Good Result, Bad Race

Bay State 2008 – Sterling, MA. Great cross race as part of the New England Verge Series. Pretty cold morning, but sunny which meant the ground was frozen but would warm up. And, as it warmed up it would get sloppy. And as it got sloppy, things would get dicey. I was in the second race of the day – Cat 3/4 35+. I was figuring this would be my last race as a Cat 3, so I wanted to do something with my first row line up. I was able to put up some kind of fight, be with the lead group, be as high as second, then slip back to fifth. After separating out the 35+ from the 45+, I ended up third in my race (just behind teammate Rich Person). Good result, but should have/could have been better. Too many little mistakes that compiled to take time away that was vital. Plus, we lost a lap due to a bad injury at the start of the 55+ race just in front of us. Needed a couple of ambulances to clean up things. Luckily people kept all their pieces. So, on the plus side I got third, had a pretty decent start, and worked hard.  On the negative side, made mistakes (again) that might have cost me some places.

The course was as expected, with some new twists and turns.  Overall, Tom Stevens and Spin Arts/Gear Works do a bang-up job.  Hard to complain too much when you have sunshine, cold temps, and about thirty or forty teammates racing throughout the day, with a lot of success.  Many new triathletes join the party in the Cat 4 race.  The women’s team continues to dominate in the 3/4 field.  The Gougen family was in as usual.  A good time was had by all (except the guy in the ambulance).  Todd, Rob, and Mike all have great photo galleries of the race.

Now, onward and upward to the next race – NBX weekend in Rhode Island.  I’m in for the 1/2/3 35+ and 2/3 races on Saturday and Sunday (respectively).  No podiums here.  These guys are lightening fast.  I just want to have a good race and finish in a respectable position.  It would be ideal to be in a position to score some Verge points in the 2/3 race, but that would require a lot.  The legs are feeling okay, but it has been a long season of racing and training.

Also going to be in for Ice Weasels in Wrentham. New race and too close to pass up.  Looking to do the 1/2/3 35+ race that is 1 hour long.  Ouch.  That’s going to leave a mark.  Might do Natz Schmatz as well just for kicks.  Been meaning to get down to Dayville to check that out.  We’ll see what’s happening with the family and maybe make a game day decision.  Soon enough, I’ll be running 20+ miles on Sunday mornings getting ready for Boston and Lake Placid.  Today though, I slept in, had breakfast with the family, and put in new facets in the kitchen.  I love days off.