FORD #1, 2009

Last year around this time I did pretty well @ the Fredericksburg Off Road Duath (FORD) #1, pulling a 2nd place behind ShawnT. This year was a tad different. Bigger field. Wetter course (thats a huge understatement). Tough competition. 2.8 mile run #1 started in the rain. The course, especially some new stuff, was slick as snot. I ran OK. Moderate pace ket me in the top 12 or so runners. After a quick pit, I was off on the bike. I rolled 3/4 of the ~10 mile lap behind DaveT in 34x19, which was not the best mud gear. The Jones ACX tire in the rear bit well for the most part, but I was forced off the bike on many slick hills. Eventually, though, I hit some nice terrain, settled in and starting moving along, passing many folk. I rolled into the pit very near DaveT and a singlespeeder out of DC named Steve. We were in the 3,4, and 5 spots by now, I'm pretty sure.

I got out of the pit first, but Steve quickly sucked me up and passed. I decided at that point I was going to hold on to him as long as I could, and that was challenging. If I had not had him as a pace car, I definately would have eased up. Once we left the woods, I decided to kick, but I broke too soon, had to ease up, he passed, and made his break. I was beat, but I dug down and stayed on his heals. Once I could see the finish, I let it all go. I passed him and took the 3 spot. ~2 minutes off 1st. Not bad.

Data: 36 minutes greater or equal to 182bpm. Another 36 minutes between 176 ans 181. Nuts. Avg 178bpm. Max 196. Wow.

Thanks to Konrad aka FRED Events for another great race. He'll get some grief for holding the event in those conditions, and the trails did take a little beating, but he had a tough call to make, and when he made the call, things were on the up and up. He and a few others will be out there doing what they can to make it right, and I applaud them for it.