OK, so it has been awhile. Sorry. The back is better. I have also been through a bout of patellofemoral pain syndrome that I seem to have kicked by running. Weird. Three cheers for a balanced quadricep!

Hilbert 1 got delayed, so OHill was the 1st race of the season. I took 2nd in SS. A fine day in the mud it was. Next was BRS. Bloody hard course. 1st of 2 in SS, but it was a good fight. And then came the delayed, much anticipated (by me) return to Hilbert. Expectations were high, but I haven't put in that many base miles, so I wasn't sure how it would play out.

I went into the woods 5th in Enduro on my new (to me) Mocha Rig in 34x20. Before the lap was over, I moved into 3rd. I caught up to ShawnT in 2nd on lap 2, but then he decided to attack the lead man, and he disappeared. After lap 2, I swapped Rigs and went out on the new Root Beer in 34x21. It was a nice change of pace, but between the easier gear and lack of energy, I ended up slowing down quite a bit. At some point in those middle laps, DaveK blew by on the rigid SS Fisher Ferrous like I was standing still. Getting back on the Mocha Rig in 34x20 on lap 6 felt good. Hard at first, but I was able to settle in and get back on top of the gear. I picked up the pace on lap 7 and turned a respectable time in comparison to what the top three guys were doing.

Starting lap 8, I figured eight would be enough. I knew I could come in and do 9, but I was hoping that no one was close enough to threaten. I laid down a pretty slow time, as I was sorta trying to run out the clock. What I didn't know was that the guy from PA in 3rd had come in and decided to be done w/ 8 as well. I had assumed he was out fighting on lap 9. Had I known he had pitted for good, I would have blown through and had a race on my hands, assuming he mounted up and came after me. I felt pretty good, and my late inning times were on par or better than his. Argh. 3rd was in reach, but 4th will have to do this time.

Course was great. Competition was great. The Rigs held up great. All and all, given my lack of base miles these past few months, I'm pleased. At some point, I may actually have to get off my arse and do 9 laps at Hilbert. We'll see.

I have new and exciting plans for Lodi. More on that later.