2018 Sea Otter Classic

[Greg Alsterlind]

Another beautiful day at Fort Ord. I wish this is how I left Sunday but it wasn't. Fort Ord is a fast mostly fire road with short climbs course. Nothing to techincal but at these high speeds there is plenty of reason to be careful.  I have not worked only my training thus far this year and this was the result= 20th out of 25. 3 plus minutes slower than last year. I need to remember- Disappointment comes with anything we are passionate about. The result of this race is what I needed to decide what I really want out of this years race season. As I continue to learn this sport I have seen people/team mates much better than me fall off their fitness and come back. My hope is that all of us that did not achieve our goals this week at Seaotter will bounce back soon. This years Seaotter treated me fairly. I have been putting in solid 1 -1 1/2 hour efforts to stay in shape. At the 1 hour mark in this years race I was exactly where I was last year. With the exception of a short stop for a seat mishap and stopping to check on a down rider, I rode the second hour of this race on tired/weak legs. Training and longer rides should be all I need to get back on track? Once again I am encouraged by Dave Benjamin (DB) who picked up 5 min. on last years time and Simon Hewett who continues to challenge kids much older than him and finish stronger and faster.  There is no "best part" of a dissapointing performance but it helps to have people that have been there as well to remind you that it happens to us all. Things worked out for Paul B, Simon H, Cathey C, Carson B and Dave B. I know Mark Ingerwersen and Jim Hewett where hoping for better outcomes but I was proud of the way he both handled their results. Next week its back to the Mountains and I expect all of us to pick up some speed. Thanks Mark I for making the trip home easier. Looking forward to this weeks Shorty and having fun!