Josh and Mike - Post RideRain had been falling steadily for nearly 24 hours when the clown car headed for Garden Prairie for a 40K TT, the final event in the Mid America Time Trial Series. Josh and Mike were sitting untouchably 1st in the 50+ and 40+ masters categories and held 1st and 2nd in P1/2 going into today's TT. I was feeling good after a hard week of training and a day of rest - and hoping that the rain would slow a bit before start time. There had been significant flooding throughout the area so there was a legitimate possibility that parts of the course would be affected. Fortunately, that turned out to not be the case.
I found myself sitting in the car as the rain cascaded down the windshield without any motivation to get on the bike - I was not 'feeling the love. 'I've raced in the rain plenty and it doesn't bother me in the least, especially not for a time trial. Something was missing today - odd too, because up until the very moment that I decided to bail I was in a good mental groove and ready to hit it hard.
I think maybe I'm really just ready for a racing break. Don't misunderstand - I LOVE to race the bike and don't want to stop training hard, riding my ass off, getting stronger. It's just time for me to step back from the anxiety for a little while and race because I want to, not because I feel compelled to. What does that mean for cyclocross? Not totally committed either way, really. It'd be hard to blow it off entirely so who knows? I might show up for a race or two or three....
So my sorry, wet ass waited for Josh and Mike to come back in after their rides and tell me all about what I missed. Josh rolled back first with Mike not too far behind. The were both thoroughly soaked and actually had a very good day on the bike. In the end, Mike had the fastest time on the day and earned 1st place in the Pro1/2 category for the series. Josh was right behind with the second best time on the day and 2nd in the series. So impressive - I can't tell you how happy I am for both of them. Way to go guys - you are my heroes.
The latest playlist included some Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, more Kings of Leon, Dead Can Dance (The Ubiquitous Dr. Lovegroove), more 22-20s, The Les Claypool Frog Brigade, Boy Kill Boy and some Elvis Costello, just for kicks. In print I've started 'Breakfast of Champions' by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. so far, so good...
To close I want to wish my parents a very happy 39th Anniversary. Mom and Dad, thanks for everything.
I think maybe I'm really just ready for a racing break. Don't misunderstand - I LOVE to race the bike and don't want to stop training hard, riding my ass off, getting stronger. It's just time for me to step back from the anxiety for a little while and race because I want to, not because I feel compelled to. What does that mean for cyclocross? Not totally committed either way, really. It'd be hard to blow it off entirely so who knows? I might show up for a race or two or three....
So my sorry, wet ass waited for Josh and Mike to come back in after their rides and tell me all about what I missed. Josh rolled back first with Mike not too far behind. The were both thoroughly soaked and actually had a very good day on the bike. In the end, Mike had the fastest time on the day and earned 1st place in the Pro1/2 category for the series. Josh was right behind with the second best time on the day and 2nd in the series. So impressive - I can't tell you how happy I am for both of them. Way to go guys - you are my heroes.
The latest playlist included some Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, more Kings of Leon, Dead Can Dance (The Ubiquitous Dr. Lovegroove), more 22-20s, The Les Claypool Frog Brigade, Boy Kill Boy and some Elvis Costello, just for kicks. In print I've started 'Breakfast of Champions' by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. so far, so good...
To close I want to wish my parents a very happy 39th Anniversary. Mom and Dad, thanks for everything.
