Race Report—CCCX #2
Sport 45–54
8th place
19 in field
21 miles
1,600+ feet of climbing
1:36:36
I made some changes to my off-season training and don't feel as slow as the beginning of the previous two seasons. I spent 3 weeks off the bike prior to Thanksgiving to recover from ear surgery, giving my legs some much needed rest. I'm finally below 170 lbs. on a consistent basis and my body fat has dropped a couple percent as well, hovering around 10 percent. Once I got back on the bike, I was able to build a good base, more power and greater endurance.
This race was a last minute decision as economic realities may not allow much racing this year. But, my sister and her husband were visiting from Pittsburgh, PA, and had never seen me race. So, I suggested that they arrive later with my wife, watch the race, then go to Monterey and Carmel afterwards.
I was with the lead group for almost a lap, but fell back with Paul Ellison, who finished in 5th place. He was on my wheel for another lap, but when he passed me, I was unable to keep his wheel. After two laps plus the start loop, I looked down at my watch, and it indicated 53 minutes. Where in the **** were the leaders? Is it just me, or did my group gain three more skinny Russ Carmick's this year? I knew I had a lot of work to do when I saw the leaders passing me (beginning their 5th lap, ending my 4th) going the other direction where the course parallels itself. From there, I still had the two swoopy single track sections, lap line and small climb afterwards to get to that section.
I overtook a few younger riders and managed to hold my position after Paul passed me. At the finish, I felt like I had given it my all, and had nothing left unlike prior races. While I've certainly learned the value of recovery, I don't think more rest would have made me 9 minutes faster.