COOL 2011 Wake-Up Call

[Carl Sanders]

It seemed that I got up on the wrong side of the bed. The daylight savings time change the night before, meant one hour less sleep. Despite not having ridden or done much the day before, I slogged through breakfast, not feeling entirely rested. Thankfully, Shiloh drove in the dark, while I tried to snooze, waiting for light and a clear mind.

As is often the case, I dreaded the start. Lining up in the second row, I searched for inspiration, attempting to simultaneously stay relaxed and pumped for the gun. Still, I felt only half there, groggy from lack of rest. Not good. Apparently more focused forward than I, Shiloh and Paul stood ready nearby. Never soon enough, the game was on.

To stay with the top ten was my objective.  Racers vied for position through the first bottleneck. I took the inside line, moving forward a few spots. The mud and deep puddles immediately swallowed a few riders. Over the first climb, I appeared to be in the 8th or 9th slot. So far so good.

The conditions were ideal; the rain held off, the skies overcast, the traction sweet and the mud deep.

Crossing Knickerbocker Creek, the calf-deep water did wonders cleaning the muddy drivetrain. Pedaling smooth and strong on each of the punchy climbs, I seemed to hold my position around the first lap, not knowing how much of a gap the lead riders had made.

Finally awake and finding my rhythm on the second and third laps, I moved forward few more positions. For most of third lap, I rode alone, feeling reasonably fast, but still not fully engaged.

Glad to have rolled through the finish with no mechanicals or crashes, I ended up third in my age class and 6th overall.  No complaints here. I just didn't have the kick this time to chase down those last two guys. Next time. 

Either-way, a good wake-up call to suffering and intensity at the start of the race season.