Saturday:
12:15 pm - Masters 30+ Cat 3/4 race
Masters is an odd categorization in cycling. I've never quite figured out why it exists. There are already categories, what is the purpose of adding "masters" to the designation? But it seems most riders that are 35+ (Masters 30+ is a random, odd category), 45+, 55+ etc choose to race in their "masters" categories versus racing in their "categories," i.e. 1, 2, 3 and so forth.
Anyway, the race was mostly uneventful. I stayed upright and near the front until about halfway when a wreck on turn one managed to separate the field by about 100 yards. Unfortunately, I was in the group that was separated off the back so had to work quite hard to catch back on, as nobody else seemed to want to close down the gap. I ended up dragging a couple of people with me and was a bit gassed by the time I actually got to the finishing straight. I ended up crossing the line in roughly 8th overall, but due to being lumped together in one mass start with all cats (Masters 30+ 40+ 50+) I actually crossed 3rd Masters 30+. I'm not sure if I get points for that, but it was nice to walk away with a couple of bucks!
2:15 pm - Cat 3/4 Race
This race was MUCH sketchier. In fact, I took a video of the entire race from the front end of my bike. But, because I am a kind and caring video-maker I will not subject you to an incredibly boring 40+ minute video (which seem to populate the internet these days). I pared it down to the last 2 laps as that is when most of the interesting stuff happens.
High Point Final Laps from James Haycraft on Vimeo.
The average age of this race was much lower, which - I think anyway - is what mainly contributed to the sketchiness. A buddy was recently discussing bike racing in general and what it is to be younger (i.e. 18-24) vs "older" (30+). Generally the older crowd has to get up and go to work on Monday (and earn a paycheck). They don't want to wreck. They'll choose safety over 11th place in a field sprint (generally). The younger crowd, however, don't really care. Sprinting it out for 13th place matters more than waking up and going to work on Monday morning. Usually because they don't have to go to work on Monday. They go to school.
I say this from experience, knowing that's the way I used to race. Not a bad thing, per se, just a different thing.
There was a near wreck in the last straight so I sat up and crossed the line. No interest here in contesting a sprint for 20th place...
Sunday:
Lake Davidson Sprint Tri
Swim 500 yards, Bike ~13 miles, Run 5k
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| Great pictures from the event! |
There isn't a whole lot to say about this race (plus, it was over a week ago at this point) other than Derek kicked my a**. He bolted on the swim, rode incredibly well on the bike and pulverized the run. I was somewhere behind lagging around when I realized Ross was actually catching me quite handily mid-way through the run. I decided to try and egg him on and make him work hard for the finish. He closed the gap until in the last 100 yards he was only a second or two behind. Across the line I stuck out my left foot (with timing strap on) to narrowly edge him out, congratulated him and promptly barfed all over a tree. Three times.
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| The equivalent of throwing your bike |
The following week contained several important things:
1) Rode for the first time with Bobby, who is a fantastic mountain biker, at the WWC with John and JZCapTri. It was quite fun learning some new lines and watching someone much better than me demolish the trails. I love riding fast and improving my skills and the day proved to be a fast one, with lots of PR's set (via strava)
2) Running
3) Getting back into a swim routine that isn't pathetic so I don't embarrass myself too much in Miami
All in all it's been a good couple of weeks. Trying to get back to being consistent and string together some nice weeks in the lead-up to Miami!
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