Today (Tuesday), marked the start of the bike competitions. The first event was a "hill climb" - 5K (3.1 miles), with about 1000 feet of climbing. I was entered in the "Division II - Experienced" class (the other two were Division I - Expert/Extreme, and Division III - Recreational).
The race was run like a time trial, with riders going off at 30 second intervals.
The first half mile or so was pretty flat, but then it kicked up into a moderate hill. It then flattened out a bit, before kicking up again for a fairly long and steep (10%?) hill. After one more short section that was mostly flat, it kicked up again for the final climb to the finish. On the long second hill, I gave it a bit too much gas because it looked like I was gaining ground on several riders ahead of me...that was a mistake because I went too far into the red zone. From there to the finish, I was just holding on for dear life and trying not to give up too much time (and hoping I wouldn't hurl up a lung!). By the finish line, I was completely spent.
Tactically, I probably could have done a little better if I hadn't gone too hard and "blown up" on the second climb. I also got passed near the end of the climb by the guy who started 30 seconds behind me, and I didn't pass anyone else. Based on all that, I didn't have very high hopes for my performance (though I knew I'd given it everything I had). I'd also forgotten to reset my watch or computer, so I had no idea as to my time.
As it turned out, the competition was very close - when the results were posted, there were only 22 seconds separating 3rd place from 6th place (there were 11 competitors in my age group/division).
Fortunately, yours truly was on the short end of the time gaps, and I got to hear my name called for the Bronze Medal!
Three medalists, plus ribbons for 4th-6th, celebrating on the podium.
The guy who passed me came in first, and the guy who started 30 seconds ahead of me came in second place. Thankfully, I wasn't entered in Division I (Expert) - in that division my time would not have been good enough for 6th place!
So, overall....Life is Good!
Tomorrow is the 40K (25 mile) time trial. Hopefully, I can move up a place (or two!).