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04-26-08, 04:06 PM
The Good:
I raced. I was asked to go to the front and help pull the break away back in. I went to the front did a monster pull (which is relative, I know) and even bridged a gap to another break that was going. Then I was toast. I was commended by the team later. Made me feel good.
The Bad:
I hurt beyond any hurt I've experienced this year. I know speeds don't mean much to most. Mainly, because of the course layout, wind, etc. But to me it was exceptional. I looked down and our average was a bit over 25mph and that was close to mile 50 of 70 in the race. The surges were ungodly. Bridging gaps of dropped riders was a nightmare. Then the pain started to get worse. I was on my third and final bottle of fluid, but it clearly wasn't enough for me. I expended more energy than I ever have this year. I began to cramp hard 10 miles from the finish and watched the field go bye-bye.
Now The UGLY:
My frame (SL-1) is cracked at the bottom bracket. The course was rough and I first started hearing a little rattle and immediately thought of my brother botto. Did I tighten my skewer enough. I remember doing it. Then when I stood to climb ... Pop Pop Pop. WTF is that? It got to me mentally. It grated on me - which is horrible when you already redlining. I got back to the car and the entire circumference of the left side of the BB is cracked.
Side notes:
Our team placed in the money. Little money. I got a free lunch. :D
I learned a lot. My team was able to see what I could do - very little I could do. I could see what I could do too. Where I need to improve and where I'm good. Overall I'm very happy.
I raced. I was asked to go to the front and help pull the break away back in. I went to the front did a monster pull (which is relative, I know) and even bridged a gap to another break that was going. Then I was toast. I was commended by the team later. Made me feel good.
The Bad:
I hurt beyond any hurt I've experienced this year. I know speeds don't mean much to most. Mainly, because of the course layout, wind, etc. But to me it was exceptional. I looked down and our average was a bit over 25mph and that was close to mile 50 of 70 in the race. The surges were ungodly. Bridging gaps of dropped riders was a nightmare. Then the pain started to get worse. I was on my third and final bottle of fluid, but it clearly wasn't enough for me. I expended more energy than I ever have this year. I began to cramp hard 10 miles from the finish and watched the field go bye-bye.
Now The UGLY:
My frame (SL-1) is cracked at the bottom bracket. The course was rough and I first started hearing a little rattle and immediately thought of my brother botto. Did I tighten my skewer enough. I remember doing it. Then when I stood to climb ... Pop Pop Pop. WTF is that? It got to me mentally. It grated on me - which is horrible when you already redlining. I got back to the car and the entire circumference of the left side of the BB is cracked.
Side notes:
Our team placed in the money. Little money. I got a free lunch. :D
I learned a lot. My team was able to see what I could do - very little I could do. I could see what I could do too. Where I need to improve and where I'm good. Overall I'm very happy.