Originally Posted by Hammertoe

... I marked him and slowly gained ground. He was standing quite a bit. I tend to stay in the saddle except for short periods to stretch the muscles. I tried to be smart about my efforts, increasing power when I thought he would be easing up. On ‘flatter’ sections I would pick up the power a notch. I rode the switch backs in the middle then cut the corner, which seems to slightly increase your speed. It was a slow catch, but I got him. He noticed I was in the same wave (rider number) and we rode side by side for a bit. He then took my wheel. I kept a steady pace but he matched me. I increased the pace on a steeper section and got about 20 feet, but when I eased, he took my wheel again. As soon as he did, I stood and pushed again. He fell back again. I did not want to look behind me because of the disappointment I would have felt if he was still there. On the next switchback, I looked. I only had about 50 feet. I let out an explicative...

I then buried myself in the pain cave. I tried to increase my power but the engine room was not answering the call. At mile 5 there was an ambulance on the side of the road, I asked for oxygen. They said they were out...

As the finish banner approached, I put in a kick for a minute. My kids were screaming; GO, DADDY, GO!!! Which helped quite a bit, I mean, I can't disappoint the kids. Oxygen debt ensued...I barely stayed upright as I crossed the finish. I did it, finished first in my wave by 7.5 seconds...