Howell Mountain Challenge 2011

[Carl Sanders]

Out to sharpen the edge, prime the engine for next week's Tahoe Sierra 100.

 

Thought I would try something a little different; I'd go out hard and fast on the assumption that so much of the finish is determined by start order out of the gate at these 'short' XC races. All Cat I 19 -34 (group #3) and 35- 44 (group #4) racers would go off in the second wave, two minutes behind the Pros.

 

The intense interval work on the steepest part of Oak Manor Drive paid off. At the gun, I motored up the first climb and slotted in to the top five riders going thru the first single track bottle neck. I'd see if I could leave the masses behind. Brue (group #3)  lead us past the airport and then disappeared into the woods. I stayed on Riley's (another group #3 rider) wheel, letting him set the pace, confident there were no group #4 riders in front of us. I'd race to the competition, not wanting to blow myself up, leaving reserves for the much longer effort just around the corner.

 

This strategy worked well enough for the first two laps, but I was going out harder than I could sustain and was starting to falter; legs cramping up, heart rate dropping and losing momentum.  As I stopped for a fresh water bottle, Shiloh (Group #3) overtook Riley and I at the start of the third lap. Still, I was certain there were no #4 riders out in front, but my lead was diminishing fast as I paid the price for the early hard effort. I had no idea how close another #3 rider might be behind me. I just had to keep going.

 

Holding back the cramps with fluids, hammer gel and endurolytes, I pushed on as my pace slowed.  This was not going to be kick-butt finish. 

 

With a somewhat lack-luster lap around the running track to the finish line, I came in at 2:28:48, first in my age group, and dropping nearly six minutes off last year's time. Satisfied.

 

Polished and ready to go, its time to try this blade out on the 'long' course next week.