nice long slow day on Saturday of forty miles. Great weather. Good legs. This morning, I did my pre-race ritual of oatmeal in front of the tube watching TDF videos and loading up the car with all my stuff.

It was less windy this week in Estacada and I was able to knock almost two and a half minutes from last weeks time. The combination of less wind and working harder netted me another 2nd place! I’m really happy. Proud even. The leader was nearly five minutes ahead of me. Wow. The nearest guy behind me was a close minute behind.

This will most likely mark the decline of my standings in racing this year. Very fun while it lasted. My guess is that I’ll be 12th in state by Tuesday, falling with each subsequent week. I will try to keep up with the guys, but it’s hard and I think I’ve peaked for the season. I’ll look forward to more group rides, Reach the Beach, STP, and the Highline Hammer. Whew!!!

Thanks, Mike and Jasmine and Jordan for making the trip out to watch me finish. Woot!

Stats: 20 mile out and back course; Winds 3.8; HR 173 max 168 ave; Speed 33.8 max 20.8 ave; Elevation gain 1,500 ft.

Linky to Photographer’s Site

I wasn’t going to race tonight. I asked myself, “Why?” and it occurred to me that I didn’t want to crash again. But I figured, “Enough. The only way to conquer your fear is to greet it head on.” Hello. It’s much like when I first rock climbed, I thought I was afraid of heights; but I was actually afraid of falling. So I tried to climb the biggest rock wall at the gym, felt what it’s like to fall; then proceeded to keep climbing. It took me a couple times with my heart racing, lots of sweat, lots of encouragement from my friends and I made to the top.

I raced tonight keeping a watchful eye on fear; I rode conservatively. For awhile. Then things got fast. As it was, when it came to do the job, the harder I pushed the slower I got as if I someone was intentionally feathering my brakes whenever I tried to go. That’s what it feels like when one’s conditioning and fitness is not up to par. I know this isn’t supposed to be easy, but come on. Tonight’s field was strong; lots of fast riders, really fast guys coming in and I anticipate it getting worse in the next few weeks.

Fishmel had to agree. He had legs to try to bridge to a breakaway rider around the final turns, but couldn’t hold on. The pack ate him alive. I didn’t fare even that well, holding on for dear life at the back of the pack. Then they spit me out like a rocket. I chased solo at 25 mph on that back straightaway, caught up and passed a couple guys on the final. I wanted so bad for another top ten, but watched that dissolve in slow motion in front of my eyes.

So I will train knowingly. I will race knowingly. And not be afraid to fall.

Stats: 13.57 Miles, Max 32.7 mph, Ave 23.1 mpg, Max 189 bpm, Ave 167 bpm