Afton watermelon

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first comp race without a flat tire last Sunday. didn't get a warm up in at all so i decided to make the first lap my warm up.

we pulled up pretty much as the kids racing was starting. got Henry and Wyatt registered and Wyatt was running to the starting chute with me. he kept saying, "lets go daddy... i go fast... let's go... here we go daddy". it was hilarious. he gets his scowl on and tilts his head down and starts running and doing this intense breathing thing. he has the best game face ever. i hope i get some video of that sometime.

we took off with me pushing Wyatt's tricycle and we were getting toasted by all the strider bikes. Wyatt just kept looking around and steering into people. he thought it was a crash derby. about halfway through he started his self-talk again. "i go fast" and "i'm going to win". i was impressed with his positivity on winning considering he said it while looking at about 10 other 3 year olds in front of him. i'm going to make him my sports psychologist.

got back to the finish with Wyatt and took off with Henry in the 5 and older race. he did great. he also likes to people watch while he races like his little brother. got back after 1 lap to find out it was 2 laps. our first DQ... special day.

after the kids race it was time to stage the experts and comp. i went off in my own wave this time. that works well. i rode out pretty conservative planning on the first lap being my warm up. weather was about perfect and that made the course seem easier this year. got near the peak and someone told me i was 2 minutes off the leader. told myself maybe i am doing this a little TOO conservative. wondered how much of that 2 minutes i could chip away at in the next 2 laps.

passed H and W with water at the bottom and told them i would get a new bottle at the next lap. 2nd lap felt great and i turned it up a bit. made quite a few passes including a very fun one in front of a great crowd on the wide path heading up to the peak. the crowd cheered and rang cowbells for the pass. good times.

came down off the peak and got a new bottle from H. went into lap 3 feeling good. took a gel and that kicked in very well. i did get a small cramp after slowing down for a rider in front of me on a rocky section. first cramp in a regular race ever and i chalked that up to the extra lap. got rid of that and heard riders behind me. took that and decided not to be an easy pass if i'm going to get passed. they never got me and i got a couple others. saw someone in red that i was probably about 15 to 20 seconds behind that looked strong and decided to try to get him. never totally got him but had fun trying.

came down from the peak one last time. the 3 laps was a lot of fun. i think comp is going to be all right. 6th in my division. about a minute off of 3rd place. feels like i should see the podium at some point this year and a win may be possible.

Wyatt ran over to me as i finished and said, "i want watermelon!!". that kid knows how to live.

Comments

JoshRLC said…
He was congratulating the boys! ;0)

It must feel good to get that first one under your belt. I know you'll be at the front of the pack before long!
June 12, 2010 at 6:00 PM
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