When I signed up for this race my intent was to measure my gains for 2018. I did the spring version at a time of 2:40:00 and I wanted to see how I stacked up this fall.
Unfortunately my mileage dropped off in September and then tanked in October. Total for the two months before this event was only about 80 miles. Yikes. But, here is my recap.
I awoke to drizzly grey skies with temps in the low 40's. Having packed the night before, with nearly every piece of cycling clothing I own, I only had to load the DUFF and I was off to pick up Matt. We rolled into Fallasburg Park around 8:30 and the lots were already starting to fill. The rain was heavy at times but it was more of just a heavy sprinkle than rain. We picked up our packets and headed back to the burb to get ready. We agreed that it is much better to have plenty of time to warm up and not be stressed before the start of a race.
Once we were geared up it was time for a warm up. I dressed perfect with just tights, a warm under armor and mid weight gloves. The warmup was done and it was to the line. Wave 1 was off and I was realizing that Wave 2 and 3 were mixed heavily. So much so that a wave 3 rider stopped at the start line and created chaos while the wave 2 people rode around. No accidents that I know of, but a nervous way to start.
The roll out was over as we reached the covered bridge, and I was dumped. lol. I knew it would happen so I just rode. With no miles in my legs I knew riding hard would lead to disaster. The first nasty climb was here, and I just couldn't do it. Started to walk. Couldn't get comfortable at all as my heart rate was all over. Around an hour into the race I was finally feeling ok. I was in my endurance pace at a solid 11 mph. lol. At that point I figured I was not going to be anywhere near my Spring result, but I kept on turning.
I was comfortable riding my own race. A few people around, some passing...passing very few. I just ticked off the miles while my brain went to the normal thoughts of "how did we get here again" and "why the hell do we do this"....along with "next year will be better friend".
I reeled in a guy that passed me as I was still feeling pretty good. At 20ish miles I started to cramp. Not normal cramps, but when I stood to pedal my quads were firing super hard and tyring to lock. They were fine when seated and pedaling, just not standing. ugh. More fluids. No help from the wind. I realized I was within 5 miles. Started to get excited.
For some reason I always excel at the end of my races. I have that one more boost that I can use. I used it. Then up the road I thought I spied a riding buddy. I couldn't tell, but I was surely getting closer. I had a new goal, catch him. It gave me a mental boost I needed to plod thru as I was closing in on him. I still couldn't tell if it was him, but I was still trying to get him. Turning off the gravel a guy in front of me went down hard on the wet pavement. I felt obliged to stop even though an officer was there. I got him unclipped and off the road. He was gaining his bearings and I said "there really isn't anymore I can do, there is an officer if you need help...good luck" and off I went. I knew if I stopped that my legs would have me writhing on the side of the road sooner rather than later.
Figuring my chase was over I simply settled back in to my pace. Then i saw that guy again about half way up a long climb. Goal reinstated. I rode as hard as I could and was rewarded by a super fast descent. I was gaining again. Last long climb I could tell he was struggling. At the top of the hill I caught him and as I looked to my left I realized it was my buddy. He realized it was me too, but he was just gassed. I took the next descent hard and hit the next few rollers with all the might I had left before making the last left toward the park. I rolled across the line in 2:45:41. I was only 5:41 slower than my spring race, and I stopped for at least 2 minutes to help the guy that crashed.
Overall, it was a solid ride. I was even able to walk down the stairs the next morning!
Now, time to get some base miles going and bust out Albert for some snow!
