Last weekend was the official end of my 2009 season. Looking back, I am pleased with how everything turned out. My main goal for WORS was to finish in the top 3 for my age class. I ended up in 4th, but only by a small margin. Yes, if I had more time I could have focused my training a little more and done more of the races - but that was not what was planned for me. Even though I did not place in the top 3 for Sport, I am giving serious consideration to moving up to Comp. I am feeling less fatigued after races and am having a lot of fun while also posting results. If I stay in Sport one more year, I have a good chance at winning or placing high. At the same time, I feel as though I would not be giving myself a challenge (as if racing is not already challenging). In Comp I am thinking I will be able to really push myself and maybe in a year or two put up a good result. At least I have plenty of time to think everything through before I make the decision final.
As far as the Iceman went, I am feeling great after a good weekend and a great race. I started the weekend with a 2 hour drive to Green Bay on Thursday night. Then 6 AM on Friday I head to Shawn's to begin the 7 hour drive to Traverse City. We put in a warm up, got some great food, and rested for the next day's race. Looking back at the morning, I found that I ate too little for breakfast as we got everything ready to go. My start was at 10 and I figured eating less would give me a better start. This year I found the line on time and was able to be in perfect position for the start. The weather was also a very welcome change from last year. I estimate the start was about 20 degrees warmer than last year (my computer said 57) I think is was easily 50 degrees outside!
As we rolled out, a group of about 7 formed a pace-line and literally took off running. It seemed like only a few minutes passed before we started catching traffic from the wave 5 minuted ahead of us. Some of the guys in the group were really pulling hard as I frantically tried to stay in contact with the group. Once the trail got a little bumpy and sandy, I lost the wheel in front of me and watched the line pull away. A few others were in the same boat and we got together to gain time back. The next several miles were spent fighting to gain time and also get around the countless riders from waves ahead of us. I was feeling very strong - though a little foolish for losing the group - but strong none the less. Our chase group eventually broke apart and we were on our own.
About 13 miles into the race I realized I had not been eating and that my breakfast was too small. I was able to get a good shot of gel, but the effects were already setting in. I hit a fast gentle descent, where I put it in high gear and pushed as hard as I could. As the grade turned into a shallow uphill, my effort caught up with me and I blew up - my heart rate peaked and I lost all my power. Eventually I found a wheel I could hold and fought my way up the hills to come. About this point I thought to myself, 'I do not remember there being this many hills'. I was able to get into a good rhythm and push ahead, each hill taking more out of me. I knew I needed to eat more and I was happy that I packed some cliff bloks as my gel flask ran empty after only two shots. Each mile started to hurt more and more as I pushed harder that ever before.
The last five miles of the race contain some of the hardest hills out of the entire 29 miles. On Friday's pre ride, I felt great on the hills and I did not think about saving my energy for these last five miles - Big Mistake! Even in low gears, I just could not produce the power to efficiently move up the hills. Somehow, I found something deep down to get me up each hill. As I neared the finish stretch I knew everything I had to do: Descend the switchbacks, climb the wood chip hill, and sprint. I checked each one off as I pushed ahead. Each hard effort I felt my muscles spasm and I worked to fight off the inevitable cramps. Finally, I look ahead to see the finish line and give it everything I have. I gritted my teeth and pushed. I went over the timing strip and stopped pedaling. My right leg hit the bottom of the pedal stroke and instantly cramped. I found myself experiencing amazing pain and inability to bend my leg, yet a sense of satisfaction because I knew I left everything on that course. After a while of working out the cramps and stretching I felt a little better and went to check my results and celebrate 9th place in my age group with a time of 2 hours, 13 minutes. I can honestly say those last five miles were some of the most painful I have ever felt, but it was great to see how my body responded to the efforts I put in on the trail. The final event in the weekend was some great food at the Red Mesa Grill in Traverse City. If you ever want to have a great burrito (and margaritas), I would definitely recommend it!
Overall, the 20th Iceman Cometh was a huge success for me and all the guys who raced and a great finish to the 2009 mountain bike season. I want to thank everyone who has made this season such a success. Specifically, I want to thank Shawn for all his hard work with getting a new team started. The Titletown Flyers have become a great team and I look forward to riding with them for many years. I also want to thank all of the team's sponsors who help provide all the best gear to have a successful season. I want to thank God for giving me the ability to race and my parents who have always been supportive of my racing. Finally, a big thanks to my girlfriend Heather, who has been supportive of my addiction to racing and is always on the sidelines to hand off bottles and cheer me and the guys on!
I look forward to the 2010 racing season, until then it is time for a short break before winter training starts!
-Andy
"Ouch!"
"Yeah, that hurts!"
"This isn't going away easily..."