Chequamegon did not materialize the way I intended. Heavy rains in the days preceding may have signaled a slower pace, but I did not see that as a problem. I was going to lead out more aggressively than 2009 and was going to let the chips fall where they lay.
It was a strangely smooth start, accident-free. By the time we hit the dirt, I hit the gas and it was game on. The 1x9 gearing was dead-on and I was flying, but the Garmin was telling me a different story. At Cty OO, the story was over...I was a minute slower than 2009. Demoralized, it became a matter of survival and upon the exit from the muddy Martell, game over.
The next 18 miles were pain. Real pain. Even more pain crossing the line 15 minutes slower than last year. And I killed alot of that pain with alot of beer. Not the best fluid replenishment, but at that point I did not care if I ever got on a bike again.
Was it really that bad? Not really. My time may have sucked, but I only finished 2 places worst than 2009 with half the training. Conclusion: I should have never raced the 40--the shorter race is more suited to my age and my training opportunities.
But now, it is all over. No more racing a bike and I am not going to miss it.
Besides, I just bought a new pair of trail running shoes.....
