SOC 2012

[Carl Sanders]

3:17:24 -- 12th position across the line. Two short of the my objective.

First blood when taken down by a volunteer accidently catching my bars at the aid station while attempting a bottle hand-up at mile 10!

Second blood on the second lap, mile 29, when my front wheel washed out down a loose rutted section. Determined to finish the course this year, I banged the seat into line, re-set the chain and jumped back into the game.

Not an entirely pleasant experience out there for me; once again went out too hard at the start, trying to stay with the lead riders in my age group; breathing felt more relaxed and in control using deep exhalations to purge the CO2 and bring in fresh O2, but heart rate was still consistently pounding out Zone 5 plus numbers, well beyond my MSS, while chasing down and ultimately loosing ground to the lead guys.

Leaving the aid station at mile 10, somewhat blown from the over anxious start effort and with the wind knocked out of me and blood dribbling down my right leg from the well-intentioned, but very apologetic Volunteer, I was once again forced to back off or pass out.  

With the heat, breeze and dry conditions, I just couldn't seem to quench the thirst. Started out the gate at 2 PM with two bottles, got a re-fill on one during the first lap and two more on the second round. I just couldn't seem to stay hydrated.

Seemed to have found my edge on this one. Truly impressed by the amazingly fast times put down by the riders ahead of me in my class and rather disappointed in my own rather poor performance, I'll confess to giving time afterward to some serious soul-searching about just what I'm trying to achieve out there.

Next up: Boggs 8 hour!