First Race = Reality Check

Where do I begin. There are always numerous things I can take away from a bad race, the question is do I dwell on the bad or focus on the good. Wait, was there anything good? I did finish, and the thought of quitting did cross my mind a few times. It was a great workout. I got some good "on the trial" mechanical experience. I handled the weather really well and I descended fairly well. But, all I can think about today was all the things that went to sh*t about 20 minutes after the start.

I think about 16 of us lined up yesterday to race our mt. bikes. 14 finished, and I know at least 2 dnf. Maybe it was the big greasy burger the night before or the fact that I literally ran from the port-a-potty to the start line with seconds to spare or it was the first race of the year and I haven't exactly been killing it on the training scene, but, I still thought I was going to get a decent result.

From the back row I slipped passed a few riders and fell into 5th place as the trial narrowed into singletrack. I was pinned but feeling good as we slowly went up and down the course, then about 20 min in I shifted to my low gear as a short steep climb approached, nothing, chain drops and I jump off and run. I loosed a few places. Next hill same thing, few more places. So I stop and make a quick derailer adjustment and I am back on, but the next two and half laps are uneventful, except for the fact that I slowly got slower. I had nothing. I would stand to attack and then promptly sit back down and look at my non-responsive legs with big puppy dog eyes and say "pretty please". It didn't work.

I was battling to hold Grizzly Adams wheel on the last lap but felt like I could stay close to him and hopefully battle him for the 9th place finish. Then my rear tire went flat on a steep rocky gully. I had to walk to a few hundred feet to find a place out of the way to change to tire. I am so slow at changing a tube. I lost three spots and finished 10 min later then 9th place. 13th out of 14 finishers. Nice ehh.

Now the big questions. Commitment and Pain. This sport takes time and commitment to be successful, with work, family, house, other commitments takes time away from mtb racing. My left knee has been slowly degrading from about the middle of last year. I injured this knee snowboarding about 8 years ago and had orthoscopic surgery about 6 years ago. It has been pretty good until about the middle of last year. After about an hour of pedaling at race pace it becomes agonizing. I am planning on changing a few positions and look into some non-surgical solutions in the next few months and hopefully the future is bright.

So, this all becomes fuel for my fire. I will set it a blaze next race and fight even harder than ever. Oh, and I will have fun doing it. right?

So was looking through the pics from this weeks world cup and got a kick out our nation champs and there perfect posture on the bike. keep that back straight.