Well, it's all over now. Came in 30th place out of 40 in the Class C mens race. It was so much fun and I cannot wait for the next one. I decided to go out strong and then hold my position, this did not quite work for me. I started well and was posititoned just behind the front 10 or 11, and had a sizeable lead on the second big group (which included my friend who I wanted to beat), but I could not gain on the lead group, and just seemed stuck in no man's land. Then before I knew it I was going backwards with my buddy coming past me, then battled it out for 30th with a guy.
In retrospect it seems easier to move up than defend a position. Next time I plan on pacing myself a little better at the beginning and then poking up. I felt okay on the first lap, garbage on the second, okay on the third, and great on the last, but by that time I had no one to pass...oh well. Live and learn.