I finally had a good (for me) race. Did the 4/5 and the 3/4 today. In the 4/5 I didn't feel like I was doing a whole lot of extra work and had no problem problem staying with the group. Finished 23rd of 35. It was a fun race. The 3/4, 2 hours later and 15 degrees hotter/full on sun, I got dropped ~12 minutes in. Pulled ~30 minutes in. But I'm not upset about it because I did well in the 4/5.
I needed that 4/5 race. I actually felt like a bike racer, finally.
4/5 - Bike Ride Profile | Race the Bend - Cat 4/5...23rd out of 35 near South Bend | Times and Records | Strava
3/4 - Bike Ride Profile | Race the Bend - Cat 3/4 near South Bend | Times and Records | Strava
23rd may not seem like a great result, but considering how my season has been (last 2, actually) 23rd is awesome. I spent most of the time in the back (this race it wasnt an issue, being a 4/5 race it surprisingly smooth in the corners..the 3/4 was a lot harder/more surges in the corners)...and could have moved up no problem in a few spots..but all things considered it is exactly what I needed finishing like I did.