First and foremost, this race was an A+ in every column. Mike and the Darkhorse crew has once again shown how to put on a race. The new parking, start, finish and party area was perfect. Big thanks to all the support people out on the course. That second to last water stop kept me going strong. It looked like the first aid squad donation bucket was filling up nicely too.
My Race:
Clearly the venue caused me to have my best race of the year. Norm and I had a bit of pact to start out easy and try to reel in as many as possible. It sounded good in principal but he on the SS and mee with gears... As much as I tried to not go on the start I simply couldn't let everyone in front of me. I was clearly out the back, not even close to the pack. Just guessing, probably 35th into the single track. I treated the first 20 minutes as a warmup; I put in 2 hard efforts and then got the HR down in between. My back has been bothering me for some time and it was a bit today. During the warmup I felt it a bit but pressed thru it. I managed to nail back about 5 people pretty soon. The first 10 miles I just kept a good pace watching my HR and backing down when I was above 175. I never passed anyone with a burst, I simply waited and took good lines and tried to make it easy on myself. I was rolling a 13.8 mph avg for the first 10 miles. I thought that a bit too high for me so focused on keeping a an even pace. The field seemed to thinning out quite a bit (I was passing more and more people). At about mile 15 I ran up on some pretty fast guys. I kept my method. Even pace, ride their wheel for while and eventually most people just said uncle and wanted a pass. The trails were great, the course was perfect. I came thru the finish area and Rob told me I was about 5 minutes back. Pretty damn good. I felt great. Stopped and dug into my cooler for some cold bottles. I was keen to eat and drink regulary. At about mile 31 I started to feel a bit of a cramp in my right ham string, in the open field on the opposite side of the dual access water station. Dropped into a harder gear and pushed it past a couple more people. At mile 32 I started my count down. Still felt good but the sharp hills were starting to burn. I had about 1/4 bottle left and was worried the cramps would try to get in there. It seemed like I had a good gap on the last guy I passed. When I came up on the water station with several young ladies I thought it good to stop and fill up. Took a couple sips and just pinned it the rest of the way. The sound of that vuzuwhatever horn was the best sound I ever heard. I have to say on that last stretch of roots I was talking out loud, "when is this going to stop?" It soon did. Dropped out of the woods, hit the pavement and I was done. For some reason I thought I had to go up the hill back to the parking area, someone was like, "uhh dude your done!" All in all an awesome day. The Longtrail never tasted better. 6th Pro/Elite.
My Race:
Clearly the venue caused me to have my best race of the year. Norm and I had a bit of pact to start out easy and try to reel in as many as possible. It sounded good in principal but he on the SS and mee with gears... As much as I tried to not go on the start I simply couldn't let everyone in front of me. I was clearly out the back, not even close to the pack. Just guessing, probably 35th into the single track. I treated the first 20 minutes as a warmup; I put in 2 hard efforts and then got the HR down in between. My back has been bothering me for some time and it was a bit today. During the warmup I felt it a bit but pressed thru it. I managed to nail back about 5 people pretty soon. The first 10 miles I just kept a good pace watching my HR and backing down when I was above 175. I never passed anyone with a burst, I simply waited and took good lines and tried to make it easy on myself. I was rolling a 13.8 mph avg for the first 10 miles. I thought that a bit too high for me so focused on keeping a an even pace. The field seemed to thinning out quite a bit (I was passing more and more people). At about mile 15 I ran up on some pretty fast guys. I kept my method. Even pace, ride their wheel for while and eventually most people just said uncle and wanted a pass. The trails were great, the course was perfect. I came thru the finish area and Rob told me I was about 5 minutes back. Pretty damn good. I felt great. Stopped and dug into my cooler for some cold bottles. I was keen to eat and drink regulary. At about mile 31 I started to feel a bit of a cramp in my right ham string, in the open field on the opposite side of the dual access water station. Dropped into a harder gear and pushed it past a couple more people. At mile 32 I started my count down. Still felt good but the sharp hills were starting to burn. I had about 1/4 bottle left and was worried the cramps would try to get in there. It seemed like I had a good gap on the last guy I passed. When I came up on the water station with several young ladies I thought it good to stop and fill up. Took a couple sips and just pinned it the rest of the way. The sound of that vuzuwhatever horn was the best sound I ever heard. I have to say on that last stretch of roots I was talking out loud, "when is this going to stop?" It soon did. Dropped out of the woods, hit the pavement and I was done. For some reason I thought I had to go up the hill back to the parking area, someone was like, "uhh dude your done!" All in all an awesome day. The Longtrail never tasted better. 6th Pro/Elite.
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