here we go...

I started this last Sunday night but got lost, more lost. I decided to fire it back up, here we go yo...

Why? What am I thinking? As usual I have post-epic event syndrome, reader's of this site have heard it from me before. Can I keep doing these huge races? The physical aspect is part of it but the mental energy that is required to push through the self-doubting moments is the punisher, it lingers long after the event. Ask me right now...I'm done. Retired from gravel grinding. I can't do it any more. Sure I was happy to finish, but I was never really happy doing it. Miserable at times. Yeah that's part of it, I know give it some time, let the pain diminish & you'll be back. Or will I?

The MWC crew pre-start (minus Falloon)

Around mile 30, this race turned into a survival test for me. Never felt comfortable from mile 30 to my lowest point in the miles leading up to about 130. Crawled into the 1/2 way point (mile 102) in serious doubt if I could continue. I knew the next 60 mile leg would be tailwind, so a push to checkpoint 3 is a good thing right? Actually it was the worst part of the day. All it did was allow me to cook with the sun beating down on me from behind & my core temp was on the rise. At my lowest point, struggling to keep 10 mph with said tailwind I decided the next farmhouse I see I would stop. I wasn't out of water but refilling what I could & trying to cool the system down in some shade was mandatory. Rafal & I had been mostly together since the last checkpoint, he had dropped back a bit, but as I turned into the farm's driveway I could see him coming up the road. He joined me as I smoothed the way with our host. Lois had lived on this land all her life, I guess she was in her 70's somewhere, her mother (who was also there) was 97. Small world moment - her mother's last name is the same as mine, spelled the same as well. Wild. Lois showed us the pump & invited us to stay as long as we liked. Rafal & I laid in the shade in the lawn under the enormous cottonwood trees & both drifted off for a 15 minute nap. I could have stayed there for hours. We probably spent 30 minutes there but during our break clouds started to roll in. Thanks Lois! With new found energy & the clouds shielding us from the direct sun we pushed on feeling alive again. Before long, the cloud cover began to look ominous & we found ourselves running for cover in a shed at a farm. Full on thunderstorm with insane winds. Spent 30 minutes in the shed waiting the storm out with a few other traveler's JT, Dennis Grelk, & Tim Mohn. 15 miles from CP 3, almost there.

An hour or so earlier I was in a very bad way, as we left the shelter I was wet & shaking. The temp had dropped around 30 degrees. The shaking wouldn't last long because some work was about to begin. Less than a mile after seeking shelter we hit the first MMR, post thunderstorm. TI was more clay-like, around here it's really clay-like, but this shit was a sloppy thick goop. Blah, blah, blah muddy b-roads. At the end of the first section a sheriff was camped out with somber news...a 3rd g-narly cell was looming & we were advised to seek shelter. As we discussed the plan his radio crackled with a weather downgrade, we carried on. Not so fast, Rafal's chainring is effed. Farewell my friend, he was forced to call for help. Jim Rank had found us, so it was me JT (from St. Lou) & Jim pushing on to the 3rd. We rolled about 200 yards & my drivetrain seized up! Don't know how, but I must have just stopped pedaling to coast at that point because I didn't tear my rear der off. Here's the culprit, wedged tightly in my lower pulley. Damn, that was close! I took this as a sign...I'd be finishing this event.
CP 3 had our amazing support crew of Matt & Meagen. Unbelievable support, thank you! Meagen said Rafal had called & got his bike going! What! I was hoping he would roll down the road any minute so we could finish this together. He did roll down the road about 15 minutes later but was looking a little rough. He needed some rest, he urged JT & I to carry on...we did. So I said goodbye to him for a 2nd time, bummer. My spirits were high. Gatorade & a banana & I was ready to rock. I had no doubt I would finish at this point, only 40 & change to go. No problem. Put some lights on & JT & I hit the road. Finished a few hours later, around 11 pm.

*short list of some things that made me happy last weekend...

- Traveling with Corey & James, meeting Matt (our support) & all of us finishing

- Seeing lots of old friends & making new ones (JT you were great to ride with)

- my semi-philosophical conversation about life & cycling with Mark Krause Friday evening (no relation) but a great soul, enjoyed our visit

- Spending a big portion of the day riding, napping, & hiding out with Rafal - thanks my friend, I only wish we could have crossed the line together

- having Dennis find us in the shed during the storm, we had seen him fixing a flat (out in the open) right before the storm pounded us, I was worried dude

- having Eki greet me at the finish with a hug, much appreciated & much needed

- here's my ride of the day award...Keith Walberg. I've known Keith for probably 5-6 years, great guy. The silent assassin, he killed it! Road to a 9th in the men's open. Hell yeah! Way to go man!

- I saved the best for last...getting home midday on Sunday & spending the afternoon napping with my wife & dogs

There's more good & more bad (not going into it) but like I said, it was a short list.

One more...a case of Mexican Coke waiting for me at home!

OK, one more...the clematis blooming on our front porch:)
So much more happened but that's it for this episode.

Later, maybe...

TK