Beyond Where We Should Have Gone...

Sunday 7/20 was the second stage of the Michaux 2008 Endurance Series in the mountains north of Gettysburg, PA. This race has always been the toughest for me in the series, and this year was no different. I started the race about 2 pounds underhydrated which I knew was going to be a problem, but the MX race on Saturday was a makeup from a rain out and I had to attend. Before the race I talked to my friend and the race organizer Jes Stith of Gettysburg Bicycle about the course; when he described it as the best course of all the Curse layouts I knew I was in for a treat. I have been racing Michaux since my first year riding which was back in 1992.... Jes is by far the best race organizer I have ever seen; he and his group do their best to make the course the best, and most challenging that they can. Usually when you do these races you are racing the course, which is almost extinct in MTB racing nowadays. The only bummer was that the turnout seemed light due to the MTB Nationals in Vermont, but there was still a bunch of brave souls ready for the Curse. Now onto the race...
After an OK start I was definitely out of sync on the first few miles of descending. This is one of the toughest descents not to flat on that I know of... rocky, fast, and requires a lot of pedaling between sections of loose, jagged shale. I must have passed 6 or so people on the side in the first 2 miles with flats. Then after settling in a little I hit the ridge trail which is one of my favoites in the world; Twisty, rocky, but still flowing singletrack totally created for MTB enjoyment! About a mile into it I came up on a friend of mine on the side of the trail just as I started to flat the front tire... I had cut a sidewall. Poz was on the side of the trail and I didn't know if he had a flat or what because my iPod was too loud... I didn't hear much. He started to get out a tube and then I realized it was for me! I told him I was fine and he joked about catching back up to the leader... little did I know that was going to be important! Anyway, after racing here for years and ripping sidewalls I was prepared with 2 tubes and a tire boot. After a lengthy tire change I was back on my way. By the time I had made it to the reservoir about 8 miles in I had decided I was on the wrong bike; the 29er wheels were great, but my technical skills were rusty and I was having trouble sitting and pedaling without getting knocked around. I felt like a roadie! Wait a minute, I am a roadie nowadays!
The funny thing about Michaux races is that unless you have ridden here its hard to comprehend just how demanding it is. After about 18 miles of racing I was already starting to cramp in my legs. I knew that it was my hydration, but what could I do about it? It was in the 90's on a beautiful summer day what was I to do, stop? I kept thinking that I could beat it if I just kept drinking and staying on my nutrition plan. Along the way I rode with some friends, and saw some great racing going on in the women's class. Slowly I was in a downward spiral, but I was having fun so I just "hung in there". I also was having an allergic reaction to something in the woods. Every year I have problems at ths race and this year was no different. My arms start itching, then I start coughing and getting asthma. This time I had some benedryl in my pack, but I didn't know how I would feel if I took it so low on water. That was a mistake, but its not like I haven't made them ALL day right? On a steep, long hike a bike, out of water, the emotions started kicking in. You know, those questions like: what the hell am I doing here? Why did I get out of bed at 5am to do this? What were you thinking trying the old 1-2 with the Curse of Dark Hollow? Did you know at home the a/c is on and the couch is waiting and the beer is cold?
On top of that I couldn't eat without liquids...
By the time I made the last water stop I had ridden some of the coolest new trails I had ever seen, but I was too tired to enjoy them. Luckily I GPS'd the whole race so I can find it again. The guys at the stop were great, although when they asked what I needed I looked on the table and saw what I really wanted... a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale! That would have to wait until later so I downed 2 full water bottles at the stop, and then went on to the last 7 miles of singletrack. By this time I felt like Chevy Chase in Vacation, in the desert with his pants on his head saying "I'm dead.. I'm dead.." I started thinking about how long I could lay down on the trail, rest, and still be able to finish. Luckily every time I started cramping there would be a descent. Of course my arms were cramping then so I was definitely in trouble. Then I came upon something that made me laugh... danger signs. If you had seen this course you would have thought it was funny too! This entire loop could have a big danger sign on it! But Jes wasn't kidding! The following downhill was hairy to say the least and very steep and technical. I decided if I tried to get off I would seize up so I just stayed on and took my time riding down. One day I will mount a camera to my bars to get some shots of this terrain.. amazing!
Now I was only about 3 miles away and I felt like I was finally going to make it. I thought about crazy things like the climber Beck Weathers who was left for dead on Everest only to come back on his own power to camp to be rescued. There is something very humbling about being in survival mode, but its also kind of purifying. You feel accomplishment just for being alive and that makes you almost euphoric. I guess that eventually ends if you don't stop or be rescued and you lose consiousness and die? Luckily I didn't find out! Just as my gps said 2 miles to go I came out by the parking lot? There was an arrow pointing AWAY from the finish area! Was this a joke? Had someone changed the course? Just then I think of Leslie Neilsen in Airplane... "Surely you can't be serious? ... I am serious, and don't call me Shirley..." They couldn't run us this close to the finish and send us downhill and away? Luckily I knew what they were up to and after a mile out on the road I turned under the powerlines and back to the trail to the finish. By then I am just thinking of Airplane lines all the way to the line.... "Do you like gladiator movies? .... he never drinks a second cup at home... excuse me, I speak jive... looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue..." That is what is going through my mind at the end of the race... not racing, not where I am finishing, just Airplane! I crossed the finish line and they handed me my Michaux race pilsner glass and I went straight to the keg and filled it. I walked back to the truck, changed, loaded the bike, and headed out to meet Mary in Gettysburg. I didn't even think about where I came in! Later, after some benedryl, food, beer, and food and beer; I got a call from my friend Don who said he picked up my money for me? Evidently I had placed 5th? I won money after that endeavor? It turns out that Poz who had stopped when I flatted finished 4th in front of me, and we must have just survived in about the same places to the finish! All in all it was a great race, and I definitely learned a real lesson about my limits and what it takes to be an endurance athlete. I figure after this experience IM Arizona will be a breeze in November! Only time will tell... for now I keep thinking of Jack Johnson's Sleep Through The Static lyrics... "...Beyond where we should have gone... we went beyond where we should have gone..." I will be on vacation next week so when I am laying in a hammock relaxing I can think back on this race and laugh about how I went beyond where I should have gone... again.

Preserving The Diamonds

Saturday was a makeup race at Blue Diamond MX park in New Castle, Delaware. The goal for me was to maintain my placing in the Masters of MX Series, and not get too far extended for Sunday's Michaux MTB race. Blue Diamond has some scary stuff, but generally its a good track to ride. Temperatures in the 90's and no shade made for a rough day all together. I knew after the 1st practice it was going to be tough because I could not get the entry to a rhythm section down; the new gearing had me a little out of sync. During my first moto I had a good start and went to the 1st turn behind my friend David who is currently leading the 35+B series. I was feeling good, but didn't have the run at the 110 foot table to clear it on the 1st lap and I got gapped. After that we stayed about the same pace until late in the race when I caught a few lappers. I finished 4th which was OK. The 30+C Moto was packed and stacked. I was caught behind a crash in the 2nd turn and lost the front 3 riders, but other than that it was uneventful. I had a back and forth with 2 guys that ended up leaving me back... 6th. Both second motos were about the same, but I never felt comfortable and really need to ride at least 1 practice day before the next race! The big problem was the heat; its impossible to stay hydrated in a parking field with no shade wearing MX gear for 6 hours! The race was a longer day too because of some new classes and I ended up almost bonking before I made a B-line for the Wawa and some food. This is just a foreshadowing for what was to come on Sunday...

Bad Ass Austrians... G'Day Mate!

Here's the 2 KTM's after a bunch of work on the MX bike including a new drivetrain and tires.

Diamonds And Rough

Saturday July 12th was my official return to Triathlon at the Diamond In The Rough Race in Perryville, MD. Its a unique Tri because it has a very technical bike course with a big climb and many fast descents. Its also weighted toward cyclists because the bike leg is 27 miles, and the run is 5 miles. I was definitely worried about how I would feel after a few weeks of training hard and feeling tired. Ever since the Richmond XTERRA its harder and harder to get up in the morning. I was very excited because it was the first race with my new Cervelo P2 TT bike; what a machine! I used a Zipp Disc in the rear with a HED Tri spoke in the front; I was pulling out all the stops looking for a good result. I even broke out the aero helmet! I had to take off the race numbers from the 2005 race in Honolulu; after that race I sold my Tri bike and didn't even get a license until 2008. Now that is all in the past because I like the new ride!
The swim is actually really nice at this race and a big loop in warm water with good visibility. I have been swimming, but its never my strong event so I was suprised to feel so good. It was the first time I ever teamed up with a competitor during a swim too. I didn't know who he was, but he and I exchanged pulls just cyclists in a breakaway. When I exited the water I gave him a wave of thanks going to T1.
That was when the fun began! Armed with one of the fastest bikes in the race and some special gearing for the hills and descents I really pushed the pace as much as I could. I had left in the 2nd swim wave so the first 1/2 of the bike I was constantly passing other racers. I tried to stay smooth and in my aero position and spin as much as I could. Any time my speed dropped below 15mph I got out of the saddle and tried to raise the pace. Luckily for me by the time I hit the very technical descent and climb I was alone. I just wasn't getting tired on the bike which is a great feeling to have after a dismal month! Coming back into the park on the access road I saw a box turtle crossing the street; could that have been my spirit animal from the last month? I definitely shook off the past few weeks on the bike split and was happy entering T2.
My run was much better than I had expected, but I have been working on it since March. I wasn't catching many people, but I wasn't on the ropes either and felt like I could hold my own. I did get passed by 2 racers on the run, but I expected that with a strong bike split. I still have some work to do, but at least I am seeing improvements!
In the end I had a good day and ended up 8th overall and won the 35-39 age group. I posted the fastest bike split and was the only person to break 1:09:00 and averaged 23.6 which left me happy. I really do think my bike and the position had a lot to do with it! The run was my best average to date I think at a 6:53 pace. I hope to improve on that, but I am definitely happy! Next up is the Masters of MX race at Blue Diamond Park on Saturday 7/19, followed by the Monsters of Michaux Series' Curse of Dark Hollow 7/20. Hopefully I will survive the double and have some interesting stories. I will post some pics asap; thanks for reading!

Distractions and Temptations

The 4th of July holiday weekend was tough for me.... extra time off work with OK weather during a rest week could lead to some tough decisions.... what to do with the extra time? Besides the fact that I ate and drank way too much for someone training for IM Arizona, I have also been feeling flat for a while now. What did I do? Go for long rides and Overtrain an already stressed body? No... I decided to trade in 2 motorcycles and get a new bike! With gas prices over $4 a gallon, and my future employment uncertain I will definitely be riding a lot more. I ended up with the amazing machine in the picture.... a 2008 KTM 990 Superduke. Talk about a distraction!!! I definitely want to be out riding it all the time... I just hope I can control that urge and get in the miles on the bike. At least my commute will be much more pleasant now.
This time of year is tough on Me for some reason. I guess its after the first phase of racing, and the transition to the big goals of the year are here. Its funny, but in April I would do anything to just ride in short sleeves, but in July I act like if there are clouds looming I will melt at the first drop of rain. The motivation is always tough too because the progress has slowed, and the big goals still seem far enough away. Hopefully the Diamond In the Rough Tri this weekend will be some motivation to keep pushing. I will keep you posted... until then I will be riding 2 wheels.

The Deflating Tomato Hawk

The next round of the Masters of MX Series was on Saturday June 21st, and I was looking for some good results. After my disappointing race at XTERRA I was happy to have my rest week with some good MX at one of my favorite tracks. I left the house at 5:30am under sunny skies with a bike that needed some work. I was awaiting some new Michelin tires and a drivetrain, but they didn't make it Friday so I was going to race one more time on some sketchy tires. This was the first race under real summer skies so I was excited and Tomahawk used to be my home track when I trained! 

The practice in the morning was muddy, but the track dried out quickly and was in great shape with some good ruts and a great flow. I was feeling confident even though I hadn't been on the bike since the last round of the series. After 2nd practice I had the 2 step ups down and was looking for a good moto. The first race was the 35+B event and I had a great gate pick. I was almost all the way right and the first turn is a 100 degree right which is off camber. When the gate dropped the Katoom 450 did its usual and I got the holeshot! There must have been a tangle behind me because I got over the first set of jumps and over the 1st big table before I even heard anyone else! I have never led a lap before, but I finally thought things were going right! After lap 1 I was feeling good, but the nerves of being out front were setting in; over the 2 step ups I was smooth, but I lost the rear end on a sharp, dry turn. After getting back straight I could hear someone behind, but no pass was coming? I just kept trying to stay smooth, but now every turn seemed sketchy... the rear tire just wasn't hooking up. After lap 4 I had decided to take each turn from the inside all the way out and be smooth on the throttle and it seemed to work. On the last lap after holding off some racers I finally got passed in a corner. Then the next corner brought more trouble... what was going on? I finished the moto 2nd after a tip over from a competitor and rode back to the truck. I had about 5 minutes to drink something and refuel and lube.... then I saw the problem! A rear flat tire! The course was loamy, but I can't believe I didn't catch on sooner. I wasn't having trouble cornering... the rear tire was shot. After a frantic few minutes of pumping up the slow leaking tire I realized I missed the start of my 2nd class ... the 30+C race... the series class I was leading. It turned out that there  had been a cancelled moto? Luckily the Masters MX Series is run by some great folks, and they decided the cancellation caused too many guys to miss their race so they credited us with some finish points. 

    During intermission I frantically searched the pits for someone to buy a tube from. After securing a tube I actually was approached by one of my competitors in the B class that offered to help me change the tire! How's that for a good community? Changing a MX tire is very tough; usually I do it at home with a stand and an hour... out in a field with minimal tools its tough! With the help of my friends I got the tube changed, but it had a slow leak. With 2 motos left I decided to run higher than usual pressure so I could at least finish the races. Luckily I had another 2 holeshots, but the rear of the bike was all over so I ended up 4th in one and 5th in the other. I was still happy and the day was just what I needed. 

     Racing so many different types of events is fun for me, and keeps things interesting; but eventually it catches up with you. I haven't had the preparation I have needed for MX and that was clear in my results. By the next round I hope to have new tires, gearing, and some track time. I definitely learned something about preparation, and also about the MX community. After every event I try to get something positive to hold on to for the future; this race's positives were good starts, and great people. I hope that everyone can run into people who lend them a hand when they need it sometime during their racing season. It really does make all the difference! Next up is the Diamond in the Rough Triathlon on July 12th and the premiere of the Cervelo P2 Carbon TT bike... hopefully I will have some great news to report!