Sunday, April 27, 2008
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Sunday 27 April 2008 - Vance Creek RR
posted by: Martin
Hrs. Sleeping: 6
Pulse (waking):  
Pulse (rising):  
Difference:  
Weight: 181
Body Fat: 9
Time of Day: 1:30 pm
Distance: 80 miles
Time (total):  
Time (moving):  
Time (stopped):  
Speed (moving):  
Speed (overall):  
Total Ascent:  
Weather: mid to upper 50s, drizzly at times, some wind at times but not too bad
Workout Type: race

Breakfast: 6:30 am - smoothie
10:00 am - Boca burger with spinach and salsa, 2 tortillas
Lunch: I sipped on a bottle of Perpetuem during the drive to the race and had some water before the start
Dinner: 6:00 pm - tuna sandwich, leftover drink from the race
8:00 pm - soup
Workout Food: 2 big bottles each with 2 scoops Endurox R4 and 2 scoops Perpetuem and 2 Endurolytes capsules in each bottle
I had another small bottle in my jersey with 2 scoops HEED but never really needed it.

Course: Vance Creek RR
Results: Masters A-B - 3rd
official results
Comments: This year the race started and finished at the top of the hill which is actually really convenient as you are closer to the car when you are done. They also added a significant amount of distance so instead of the usual 60 or so miles that masters race we were doing six full laps for a total of 80 miles. A real man's race in other words and it had me scared!

Seriously - the last time I have ridden 80 miles is I can't remember when. I figured I would cramp up and drop out with two laps to go or something similar. I really surprised myself.

The start was just like any other master's race regardless of the distance; attack and attack until something sticks. So the entire first lap was go, go, go with Steve H from Vancouver, WA starting things off as soon as we rolled out. Matt H from Excel tried to jump away a few times as did Dave H, Paul W from Excel and I tried once or twice as well but mostly I was following attacks today and not initiating them. I knew I had to be in the move but I was not so interested in making it happen this early to be honest.

Somewhere before the first hill Paul W got away with Dave H and a couple of other guys I believe. They didn't exactly ride away from the pack and were only dangling out there. Just before the kick on the first time up the hill Matt H punched it from the front and Alan W and I responded. I could not quite hold the wheels and as I looked around I was surprised to see another ByrneInvent rider next to me! Three of us here and one in the break? I thought no way...

As we rounded the corner after the finish I yelled at this guy next to me to ride and to catch Matt and Alan since he was 20 feet in front of me and appeared to be stronger. He seemed to give it everything but after a few seconds my legs came around and I was able to bridge to him and then to Matt and Alan. We floundered a bit trying to chase down the leaders and were not smooth at all in our exchanges but we finally caught them at the start of the descent. And by this time that other teammate was gone. :(

So the break was eight riders and we were only 1.5 laps into the race. Nice.

From here we worked really well together. Occasionally someone would miss a turn but it was usually for a legitimate reason like they were messing with clothing or trying to eat, etc. The pace was pretty consistent and no one tried to jump away on the hills until two laps to go. This time I think it was Alan that set a stiff pace and at the top we were six. Around this time the temperature seemed to warm up a tad - that was really nice as we were all sorta damp.

Steve H is known for a strong finish when he's fit so now we basically took turns jumping off the front and making him chase. Mostly it was Matt and Alan and Dave as I was still nervous about the distance even though I was feeling relatively good. Finally Matt jumped and I was boxed in behind Paul, Steve and Alan. Luckily Dave had enough to go again and bridge and that was it. Steve could not chase again and we sat on and they were gone with about 1.5 laps to go. As we crossed the finish line and got the bell they told us the gap was 1:20 so now we were racing for 3rd.

Alan did try a couple of more accelerations as did Paul and I only chased Paul and sat on Steve as best I could. Then Steve put in an unexpected move just as we passed the old finish and I went with him. As we turned right onto the main road we had about 100 m.

As I pulled through Steve looked kind of whipped! I was not feeling spunky by any means but the next time we exchange the lead it was the same thing - I had a glimmer of hope.

And then Steve flatted! All of a sudden I hear a loud epithet as I take over the lead. I sit up and ask Steve what is up but right away I can see what it is - his rear tire has a slow leak and is half deflated already. So off I went.

I must have looked back a dozen times during those last two km or so... I was sure I was going to seize up or something. I just tried to keep it at around 90 percent and by the time I got to the kicker I had plenty of time so was able to slow and roll across the line easy.

Steve managed to grab a spare wheel from the follow car and make it in for 4th - way to go!

Amazingly I did not drink all of my bottles. I did start on my HEED but I had half of my second food bottle left at the finish. I think consciously hydrating and taking the Endurolytes helped.
Equipment: Ti Cycles Hyak, 39/53, 12-25, Zipp 404 wheels
road race
Sunday, April 27, 2008 2:14:29 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  |  Related posts:
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