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The frustration continues…

I will begin this post with a declaration of my love for this sport. I am, without a doubt still having fun. Why the oddly out of place announcement? Because if I’d said this after my post you wouldn’t believe me.

I showed up early enough to ride the course and get warmed up, however fate would once again wield it’s undesirable power to screw things up. I was practicing one particular corner when I noticed my rear tire was flat. Again!? Flabbergasted, I figured I’d screwed the valve up when releasing some air. 30 minutes later after running around looking for pumps, tools and a miracle, I was back at the car grabbing my spare wheels. (Things have gotten so bad for me that I now bring two bike AND a spare set of wheels)

At the start I was cold and not very warmed up. Taking off I did not feel very spunky and lost some ground. I can’t explain my apathy. My wife says she thinks it’s a combination of me working too much and all my technical problems that is slowly sapping all my enthusiasm. I know I can do better and the continual disappointing placements might be having an effect on my desire to push those boundaries. At the end of each race I’m not coughing, I’m barely tired and that is a clear indicator of not trying.

The worst of it all is the fall. Not on the mud, not on the grass, not even on the gravel…instead I decide to fall on the pavement. I was leading a group that I had just passed so I was probably pushing too hard. My front wheel when out and I went down. Right hand first, forearm, then the shoulder. I can still feel the absorption of the impact. Nothing broke but the I have some glorious road rash in 4 places. (The knee is the worst)

I finished the race feeling kind of cool with my bloody knee. When done I sheepishly tried to cut into the bike wash line to rinse the horse poo out of my open wound. Someone calmly pointed me to the first aid tent. Duh.

This was my first time with the first aid. The looked at me and without a word started getting the sponges and bandages out. The cleaning and scrubbing hurt but I was still numb from the race. I was very thankful and they did an awesome job.

So lets summarize, flat tire, back half of the pack, road rash…can’t wait till next week.

I’m just thankful that my team still finds it in their hart to cheer for me when I pass.