177: in my head too much.

typical Weds morning, toaster loaded for cross practice.

Diane and I have decided to stay local this season, as such we’ll be hitting the mabra race Saturday. I had a pretty awful race here last year, and I hope to erase that memory. Result didn't look bad on paper, but the race was a total struggle. Truth is last season I was breaking one of my golden racing rules, which is never chase points. After a nice ride at Lilypons last year I had moved into 3rd place, and I felt like I was ready to make a full on assault at the 3-4 jersey. Well, after getting pimped in the first corner by Fife, a good move I add, and laying it down in the second corner, I watched as Todd roll away from the field, and set himself up for a great title run.

this picture of Mark and son is just too cute.

As Slick Rik as said to me 100x, “if you have fun, the points will come”. Chasing points becomes a huge stress for me. Over the years I have done it a couple of times, and frankly it just takes the joy out of racing for me. Which is just plain silly, and defeats the purpose of something I do for fun.

On the line last year they told us that we would be doing 11 laps, so after 3 down, when I went through the start finish and saw 11 to go on the lap card, I died a little inside. Actually I died a lot. It was really a tough day for me. Tactically I was retarded. And I left that race feeling pretty heavy hearted. I spent the entire AVC race dragging my boy Jared around just long enough for him to jump he at the end of the race. It was a good move, I was just stupid.

A week later, after I crashed into a tree at Iron Cross and pulled out of the race, I effectively ended me from any points chase, and I was pretty much done with the points.

Worst of all, on the way home from Hagerstown we stopped at Taco Bell. FortJames, Monkey, and I had fartapalooza the entire ride home. My stomach felt so sick. I think that was the last time I have eaten Taco Bell. YUCK !

Last year Hagerstown wasn’t a great course for me last year, I hope it will be better this year. Regardless, it’ll be a fun race and I’m looking forward to getting back to it. Chris has been working me hard in preparation for the Mac Season. Luckily, Ray Ray didn’t show to Reston last year, so I got a 10th place finish which should put me on the front row for Granogue in a few weeks. That will be by far my best starting position there ever.

Fish tacos tonight were awesome tonight. Had a couple of final thoughts about last weekend:

dcc of d Fish Taco Fan Club.

Saturday during the 1-2-3 race, Wade took a beer feed, carried it for a full lap, made it over the dirt mound, through the barriers, and around the lap. That was the real story of the day, and the lasting impression from the weekend. Freaking Amazing, that guy is my hero.

Sunday, as Wes and Jeramiah went at it, early in the race, the crowd around the pits was pretty much 50/50 for Wes and JB. Now don't get me wrong JB is a super cool guy, very nice, drank a beer with the kid once. I cheer for him, look for his results in national races. East Coast Unite.

But I dropped this jewel on the crowd, "come on folks, I like JB but how can you cheer for him over Wes? I mean you know what JB is gonna do tomorrow? he's gonna sleep in, get up at 10:00, sit on his couch, drink a cup of joe, and when he's good and ready go out for a nice recovery ride. Do you know what Wes is gonna do? He's gonna get up early and go to work, and then climb up and down a ladder all day. He's a working Joe like us." The next lap the crowd was decidedly pro-Wes. Sorry JB.

that's all for tonight.

here's a picture of me fighting for 3rd. Nice Shot Jon, thanks.

Viva la cyclocross.


respect.
faticus