The last 10 days or so all seems to blur together: Whiskey Off Road Sunday, calculus final Monday, physics final Tuesday, packing & starting the drive to Soldier Hollow Wednesday, exploring Zion Thursday, pre-riding Friday, short track Saturday, and the grand finale being the cross country race on Sunday. April and May always seems to be the most jam packed months in the cycling season, but I am certainly not complaining : ) Zion National ParkI first traveled to Zion a couple of years ago, and have been itching to get back since then. In a nutshell, Zion reminds me of a greener Grand Canyon National Park, except you travel through the canyon instead of to it. Ferns and moss coat the canyon walls, and water is much more abundant than in the surrounding desert. While I still have the Angel's Landing hike on my bucket list, It was great to revisit such a landscape. Other highlights of the travel Included Bridal Vail Falls, a free upgraded room at our hotel, and the mandatory cookie stop at Jacob's Lake. (If you have been then you know). Short TrackShort track has been a battle for me since the very first one I took part in back in 2016. I normally feel like my tactics do not play out the way I want them to, or I spend to much time in the front early in the race. One of the exceptions to this was at this same race last year, where I was able to work with Caleb Swartz to secure a 1-2 finish. This course is one of my favorites, and I was hoping for more of the same.
The second lap went by, and many riders were still charging through to the front of the race. I sat back in my spot and watched. My heart rate was in the 170's (high but not too high) and I felt comfortable with my distance to leaders. Each lap I would take note on where the pace slowed up, and it seemed to be the turn after the double track grass descent. 10 minutes into the race, I felt noticeably fresher than in either of my previous short track races. With three laps to go, I was able to sling shot my way to the front, right before the top of the climb, and attack into the downhill! At this point I was either going to make it to the finish, or blow up trying. I went all in, and managed to turn the fastest lap of the day. With One to go I was able to find a little extra spark, and make the break all the way to the finish, my first ever Short track win! Cross CountryI had been waiting for this race for a while. After a tight battle last year with a wicked fast Kevin Vermearke, I felt that I could really have a great race on this course. When the whistle sounded I made great contact with my pedal, and was up and off to the races; but, as I started pedaling I could tell that my cleat had not quite engaged. Looking back, I should have just kept charging, but instead I tried to keep pushing the shoe into the pedal. Still yet to feel that desperately needed click into the pedal, I was starting to fall back in the field. Tangled in a jungle of handlebars and elbows, and fighting hard to make up spots, I stayed calm and focused on passing where I could.
Coming into the last lap, I knew that the win was out of reach, and focused on maintaining the spot I was in. I backed off the pace, as I was leading and needed to conserve energy, and had not been able to drop Quinn on any previous laps. I entered the finish chute, and hesitated. I should have attacked as soon as I was on the pavement, but instead waited just long enough that Quinn was able to get a good jump. I tried to get back around him, but wasn't able to do so as we approached the line. While there was certainly room for improvement, I was happy with my effort and fitness, and feel that I am on the right track! Thanks to Bear Development for the continuous support this weekend, from housing to the feed zone and everything in between! Another big Thank you to Julien Petit for making sure my bike was in perfect working order, and to my Mom and Brother for such an awesome trip! Excited for the next one ! : ) More to come soon ...
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