You’re @ the principals office, sorry Mommy was having too much fun on her SS at Northshore
The Excrutiation Exam was on Saturday. It was so cold, colder than I have ever camped before; sub 30 degrees. It didn’t phase me too much, I had all my cold weather Minnesota gear. It took a lot of clothes but I was pretty comfortable. I wasn’t feeling all that great going into it. I had the week off when we were in Florida. When I came back on the bike, I felt like I had lost quite a bit of fitness and only had a few days to get back what I lost. Vo2 work and LT work. I wasn’t sure who was going to be there, didn’t know what to expect. Didn’t want to get lost. Didn’t know how food was going to work, not water.
It was my first total paleo race. Nothing that wasn’t on the plan. I felt strong through the whole thing. I made a couple of mistakes. Going into Rocky Hill, I should have grabbed my espresso and my chicken. The other mistake was I should have had two espressos at Rocky Hill.
Rocky Hill was my nemesis. I hated it, over and over and over again. F’-bombs were flying. I had, at the last minute put my more agressive tires on. Hearing that even the roads at standing water on them, I wanted to feel more secure. It helped at Rocky Hill for sure. It took me 20 minutes longer than I thought. I didn’t hurt myself but I was all over in the mud. The tires helped a lot, otherwise I would have been crying for my momma. I felt like a chihuahua in a dryer. Thump, bump, thump, bump.
The road sections were fast and consistent. I was running out of power towards the end but considering that was my longest ride of the year, I can’t complain. I started fast, was fine, had a fast run, was fast in the trees, dropped a bottle and lost a lot of time. I had to wait for a HUGE train of people to grab it, and then, well, they were gone.
The whole 85 miles I did in 7:02. I wasn’t terribly disappointed, nor was a terribly happy. I knew I could have done better but you never know what is going to happen on race day. Rocky Hill I had about 8 potty stops. I couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t even drink 3 bottles in 4 hours. It was troubling me for I am really trying to make sure that doesn’t happen. Turns out it was hormones. There would have been nothing that could have helped that other than not having it be my time of the month. Like I said you never know what is going to happen race day. It probably cost me second place overall. But live and learn and do better the next time.
Since being back I have been very tired. I raced very hard and consistent for 7 hours. I took Sunday and ended up taking Monday off too. Tuesday I did ball class and rode 1.5 hours with the old man. That was fun, I had a couple of little sprints but not too much. Today hit Horseshoe with a flat went to Bikes Plus, and they rigged me up and I hit Northshore. I didn’t want to leave I was having so much fun. I wanted to stay a couple of more hours and pick the girls up from the principals office. I have been on the SS a couple of time now and I am already stronger than the first time. I’m glad to say my technical skill is still improving even at age 40!
The next few weeks, hills and power.