School has been pretty crazy since Sheboygan, but alas I had some time today for a short ride and to get around to updating the blog. I guess I should mention the last race of the WORS season...
Sheboygan went pretty well. I went in with about 100 miles of training and feeling decent other than feeling a little sick. I found out just a little bit ago that the Banquet Pot Pies were recalled for salmonella, so I am putting two and two together and linking my nausea to the little pies that I ate that weekend.
At the start line I was feeling pretty good, as usual I was surrounded by day racers and the top 3 guys in my age class decided to hang out too... At the Goooooooo! I was to the front half of the group and stayed about there to let the others battle it out for the 20, 10, and 5. As we came through more of the course my predictions were correct, most of the guys killed themselves, and I mean Killed themselves. As I passed a few more riders I caught a glimpse of what could be my chance at a podium for the first time in sport... one of the top riders, had dropped out of the race with a technical. and a little ways ahead were the other two I was worried about. So I grabbed a wheel and hung on pretty easily. I could tell right away that I was in great shape for this race, and if there was a chance of getting on the podium this year, this was it. The equilizer did its magic on the first time around. I was set to climb it, but everyone else was not, so I took the bike and ran it. I got back on the bike and caught back up with one of the guys in my class. The second lap went pretty well, caught plenty of guys and was still feeling great. Came up on the equilizer this time and got most of the way, but just could'nt find that extra push I needed so I hopped off and ran again. Going into lap three, I was still feeling great. I was still right behind one of the guys in my class, but I was starting to get the feeling that I could be doing a lot more. I held off for a little while and then up ahead was a good opprotunity to try and put him behind me. I got set and looked for just enough room in the single track and put it in high gear. I came around from the back and passed 5 guys like nothing even happened and took off as quickly as possible. I shot through the creek crossing and came around the sharp turn and then I catch a glimpse of the guy I was trying to loose. As we left the single track he was gone. I was feeling a little tired from that last attack, but I pushed hard and caught another wheel. As we neared the equilizer I knew I would have to really push it to get ahead in this last leg. I gave whatever I had and hammered up to the equilizer. I sped about halfway up the equilizer and ran. At the top I did one of my best running mounts ever and struggled to get back in the race. To my disappointment I saw that another 19-24 guy was just in front of me. The race was on. I heard the Fat Cats guy yelling 4 minutes to go and I knew it was now or never. I gave it everything I had left and held onto to the wheel in front of me all the way through the finish line.
Final race results show that I was 9th place in my age group, only 6:45 behind the winners (about 3 day racers). I am definetly happy with the result though. I think with a few better move I would have done a little better, but that is for next year.
As far as overalls I am locked in at 7th place which is pretty awesome, especially given my schedule this year.
After Sheboygan things got pretty nuts for school. Suddenly I was facing a two-day midterm, 5 papers to turn in for various classes, and a calculus exam too. Needless to say I got on the bike for the first time today since the race (about 1.5 weeks if you were counting).
The ride was a nice and needed break from studies. Yesterday was the momentary end to my stress. Today was a little rainy at first but the weather got really nice just in time for me to head out. I was aiming for a short ride so I went out on Lake Dr. and turned around at the Lions (which mark the end of Lake Dr.). Heading back I found that the wind had shifted, giving me a full on headwind. The gusts were so powerful I thought I was coming off the bike a few times. I managed to keep the rubber side down and got back to the apartment which made for about 19 miles, so not bad at all.Now It is back to work and waiting for the drive to Stevens Point, Saturday for the WORS Banquet.
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