I did the Bob Hill Memorial Mt Evans race yesterday, and thought I would share my experience. First off, I had three goals going in: finish, not come in last (CAT 4 35+), and to not die. These are modest goals, but mission accomplished. I was under the weather on Thursday and Friday, and spent the last week in San Diego - sea level, so I considered not going, but I thought I would turn back if I felt really ill during the ride.

I was in the front group tucked in about 4 or 5th for the first 7 miles, then my stomach started feeling weird. I slowly moved back in the group and eventually was strung out at the back, and then on my own. I looked back and there was a small group, 10 or so, and bunch of guys on their own as well struggling up. Just after Echo Lake I started feeling better, not sure why, but I was able to establish a rhythm. I sat on some guys wheel for about a mile then marked some guys up the road and just focused on catching one person at a time. After Rogers peak, I seriously almost quit like ten times because it seemed like every time I turned a corner and thought I was getting close to the finish (forgot my computer) I would see little tiny specks, like ants, riding up the hill way off in the distance. I remember thinking right after starting back uphill at Summit Lake (I think) I'm selling my bike on Ebay tomorrow, maybe take up golf, or focus on the house. Anyways, about 2 miles from the finish I saw a heard of mountain goats, pretty darn cool. I finished, and when I got off my bike my whole back end was stiff as a board, I didn't cramp up like others did, but I was in pain for sure.

I suffered, mightily, but it was a great experience and I am definitely doing this race again.