Iron Cross 2012, Race!

Race website
Race results (in ew! format, lol) 
My Strava data
CyclingDirt.org Video 

Iron Cross 2012 has been my Fall target race since doing Hilly Billy Roubaix 2012.  Hilly Billy showed me that I really enjoy ultracross because it plays to my adventurous side, and tests the limits.
Iron Cross 2012 was the final race of the American Ultracross Championship Series and is the queen stage (if u will) of the series.  That means deeper fields and hotter paces.

My Setup:
For nutrition I continue to go with Cerasport for hydration and Probar nutrition.  This is a no-brainer.  I also carry water and tools in my Camelbak Rogue.
For equipment I tried the Backcountry Research - Awesome Strap  for the first time.  It totally works (take the time to adjust it correctly) and I recommend no one uses a saddle bag ever again (man i hate saddle bags!).  If you are worried about your stuff coming loose and falling all over the place, well stop worrying.  Get the right awesome strap for the location that you want (stem, seat post, seat rails, etc.) and go Awesome.  Also, watch this video because its fun Awesome Strap baseball bat test.

I continue to ride tubeless on my Stans Alpha 340 Comp wheels.

For tires I chose Schwalbe Marathon Mondial, Double Defense, 700x35 at 570 grams, because I would rather take a weight penalty and have the extra flat protection.  The width is perfect for ultracross.  And the tread is great in dry conditions, gravel, and is even decent in wet conditions.  I would call it a winner if you're looking for some lower-risk ultracross racing.  But if you are willing to risk flatting for the chance to go a few minutes faster, then go with something lighter but with the same volume like the Stans Raven 700x35 at 360 grams.  I found this article enticing me to go to a lighter tire for my next ultracross experience (maybe all of 2013 to give them a fair shot).
In review:
1) they will last thousands of miles.
2) they are lighter (570 grams) than the bomb-proof continental cx plus (800 grams)
3) they are very flat resistant (gotta be the "Double Defense" version)
4) they seem to air up tubeless pretty easily on my Stans wheels.
5) the tread is very good on road, gravel, dry trails, and even decent on wet trails.

I am still using TRP CX8.4 linear pull brakes because cantilevers are rubbish and i can't afford to upgrade my cx bike to have disc brakes.  But I talked to someone with a Cannondale SuperX and I wanted it ;)

The weather:
Man, all week the weather reports worsened.  20% chance of rain and 53, then 40% chance of rain and 50, by Friday it was 80% chance of rain and 45.  The race directors sent out a doom-gloom/hypothermia email that was begging racers to be ready and encouraged them to even carry a Mylar blanket in case of an emergency.  Wowzer.  I was nervous.  I don't do well in cold/wet conditions.  Just like my tire selection, I decided I would rather play things safe, and take a speed penalty to be ready.  I wore an O2 Cycling Rain Jacket under my jersey.  Which worked pretty well despite NO RAIN!  Lol, I could feel the wind tugging on me a little so I focused on drafting during descents as often as possible.

The Race:
I lined-up front.  I wanted to try to go with the lead group.  Pat and Sug were up there, so why not?  It was pretty cold at the start and i was a little shaky.  Some of those shakes were nerves/excitement.  Garth Prosser(?), Gerry Pflug, are all up here.  That's cool ;)
The initial pace went out pretty hot.  It felt a lot like a 1 hour cyclocross race except a little less sprinty.  The first four-ish miles are on bike paths between 2 parks and so its gravel, a little sand, and some road.  A bit sketchy and I liked it a lot.  I could feel that I was a little above my limit but was happy to be following Gerry's wheel (see video)   

Early lead group:

As we approached the first cat 3 climb from mile 7 to 10, Piney Mountain Ridge Rd Climb, I hoped I could continue on with the leaders but that was a dream.  So I cut my early losses and decided to fall back.  Several of us kinda spread out behind the leaders throughout the climb and these would all form the eventual chase group.  Our organization out on the roads with rolling hills wasn't the best but we worked together.  I felt like one of the stronger of the bunch so I was happy with this group.  But in hindsight, when I was pulling i was doing a very bad job of pacing myself.  I go too hard for too long.  Then drop back in the group until the legs come to life and go again.  It was stupid excitement and just poor pacing.

Chase group being led by the eventual single speed winner.  Yes I am drafting on a single speed (43x18 on these climbs!):

The chase group whittled down to about 4 of us as we approached the Lippencote descent.  I felt pretty burnt by this point but hoped the descending would rebuild the legs.  I made sure to lead my group into Lippencote so that i could pick my lines in the technical trails.  I climbed the initial part well and then started descending.  I felt comfortable and didn't push it.  Then I see Pat with a flat and a little later I see Adam with a flat as well.  Damn, this trail took both AFC top contenders... out of contention.  Adam's flat kinda fixed itself via Stans liquid and some C02 so we continued out of the descent together.  I sprinted to grab the wheel of a roadie-looking rider that had a small gap on us... the legs responded with a resounding "I DON'T THINK SO!"  Hmmm, I'm not bouncing back as quickly as I had hoped.
Adam, the SS leader, and the roadie went on ahead as a group.  I rode moderately until I could catch a draft on the rider behind me.  We drilled some downhill (legs were coming back) but again I think I'm drilling too hard when I pull.  Bad pacing again.  On the Milesburg Rd climb at mile 28 I decide that its time ride my own race.  No more chasing people.  I've put too much hurt'n on myself and it's still too early in the race.  I climbed strongly and consistently (should have just ridden this way from the start) and prepared for the mighty WigWam.

Approaching the WigWam Run-up

Up WigWam I caught Adam and others that I had lost out on the roads.  I never ran, I just hiked faster.  According to Strava I'm the fastest on this segment.  Yay!  I'm tickled to be tops at something (although I would prefer to be the best pedal-er).  It was max heart rate for everyone and boy is it pretty up there ;)
I was getting thirsty heading into aid station 2 and thought we would all be stopping.  Negative, none of my group stopped.  I was surprised but took my time.  The mistake I made here is when the volunteers asked me how many scoops of Heed I wanted "1 or 2".  I'll take "4".  "4!" they say.  "Ya".  So what the hell was I thinking?  Well I'm not familiar with Heed other than drinking it at Hilly Billy.  The stuff tastes horrible.  At Hilly Billy they were digging it out with a teaspoon.  Apparently these guys were using a scooper (i wasn't watching them, i was eating).  I thanked them, jumped on the bike and grabbed my waterbottle.  I take a swig, "UUUuuuuugh!".  This is the nastiest sweetness of all time.  But i don't have much water left in my Camelbak so it'll have to do and I try to convince myself that some how the super sugary grossness is going to help me.  Please race directors, use Cerasport.  Heed is so gross.
So this first half of iron cross has totally shot my legs.  Time to regroup.  I have a lot of descending to do (i think).  So I just ride a comfortable pace.  Then hit some trials that I never rode in my recon.  Its some pretty tough climbing.  The legs are not happy.  I'm constantly looking for ways to cut my losses.  But then Brian Patton shows up.  He and I have become friends, meeting in Potapsco before SugarHill 2012 and keeping in touch via Strava and Facebook.  He told me he was in the hunt for the series win for under 40, having ridden Hilly Billy and Three peaks.  I wanted to help him but doubted I could.  He recommended that I draft on him through these gravel road descents.  I'm happy to oblige.  This helped a ton.  I'll take it too far and say that I was riding on the neon wings of an angel (for a while), Lol.

Thompson Hollow Descent, or maybe the descent after Thompson....i don't know.

After some fun gravel descending we head out on the roads.  Again I think my pacing during pulls was really poor.  I was extra motivated to help Brian try to catch the guy that he was battling for the series.  But it just wasn't any good.  Its like I am trying to go faster via a pace-line instead of trying to go the same speed with less effort.  I'll definitely improve on this in my next pace-line.  Anyway, I gave it almost everything I had out on those roads.  I planned to eek-out the last drops of effort at Hogshead.  As soon as we hit the loooong Hogshead climb Brian went ahead.  I didn't mind too much.  I knew at this point I would finish, and finish pretty well.

Hogshead Road Climb

I got passed by maybe 5 riders on Hogshead.  But made it to the top without cramps or any other problem other than being really tired.  I descended well to aid station 4.  There I ate a peanut butter sandwich which is now a new favorite aid station treat.  Also apple slices (mmmmmmmm PA apples!).  I got some water and headed into the final trails of the race.  I wasn't pushing but riding ok.  There was no one around.  After several miles a guy in a Cycleworks orange kit caught me.  I went with him, excited that we had about 5 miles left, and that I had some one to race.  I let him lead since he was obviously stronger on the pedals at this point.  His technical log hopping skills were pretty bad though.  I gave him some room and used my skills to absorb his efforts.  On a tougher log jump he crashed and I went ahead.  He came back after a while and we hit the run-up, me with a slight gap.  We also closed in on another guy.  This was getting painful but exciting!  After the run-up was a grassy trail climb.  My climbing legs are totally shot and I'm barely staying on the bike but I pedal, pedal, pedal.  I hear Pat come up behind me when he says "AFC!".  I say "finally!" knowing that he must have taken a long time with his flat and partied a bunch at the aid stations to just be catching me now with 3 miles to go.

At the top of the climb we all take beer hand-ups.  Yummy!  The cycleworks rider passes me on the final road section and I just settle in on his draft.  I feel bad racing this way but I decide that I will pretend he is rider 20 and my goal is to be top 20, so I'm going to beat him.  We make the turn to the finish and I take the sprint.  Whew!  That was a fun hard race.  2 thumbs up to the Iron Cross folks.  Their course is really well marked and top notch.

Awesome strap!

Iron Cross 2012, final pre-race notes

The IC course description is really good (in my opinion).  I add some notes from my recon.
2 days until race time!

from ic website:

We usually break this thing down into four "sektors" - as we're fond of calling them.  Each Sektor has it's own unique features and they are separated by our checkpoints making it pretty easy to figure out what's where - as long as you're not so oxygen depleted that you don't remember where you are, what day it is, or why the heck you're climbing up a cliff with a bike hanging off your back.


Sektor 1 - Start to CP#1
Features:  Start at Pine Grove Furnace State Park; KOM/QOM; rolling roads and two big climbs
This is fast fast fast for the most part with the start course sometimes playing a bigger role in the race than you might think.  A prologue loop of rolling pavement and rail trail brings you back through Pine Grove SP in about four miles. Find a group to ride with and hang on up the first dirt climb as you'll appreciate the help on the rolling roads that lead to the first major climb to the KOM just before CP1.  Up front the attacks usually start on those rollers after a long burn up the first climb has put a couple pretenders out the back.  The KOM climb will cause a selection or perhaps even a breakaway and small groups will solidify for the run to Lippencote with riders chasing hard to make contact.
--- I didn't ride this section.  Seems like a descent description.  This is cardio work, nothing really technical.

Sektor 2:  CP#1 to CP#2
Features:  Lippencote Tr. descent; Rt 30; WigWam "Run" Up
Rolling along the top of the ridgeline to Lippencote the front runners may test each other but alliances form here so that those who are off the back don't get the chance to get back on.  Then comes Lippencote which can be carnage or bliss depending on how smooth and light you can ride the rocks.  You can't hold back though because a minute lost here can prove very difficult to pull back.  Lippencote will almost certainly put paid to at least one front runner's day, but those who can float this descent can then fly on the flats of Rt 30 around the end of the ridge.  But awaiting all is Wigwam, IC's infamous run-up.  Often a decision maker in this race, it is not unusual to see groups enter the trail to Wigwam together only to emerge at the top scattered over minutes of trail as they enter CP#2.

-- The miles approaching lippenconte you will be riding a park road (gravel but smooth, nothing like hilly billy).

-- It is pretty much rolling hills and fast so u should be in a group.

-- At some point you will see a clearing coming, that is powerlines.  These powerlines are very close to the LEFT_HAND turn into Lippenconte.  I think it is super important to not get caught behind a bunch of technical slowpokes.  Get up front as best as possible at the powerlines and get ready for a semi-short technical trail climb.  I rode it on my single speed mtb with cx tires.  But it was dry.  Point being, positioning up front seems to be really important.  After the semi-short climb is the big descent.  This thing is classic michaux.  Take ur time and ride or run it as necessary.  But take comfort that you put a bunch of slowpokes behind u at the hole shot.

-- at the base of the descent u come to a road.  there is a lot of road from here so find a group and chill (lot of downhill for many miles).

-- eventually u will start getting back into the forest (on roads) and are getting near a biiig road/gravelish (smooth) climb.  Several minutes to climb this.  if u got gapped and are in a group that is kinda slow, this is where u make a move to catch the next group.  At the top of that climb the road will flatten out and the reservoir will be on ur right.

-- basically with the resevoir on the right u are approaching the Wigwam run-up.  But it really is four parts.

1) As you leave the reservoir a left hand turn is coming.  This turns immediately into some single/double track that is kinda a technical climb (very hilly billy-esqu).  steep and kinda loose.  It was totally rideable dry.  So u want to get into this section towards the front of ur group and drill this hill.

2) u come out to a powerline field and have to ride the flat (tall grass) field to the base of wigwam.  put everyone behind u that u possible can before this run-up.

3) Hike wigwam as fast as possible.  but avoid getting on ur toes and trying to run.  Overall u'll be faster if u hike quickly/smoothly.  Ur heart rate will be max.

4) At the top of the run-up u bike for a bit on double track but have another rocky run-up in about 1/4 mile.  hike (and possibly run) that one fast too.  At the top of that you have officially finished the run-up.  slog ur way in the field (tall grass) to the road.  IF u have a group to ride with from here u will probably never see people gapped behind u ever agian!
 
Sektor 3:  CP#2 to CP#3
Features:  Repeat climbs, Long Paved Section, Super Fast Descending
This Sektor would be a hoot except that is it preceded by that run-up and that makes things ruff for a bit.  Once you get your legs back under you you'll start rolling across a ridge top road that, if you're lucky enough to be with some buds, can be some fast stuff.  A short sweet climb leads to more rolling ridge riding and perhaps the fastest descent of the day - keep your head up and watch for the off-camber bit!  Hit the pavement along the base of the ridge; it is great to have friends to share the work on this bit of the course too!  Keep your head up for those turns though as there are couple of them to keep you on the right course, both on the ground and on the telephone poles (and if you don't see the confirmation arrow then you probably missed something!).  A final right off the pavement and a slight upgrade mean you're just about to CP#3 where they'll great you with a smile, a smile that hides their pity for what you are about to experience.

-- I didn't ride the first half of this section so take the description for what its worth.

-- The second half of this section is pretty tame and fast gravel road so u'll be happy to be in a group.

Sektor 4:  CP#3 to Finish
Features:  Hogshead Climb; Woodrow Descent; CP#4, Final Singletrack; Last Run-Up (?); Pavement Finish!
And now we come to it.  The final sektor of Iron Cross.  We don't take it easy on you so don't expect to coast home.  First it's Hogshead, probably the biggest meanest bitch on the course.  This thing is relentless.  You think you're at the top.  You're not.  Keep going. And then go some more.  Then swear at the guys that came up with this course.  Then rub out the cramps.  Then keep going and you're close.  Next up is the descent of Woodrow.  Watch those corners, it's loose and sketchball.  Down the descent to CP#4 and some fun double and singletrack a short road bit and more trail for next few miles.  If it's dry a lot of the folks up front will rip through this bit with a couple steps here or there and one last run up to get back to the ridge top.  The really fast guys ride that last run up in the dry.  If it's wet...YMMV.  From there you'll smell the finish.  Well, that's actually your stank but it does smell, I'll give you that.  Rip across the ridge and then it's down the paved descent (where it is the only time of the day you're wishing for bigger gears) and into the finish at Pine Grove Furnace and the Iron Masters Mansion.

-- Pat and Sug will destroy the Hogshead climb.  It pails in comparsion to SM100 climbing but its long and tough.

-- The woodrow Descent is where Sug/Alex/Goat crashed back in 2007ish.  So take these fast loose turns with care.  It really helps to have the course displaying in your garmin (i found).  I could see the hairpin or gradual turns coming on the map.

-- Survive the trails.  The description is very good though.  It is a lot of rideable stuff.  But definitely favor the run if ur unsure.

-- Goat and I missed the run-up they mention at the end of the trails so I've got nothing to add to that.

 

Charm City Cyclocross 2012, day 1 and day 2

Ahhhhh a little cyclocross to sooth the soul.  My last race was epicly epic, THE Shenandoah 100.  So its nice to be coming to a race that involves less preparation, less stress, less travel, and less... rac'n.

Charm city is nostalgic.  It was my first real bike race.  I did Cat 4 in 2010, then won both Cat 4 races in 2011 to get my upgrade, and did both 2/3/4 races this year.

Day 1 was not all I had hoped.  I started 4th or 5th row which was decent.  I liken a start with that many racers of different skill levels to escaping a burning building.  The first lap or two is the burning building.  Some escape easily, others not as easily.  Point being, you can't start racing until you escape the building and get with a group of riders that aren't holding you back and aren't going to wreck wildly.

The start was sluggish.  I picked my way through pretty well on lap 1 to move into the top 20.  My body wasn't too happy though.  I was nervous that my lack of cyclocross training would hurt me.  I was hurt'n!  I hung in there.  It was hot hot hot.  I didn't enjoy this race immensely but it was fun.  I think I finished 15th.

Day 2 was a totally different.  I start 3rd row this time and from the "go!" felt like my old cyclocross self.  I put in efforts to pass and was in the top 15 after lap 1.  But this time I felt that there was plenty of gas in the tank.  I caught up to a group including Jameson Ribbens and Andrey Doroshenko.  I'm pretty sure I can ride with these guys and I know they did well on Day 1 so I'm happy.

After a while I hear that we're in the top 10 and there are tons of guys just ahead.  I decide to attack and try to make it to the next group.  This was foolish in hindsight.  I had worked hard to catch these guys who mostly started front row.  I should have spent more laps with them.  The attack hurts me and I drop back to the back of the group. And I'm hurt'n!  But I think I can rally and still take this group in a few laps.

Approaching the sandpit it takes a lot of effort to ride it because I'm sitting at the back of the pack and have to deal with the riders in front of me swerving and slowing.   This became a recurring theme for my race.  Bale or crash in the sand pit.  Spend a lap to catch back up to the group.  But bale or crash again because they are all sprawled out in front of me (that's right, i could do it easily if it wasn't for them, lol ;).

But I'm loving this race.  I'm riding hard but within myself.  I'm competing.  I'm pedaling AND thinking.  Usually it's all pedaling for me.  I'm making mistakes and learning.  I'm measuring up the guys in my group.  I'm looking for ways to beat them.  I've never really been able to enjoy the tactics of racing.  This is awesome!

I end up in a group of 3 riders with a lap to go.  The body has been giving it all she's got and i'm in the mix for a top 10 finish.  I start thinking how I'm going to handle our last sandpit pass.  This sand has been killing me.  I'm going to run through it and go for the sprint on the road.

We come to the sandpit, and once again i'm sitting at the back of the group.  I immediately go for the run but stupidly go inside.  There is room but not much.  There had been plenty of room on the outside line!  The rider in front starts swerving and ends up coming into me and the tape.  I'm running full speed and just tear through the tape and kinda through him (sorry dude!).  Its a mess and I'm not proud of it but I make it through.  The guy at the front of our group is clear and I'm not catching him but the second guy is still close enough.

I close down the gap in the final turns and sprint on the road.  The guy makes an effort but he can't match.  I come close to catching the leader of our group but it was too much space.  Soooo FUN!!!
Super exciting and I think this is one of my first really tactical races (it showed).  There is something to be said for not just pedaling ur guts out the whole race.  It was a blast and I believe I ended up 10th.

Shenandoah 100 2012, race

Oh man, this was so brutally terrible it almost doesn't qualify for a lancefun blog.  But this chat with Danny got me kick started.  The report follows this chat.  But the chat is better.

Dan:  http://www.bobs-photogallery.com/MountainBikeRaces/2012-Mountain-Bike-Races/Shenandoah-Mountain-100-Sept-2/25172865_D7rQgs#!i=2065052312&k=Tm8qBXx

 me:  lol, that's the "i'm going to be top 5 SS" look

silly fellow

 Dan:  haha!

 me:  deep down inside its also the "danny really kicked my ass up that last hill and now i can't see him.  i thought i was going to out climb him?" look

 Dan:  man I was looking for you, I totally expected you to kill me on that hill

 me:  i could see u and wolfy.  but i was zone 5 at least to be that close.  and after that really long climb somewhere in mile 20ish i never saw u again.  and i was totally broken by then

miserable

 Dan:  man it makes me sad to hear you were miserable

 me:  ya.  it was just such a struggle.  never felt comfortable until i decided i was going to quit chasing u.  but didn't decide that until after i sunk my own battle ship with no hope of feeling good.  and then i had to walk up all those techy climbs.  bad to worse.  i enjoyed some of the descents.

 me:  until my hands got exhausted and i could barely brake anymore.  hahaha. pathetic

 Dan:  hahah it was a pretty rough intro to NUE i guess

you still had a solid time

 me:  ya, could have been worse.  rallied from mile 40 to 85 (through soul crusher)  but then that big descent just ended me with the exhausted hands (crash).  and the final long climb was sad... lol.  man i hated a lot of that.  this is my race report.  i don't think i'll blog about it because it doesn't qualify for lancefun.blogspot....

 Dan:  oh man! epic hard days are the best blogs to read

http://www.bobs-photogallery.com/MountainBikeRaces/2012-Mountain-Bike-Races/Shenandoah-Mountain-100-Sept-2/25172865_D7rQgs#!i=2066700423&k=ZwnM5q6

 me:  lol.  that was definitely my favorite part of the entire ride!  glorious that they got that pic.  makes my day.  thx dan.  i'll post this chat as my blog post.  then maybe fill some stuff in as i have time

 

Shenandoah-oah-oah-oah.... Your mountains are large and I shall climb them like a frolicking goat!

So most of the blogs I read leading up to this behemoth 100 miler is that the climbs are long the descents are awesome and its basically a party.  The only thing i was worried about was the sheer time on the bike.  I had never ridden a bike for longer than 4 hours and 42 minutes during Hilly Billy Roubaix 2012.  So 8+ hours sounded like a lot.  Also, my longest mountain bike race was a 24 mile race at Sugarhill 2012.  I bonked pretty hard during that.  Also, I converted my bike to single speed three week before so I had never raced a single speed.  But despite all that I still thought the only real issue for me would be the total time and distance.

 

Then I read this blog by Schottler from 2011 where he finished in 7:46 (fast!) and it sounded a little tougher.  I thought "alright maybe this is going to be more technically challenging then i think".

 

I drove to the campground the night before, arriving at 10:30pm.  I was sleeping in my car and maybe fell asleep by 12am.  Super happy about a decent night's sleep.  I woke at 5am and got ready.  I hadn't planned for the darkness and didn't have a headlamp so getting ready with my bike light in awkward positions made for slow going.  The whole drop bag situation confused me some.  The stations already have tons of food.  The drop bags are just for rider specific stuff.  Weird and I don't feel comfortable with the drop bag stuff.  Ok, I'll put some Cerasport and Probars at aid station 3.  But I'll just carry the bulk of what I need.  (MISTAKE)

Pat shouted for me at the start.  I got in next to him.  The sun is starting to rise so the race starts soon.  Pat points out Gerry Pflug, Ron Harding, and others.  I get to chat it up with Roger Masse (love that guy!).  This is cool.  6:31am and we're off!

 

Right away I'm huffing and puffing.  This is nothing like the party pace I read about in previous 100 miler descriptions.  People are flying.  And my single speed is holding me back.  I'm at the back of the big lead group and start thinking "Maybe I just need to dig deep for 30 minutes and things will really settle down on the first climb"

 

The first climb is mildly-hard. and pretty long.  I'm digging and passing some but mostly keeping up.  I can see Danny Atkins and Dan Wolf (both of Race Pace bicycles) not too far ahead.  These are the guys I had hoped to ride with.  But that's because I thought I would be well within myself.  But I'm redzone.  We're 20 minutes in and people aren't backing off.  "Ok, well maybe I just need to dig for 1 hour hard then things will settle".

Things are a little slick and loose on the descent.  I feel pretty capable though.  Mostly we're all happy its not raining.  Things are a blur from here.  I don't remember what happened for a while.  But I know that I was still uncomfortably working hard.  Spinning like crazy on the flats.  Mashing on the uphills on my 32x18 single speed.  I'm hurting.  We hit another long climb.  Again I see Dan and Dan but can't catch them without sprinting.  "Maybe I'll see them later".

We get into some single track.  This was getting pretty technical with big rocks jutting out everywhere.  What the hell?  Its really hard to follow geared guys because the spin slowly through this stuff.  I'm single speed and have to back off, then mash over a slick rock, then back off.  This is getting brutal and I'm not even a quarter of the way through.  I'm already borderline miserable.  But probably still doing well place wise.  press forward.

We go down a long technical descent and out on the roads.  I'm guessing we're at mile 25 or so.  I'm spinning like crazy to stay with a group.  I know that I'm heading towards a disastrous 100 if I keep doing this but the Dan's are still ahead, and I can't bear to let these groups go and ride my own pace.  We catch a big group that is part pacing.  I believe Dan Wolf is in it.  I don't see Atkins.  The leader looks like Gerry Pflug but that doesn't seem right because the women's leader "Sue" is here as well.  I'm so happy to be going slow and to have caught up with the group that I believe I belong with.

The joy is short lived.  We turn into a trail section and I'm towards the back of the group.  Again the climb is pretty technical and the geared riders are taking it so slowly!!!!  Its killing me as I balance on my single speed, then mash hard over slick roots/rocks then back off so that i don't run into the line of rider ahead of me.  I know I need to walk but I'm also trying not to stop and cause the people behind me to have to walk to.  Finally a falter and scramble out of the way to let people go by.  I'm starting to hate this.

After some significant walk-climbing i see that nearly everyone is walking now. In fact this is a know "run-up" of the race.  I just was walking sooner than everyone else.  I just can't believe how technical this is.  Its nothing like I imagined.  eventually I see some one riding up behind.  Its Roger Masse!  Dude is riding much further up the "run-up" than most others.  impressive.  I know I'm toast and he looks pretty good. Damn I wish I had stuck back with him earlier.

I don't really remember the descent after this long climb.  I think it was fun.  I had met up with a single speeder, Kelly Klett, and decided to stick with him for as long as possible.  We seemed to be climbing at similar speeds.  I'm mashing and he looks more comfortable.  He tells me he's riding 34x21!  I tell him I chose a 32x18 and it was proving to be too tall.  He chuckled and said "well i shouldn't be seeing you in the last 30 miles".  I agreed.

 

Its starts raining pretty hard.  UUUUUUGH!  Not rain too!  I'm feeling sorry for myself.  Bleh! Thankfully I had arm warmers because I wasn't pedaling hard enough to keep warm.

I rode with Kelly for maybe 15 miles.  But lost him as I stopped at aid station 3.  This was fair since I think I caught him after aid 2 where he stopped.  I basically rolled through that one (MISTAKE).  There was a longish road section where I had plenty of time to chill and contemplate quitting.  I'm feeling pretty terrible.  And this is my last chance to drop out anywhere close to the finish.  But i've invested this much time/effort/money/pain.  Press forward.  My only real fear at this point was cramps.  So I was drinking Cerasport and eating Probars and Hammer gel liberally.  Of all the things I did wrong I can at least say I ate enough.  The MISTAKE was that I carried most of it with me and should have put most of it in drop bags at aid 2 and 4 as I had originally planned.  That weight adds up.

 

I drafted on some geared guys.  Again this felt way harder than I imagined it should.  I'm feeling crummy.  We get into some trails and approach a monster climb at mile 50.  I try to ride it but again its just too technical (narrow, semi-loose, very wet roots, rocks).  It felt like the roots and rocks were trying to push me off the side of the trail.  I would get to a flattish section, hop on my bike.  Get clipped in.  Pedal pedal then back tire slides on a root and i'm back off nearly falling down the hill.  Now I'm just angry.  I WISH I HAD QUIT!  The descent is not all that fun for a broken angry fellow either.

Out on the roads leading into the biggest climb of the day I pass by people that look as soul-less as me.  We all look pretty fit/fast.  But are having bad days from one thing or another.  No one is really talking.  I'm getting depressed just recounting it, lol!  We're climbing slowly and then enter some double track.  Now the real climbing up to aid 5 begins.

 

I can't sit climb.  The legs are shot.  So like my four year old son, I stand on the pedals and churn slowly, body swaying back and fourth for over an hour.  I have no idea how I can pedal standing for so long.  Just for short segments when I sit.  I knew this would be a long climb but it seems to go beyond long.  Danny Atkins had warned me that the climbing wasn't over by aid 5.  So at aid 5 I get some food, get a drink and prepare to climb more.

 

Well, the climbing past aid5 is nothing like the climbing before.  This is muddy.  This is boggy.  How is there so much water on top of a mountain?  It stopped raining 30 minutes ago but water is coming out of every mountain orifice.  I'm told by another rider that its wet up here even when it hasn't rained.  This defies logic.  Its a an active volcano of water up here!  The pedals are turning so slow but I'm still passing other dead folk and I'm still fighting.  How can I possibly still be pedaling.  standing and pedaling?  The human body is amazing.

I keep climbing and dipping and climbing and dipping.  Its maddening!  does this mountain have a top.  Looking at the map I suppose I was riding the ridge of the mountain.  This IS crushing my soul but i'm a little happy that the legs aren't cramping.  They are turning.  And finally! the descent.  No wait another rise.  The descent!  Nope another rise.

Then the real descent.  This thing is so long.  I thought I would be glad to be here.  But this is even worse.  I'm exhausted so I have no technical skills.  So I'm on the brakes.  But the hands are shot.  Literally I can't squeeze the levers anymore.  I stop to let the hands rest and go again.  I can't believe even the descents are crushing my soul now.  At some point I wreck, imagining what my face will meet as i go over the bars.  Will a stick stab me in the eye?  Will my neck get slashed on a rock.  Nope just dirt and gravel.  I check my bike praying that there is no damage.  Ok its good.  I litetally pray out loud, "God please get me off this MOUNTAIN!".  This marks my first steps into desperation.  The crash gave my hands a little rest though so I'm able to descend again.  But I keep meeting techy, kicker hills.  The legs can't do it and I have to walk my bike up them.

Finally the bottom.  I basically skip aid 6.  I just want to get back.  MISTAKE.  12 miles doesn't sound like much but at 9mph, its over an hour to the finish.  This dawns on me about a mile past the station.  I'm not turning back.  So far its road and I can do that.  Then the final climb.  I know it aint little but now its the biggest slowest slog.  At least its not technical.  I get passed by a single speeder that makes me look like i'm standing still.  I care.  But can't do anything.  The downhill is miserable with my mushy lifeless hands.  Some guy tries to past me just before the finish area.  He could hear that we were close and took a chance but crashed.

I finish in 9 hours 22 minutes.  Ugh!  Pat cheers me in.  He won the single speed division on the same gearing (32x18) today finishing in 8 hours 8 minutes.  Life is improving.  I finished.  And Pat won.  Food!  Wash the bike and cry to Dan Atkins and Dan Wolf how much that sucked.  They didn't have the most fun either finishing in 8 hours 40ish minutes.  I ended up 8th among single speeders.  There were and incredible amount of DNF'd riders.

Shenandoah 100 2012 preparation

The 2012 Shenandoah 100 is this weekend.  I tested all of the bike configurations yesterday on my ride with Pat.  The machine is ready.
But there are tons of other things to prepare.  Here is the checklist that Pat and I created and are using:
Ultra Race Checklist

Notice the "upload course to Garmin Edge 500".  I did this for my Iron Cross Recon rides.  I would have been horribly lost without it.  So why not use the feature for racing ultras too?  It can show me how much further I have to the finish, my estimated finish time, the profile of the course ahead, and breadcrumbs to show the pathway (and get back on course if you're off course).  The breadcrumbs aren't a map, so at forks in the course it can be difficult to tell which way to go.  It's not perfect, just awesome :)

Steps I used to upload the Shenandoah 100 course to my Garmin:

1. Find the course on Strava.  Literally I typed "Shenandoah 100 strava" into Google and found Brain P's ride from last year.  I was looking for a better course recording than Danny Atkin's because it looks like Danny's recording from last year was a little off on some of the roads.  This was an indicator to me to look for a more precise recording.
2. Go to this Strava Export Tool. I pasted the Strava ride URL into the bar and selected TCX.  Click export and expect to wait a while because this is a looooong course.
3. Download the TCX file from the page that is displayed on completion.
4. Log-in to Garmin Connect.
5. Click upload.  And selection Manual upload.  And select the TCX file.
6. Do the quick edit so that you can name the course whatever you like ("Shenandoah 100").
7. Make sure your Garmin is plugged into your computer.  And select "upload to device".
8. Then follow these instructions for loading/riding the course.  Note that you don't have to start where the course starts.  You can "start the course" while you are off course or at a different point on the course and then Garmin will tell you when you have reached the course and will guide you from that point.

Iron Cross 2012, course recon

In my previous post I had decided to recon the 2012 Iron Cross course on my single speed mountain bike with ultra cross tires.  Well really I was riding the 2011 course which I assume will be similar.  And by ultra cross tires I mean a Continental 35mm Speed King cx tire on the front and a Scwalbe Marathon Mondial 35mm with double defense on the back (tubeless).

The Schwalbe Marathon Mondial setup tubeless was the tire that I was really wanting to test.  If it held well I plan to buy another for the race.  I also wanted to test my SS gear selection.  I went with 32x17 since I am new to single speeding and I wasn't sure how brutal the hills would be.

Overall I would say the course is generally tame but with a few fun and super challenging sections.  Maybe 45 miles tame and 15 miles of fun/tough stuff.  So maybe it is a "bad" course for a single speeder compared to something like Hilly Billy Roubaix which is almost constantly epic :)

There is a lot of paved road.  Then lots of well maintained gravel road with long, usually gradual climbs. So a tall gear would be great in those sections.  But then there is some Michaux single track where a shorter gear is good.

The course has some really nice parts.  The Lippenconte (sp?) trail section is classic Michaux single track with giant rocks and scenic woods.  In this video you can see me entering the trail and climbing a pretty technical initial section:

Other than this initial climb, there is one other dicey downhill section.  The rest of the trail is smoother single track.


Then after a long section of road including route 30, you climb a long gravel hill back into Michaux.  No extreme grades, just long.  And you find yourself at the reservoir (not the best video):

 Not too far from the reservoir is the killer run-up.  You have a semi-technical double track trail climb to get to it.  The first video is approaching it (looks like a giant wall in front of you).  The second video is me "hiking" it.

That run-up is going to really separate things.  And it is probably THE biggest decider in the race.  It is max heart rate action for well over 10 minutes.

That concluded day 1 recon.  Onto day 2 recon this time riding with The Goat (Greg Saylor).

There is a bunch of gravel road riding from mile 25 probably to 40ish.  That includes some more paved road.  Goat was on gears and was nearly sleeping as I spun out on my SS through this section.  Then we had a long climb on gravel roads again.  I made this video as we crested the top:

Then near the end of the course is a longish single track section that was so much fun i forgot to stop the video:

In terms of gearing I would say that 32x17 was too short. 32x16 is probably what i will ride if I do SS.  Decisions.  I'm probably not going to podium in the open.  And i risk hurting my CX bike on the single track.  I'll have a good shot for the podium in SS and there is less risk of mechanicals.  But the course is pretty tame except for a few great MTB sections.  I guess in the heat of racing the tame sections won't be too boring.  So I'll probably go SS.

To win this race I think you have to ride a cyclocross bike with fast rolling tires.  That was definitely not true at Hilly Billy Roubaix where it seemed that mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes were equal.

This recon ride would have been impossible without the breadcrumbs course feature in my Garmin 500.  Lifesaver! http://www.blog.ultracycle.net/2010/05/courses-on-the-garmin-edge-500

I'm looking forward to it!

Iron Cross 2012, Setup

I am trying various combinations of tires/bikes.  At Hilly Billy 2012 I used the Continental Cyclocross Plus because I wanted a bomb-proof tire and was more focused on finishing the longest/hardest race that I had ever attempted.  Well they were definitely bomb proof but the 800 grams of tire is a bit sluggish and probably over kill.  Time to optimize!

Here is the chat to Master mountain bike jedi Danny Atkins:
me:  oh man.  put a cx tire (front) and touring tire (back) on my SS mtb because i'm going to ride the iron cross course the next 2 days

tried it out on my home cx course at ccbc.

that was just fun.

might never ride my cx bike off road again

 Dan:  oh awesome!

haha

curious why a touring tire?

 me:  for real, why!

i'll tell u why

because the only way to get a puncture resistant, low rolling resistant, 29'r or 700 sized tire that isn't too fat.... get a touring a tire.  i got the shwalbe mondial.

the only killer... they aren't so hot at going tubeless

i'm hoping they still have air when i get home today

tested them last night

 Dan:  that's an interesting choice

how did it do?

 me:  but they are about 250 grams lighter than the tires i rode at hilly billy.  so that is the big advantage.  yet they are still very puncture resistant.

it went great

as long as they are still holding air tubeless today

check out my little g+ post:

dear cyclocross bike, sorry but I found something else. Oh, it's name? single speed ultra cross Mountain bike.

 

and iron cross is more fast rolling roads than hilly billy

so it is a faster tire

struggling to come up with a solution for the front tire tho

mondial's don't have enough tread i feel like to be a front tire

just used a 700x35 cx tire.

which feels great

but now i've lost the puncture resistance in the front

 Sent at 8:07 AM on Friday

 Dan:  why not go with another one of those contis?

 me:  800 grams

trying to go like 550 grams

mondial is 580 but the tread aint good enough

 Dan:  i see

 me:  so maybe even 650 in the front

just not 800!

and the tread life is horrible on the conti cx plus

the mondial should last forever

 Sent at 8:11 AM on Friday

 me:  if the mondial does well in my test rides today and tomorrow. i may go with it as a front tire too.

 Sent at 8:13 AM on Friday

 me:  actually, ya that is the plan.  mondial for the front too if it can survive tubeless in the back this weekend.

 Sent at 8:17 AM on Friday

 Dan:  what pressure will you run them at

 me:  i did 55psi at hilly billy.  but will probably try to go 45ish today/tomorrow on the mondial

what do u think?

 Dan:  no idea

ha, i really dont know...touring tires aren't my thing

 me:  ya, me neither.  the mondial is THE road/off road touring tire

used to be called something else. marathon extreme or something.  anyway.. i'm a little extreme

 Dan:  oh yeah the marathon is ringing some bells

 Sent at 8:21 AM on Friday

 

So let the test begin!

Westside Worlds 2012/08/08

A group unofficial leaderboard
B group unofficial leaderboard


The unofficial Westside Worlds ride came to an unofficial end.

It will unofficially continue on without the cross racers.

Super year!

Westside Worlds 2012/08/01

A group unofficial leaderboard
B group unofficial leaderboard
My Strava data


The unofficial Westside Worlds ride is still seeing new faces and turnout is pretty amazing for this late in the season.  Thats awesome!

The A group ride was tough and a whole lot of fun.  Next week is possibly the last WsW of the year (CX BABY!).

Iron Cross 2012, Idea

Hilly Billy Roubaix 2012 was so awesome that Iron Cross 2012 is a near must.

Time to begin prepping.

Here is some sweet video from 2011, courtesy of cylcingdirt.org.

killer trail section:

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/240312-NoTubes-Iron-Cross-2011/video/509694-Iron-Cross-Leaders-on-Lippencote-Descent 

highlight video:

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/240312-NoTubes-Iron-Cross-2011/video/509803-Iron-Cross-Highlights-2011 

last year's winner was a roadie/duathlete/triathlete:

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/240312-NoTubes-Iron-Cross-2011/video/509681-Iron-Cross-Dereck-Treadwell-1st 

pflug second:

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/240312-NoTubes-Iron-Cross-2011/video/509693-Iron-Cross-Gerry-Pflug-2nd 

gunnar shogren "40x19 SS"

http://www.cyclingdirt.org/coverage/240312-NoTubes-Iron-Cross-2011/video/509682-Iron-Cross-Gunnar-Shogren-2nd-SS

Gotta watch the kids? Time for a long run!

Watch AFC Elite Adam Driscoll and I "watch" our kids:

Strava run data

My Cannondale Flash 29'er 1 takes on Michaux

After braving Michaux (its raw out there!  see my previous post) on my Cannondale Flash 29'er 1, its time to chat about it.

I don't hide that I like to trail poach on my cx bike with some rugged 35mm tires.  But if I want to do some real trail riding on the Baltimore County side of Potapsco or in the glorious mountains of Michaux, its time for the Cannondale mountain bike.  It has been fantastic for me over the last 2 seasons.

Lefty fork = awesome
Avid Elixir brakes = awesome
Sram drivetrain = awesome
I upgraded the tires to something beefier.  Bontrager 29-3 Experts.  They have been great.
I also upgraded the wheels to the Stans No Tubes, 340 Arch 29er.  They are sweet!  I recommend getting a Stan's injector for no-mess tubeless action.
I use Crank Brother Candy 3 pedals because I prefer Crank Bros. pedals for cyclocross.  The Candy version seems better for mountain biking.

I bought the bike at Bike Doctor Linthicum.  They are and AFC sponsor.

A little taste of Dark Hollow in Michaux

My Strava Data
Dan Atkins Strava Data

I didn't have time for the 40 miler at Dark Hollow in Michaux.  Decisions.  Do the 20 miler or ride 20 miles of the 40 miler with Dan Atkins?  Easy choice.  I'm a social rider and wasn't looking for a race this weekend anyways.  Ride with Danny it is.
Now the second decision, where do I meet up with him?  Starting with the rest of the field didn't seem right but on top of that, its unlikely I was going to keep up with Danny.  He blasts me on the MTB and really blasts me on a technical course.  Michaux is THE technical MTB trail haven of this area.  Its raw!
I decided to meet up with him at about mile 8.  That should take the edge off of Dan's wicked pace in the single-track.  Also, I have hope because I only need to survive 20 miles.  It's on!

Also, I wanted to try my new video glasses.  These were a cheap buy at the Gander Mountain store in Chambersburg PA.  $42, and you can return them within 30 days.  Had to give them a try.  As you can see from some of the videos, the audio isn't so hot when moving at any kind of speed.  So interviews aren't really doable.  Also the field of vision is less than your own normal field of vision.  I didn't take that into account.  But for $42 I was pretty happy with the results.

Unfortunately Danny got a flat in the first 90 seconds and had change it while the entire field went on.  This put him behind schedule but we met up and headed off together just after the 8 mile mark.  This was a good section to start together, it was gravel roads to chat and catch up.

Video:  I'm still getting used to clip length and knowing when I am recording :)  Also, i'm terribly awkward, hah ;)

As we approached the first single track area I was getting a little nervous.  Dan is an excellent technical rider.  Could I hang with him after he's been racing for an hour?  It turned out I could and I was super happy :)  I got to learn a lot by following him.

When I attack a technical climb I tend to get tense and really mash through rocky/rooty sections.  Dan is much more efficient.  He relies on balance and consistent power and an occasional tree push-off (solid move!).  So this is how he survives 40 miles :)


Video: I crash on a climb and then use the running skills to keep up with Dan.

Video: Hike a bike!

Video: Aid station 2 party.  Check in on the Race Pace guys:

Video: Some "gorgeous" twisty single track:

Tons of fun!

Westside Worlds 07/18/2012

Strava goodness
Unofficially awesome unofficial A ride results

Westside worlds is a chance to remember that I just freaking love biking.  Some times the opportunity to ride hard can be a chore.  WsW says, "Chores are for school boys, lets ride!"
Storms loomed on the horizon in all directions so we had a small group at the start.  Sug, Pat, Shiny Jay, Coop, Dan skinny Miranda, and Tom Schreck didn't get scared away.  Its an all AFC affair today for this unofficial fun-ness.
The pace was honest throughout.  Not gritty, but strong.  I felt decent after a solid 2xrip duathlon this past weekend.  Shweetness.  So I tried to help on the pace.
Going into Race Rd. the rotation kept up almost all the way to the sprint.  AFC guys like to share in the pain.  I caught Sug's wheel and was going pretty deep to hold.  "Should I try to go by?"  I decided to hold the wheel and enjoy a second place.  Snakey Coop had other plans and rocketed by me close to the line.  I needed that.  I was being a panzy and didn't fight around Sug and payed for it.  The effort was good for 3rd so I wasn't crying or anything.
Lawyers and Landing went by without event.
Going down Beechwood THE Jay Lins made his signature fast descent.  He opened a gap up on Sug, Pat, and I.  "Could I catch him on Illy?"  I thought I could but it was going to take some work.
Ilchester time!  Adam and Pat scooted along quickly and caught Jay on the turn into the second hill.  I'm going to guess they let him know that he should keep pressing cause I'm a little ways back.  "Stay cool Lancer", I thought.  "Lancer?".  "Ya, Lancer".  Cool name.
I caught Jay on the second hill section.  He gave me some encouragement that signaled that he had played his card.  I kept pressing and ended up third.
College, New Cut, Hillsborough, was more fun pressing.
Bonnie didn't go crazy.  More strong pulls.  No wild moves.  I wanted the win pretty badly.  Sug was pulling as we entered the sprint zone and I got up next to him.  Pat and Jay Lins were right there.  I decided to get a little wild and long sprint it.  The cranks whirred.  The gap opened, except on Sug.  I knew I was in trouble as we flew past the West's who were cheering us on.  Suggy gonna hurt me.  He won.  Still no complaints here.  And according to Strava I achieved a new max heart rate of 189 (up from 188 on Bonnie previously).  Good for me! ;)
The West's offered beer.  The boring training guy in me said "Hell no!  Beer during WsW?  Ur and idiot."  Mmmmmm, IPA!  Thx West family.  You guys are the best.
More fun times to get to Westchester.  I decided I wanted to get through it ASAP so I just pulled the group into it (lightly) and started my feable attack from the beginning.  Sug and Pat covered it easily and went on their merry way.  Jay Lins caught me and nearly opened a gap but a little life returned to me towards the top and I accelarated to 3rd.
The stoms never came.  The only thing they did was cool the evening off.  Jackpot!
Loved it.

2xrip 2012, AFC comes out in force

2xrip was a blast today.  And AFC is going to raise some awesome money!

The AFC Elite racers of Pat, Adam, Dan Miranda, and I traded punches with the big boys, and came out smiling :)

The day was super humid, but over cast and not too hot.  Pat, Adam, and I got to the race nice and early to get ready for the 7am start.  After the normal checks, all systems were "go".

The pre-race analysis went something like:

Adam (Sug) is the defending champ and course record holder, but Lucas McCullom was signed up and he had beaten both Adam and I at The USAT Long Course Duathlon Age Group National Champs in early June.  Can Sug's insane running and bike fitness overcome Lucas on a hilly/technical course?

Pat used to be quite the multi-athlete.  However in the past few years he has focused on mountain biking and cyclocross.  He had run a little to get ready for this.  Could he summon his running talents of old to make the podium?

I did well here last year (4th).  If you don't count my 2 minute penalty I was the fastest bike leg last year.  Certainly I had run more this year but not as much lately as my attention is leaning towards cyclocross.  Would my fitness from Long course nats carry me to the podium?

Dan Miranda has been tearing it up on the running scene along with Sug and has greatly improved his biking. Would his superior running form and new found bike skills get him to the podium?

"Go!".  The early running pace was strong but nothing too crazy.  Except for a guy in a Virginia Tech skinsuit.  He was really moving.  Dan Miranda was up towards the front.  Adam not too far behind him.  Then Lucas. Then Pat and I.

It was a 2 mile, very hilly loop.  I could tell that I was pushing it a little deep early.  But I wanted to stay close to the front.  By the end of the loop Pat and I were together and a bit off the lead but doing well.

On the bike I felt decent.  Time to catch some of these faster runners.  I didn't have as many people to catch this year because I ran way faster.  But the key was to catch guys and then put gaps between them and me because the second run is twice as long (4 miles) and I need all the cushion I can get ;)

Pat and I rode within site of each other throughout.  If  the pace slacked then one of us would pass the other.  I didn't feel as spunky this year as I did last year but we were definitely moving.  Before the end of the first lap on the 2 loop course we had caught everyone that we were gonna catch.  We had moved into 3rd and 4th position behind Sug and Lucas (but those two were waaaay out of site).  With Sug almost a lock to make the podium we really wanted to get another AFC'r up on the podium with him.

The problem was math.  According to my calculations, we hadn't caught the Virginia Tech fast runner guy until pretty late in the first loop and that meant we were in trouble on the run.  Would we be able to create a big enough gap over lap 2?

The 26 miles flew by fairly quickly.  It seemed like a very long time last year.  Fun will do that.  And mashing the pedals with Pat is just plain fun.  With about 5 miles to go I could see my heart rate dropping despite my near all out effort.  I had used everything.  But I was happy that the "wheels" were starting to come unglued with the finish near.  I had done all I could on the bike.

Based on what I was seeing from Pat, he was not as tanked.  He had been moving consistently through the hills, while I was attacking the hills like an animal.  He was riding smart.

Pat and I came through transition and into the run together.  In a way I was happy.  But I was also dreading the next 4 miles.  Last year had been brutal.  "God I hope this hurts less." ;) 

Pat pressed right away as he always has, consistent and strong.  We knew we were racing for that 3rd podium spot.  We could see that Sug was securely winning the race with at least a 1 minute lead.  Lucas was definitely too far from us to consider chasing.  Who lurked behind?

Just after the 1 mile mark is a turn around.  It was a long downhill.  We wondered aloud what we would see once we turned.  Down the hill.  Sharp 180.  Up the hill.  And then we see him.  The Virginia Tech guy is rolling over the horizon.  He's not very far back.  My heart sank.  Pat gave him a kind "Nice job man!" as we passed one another.  I felt sick.

I tried to rally my innards but my body was in rebellion.  Pat's pace is too much and it's not looking good for either of us holding this guy off despite a sizable (maybe) 30 second lead.  I have to let Pat go and hope he can do it.

A few moments later the Virginia Tech runner comes by me, I can muster a "good job dude!"  This same thing happened to me last year when Adam Forgione passed me.  It kinda sucked but I knew I had to finish off an otherwise great race.

I could watch at various points as Pat's lead shrank.  But there was a time when I thought Pat would get the 3rd place back after being passed.  It was close.

I finished in roughly 1:48.  Definitely better than last year.  I was happy with 5th!  Pat was 4th.  VTech man 3rd.  Go hokies... LOL!

The 2xrip folks did a great job putting on this event.

At the finish I found out that Adam had won and set a new course record by several minutes.  His bike leg was especially impressive at 25+mph.  He did amazingly well.  Pat was 4th, I was 5th and we think Dan was 9th.  Awesome results all around :)

The real winners will be Kupenda for the Children and Extreme Weekend for Diabetes.  2xrip is donating some of it's profits to AFC.  And AFC donates all monies raised to these 2 great causes.  God is good and has blessed us with seeing some fantastic achievements with both ministries!  I can't help but to smile every-time I think about it :)

We race for Him and he's turned our hearts towards them!

My strava output:
First run leg
Bike leg
Second run leg