Long over due update-Part 1-Salty Dog

Well it seems that I have not posted for a month now. Bad Jeff Bad.

Let's start with the Salty Dog. the "little" grass roots race had 400 people!!!and a competitive field. More and more people are enjoying this early season event to help tune skills and get a taste of summer.

Tons of Terrascapers were there along with the Goats, and Schmoos. Always good company. Craig Bartlett and a large Canmore following were there too.

As usual the start was fast for a 6 hour enduro. I paced beside/behind Brian Cooke, last years winner, to get a good position into the single track. It seemed that the longer road and pace made for a selection up front that would continue throughout the race. I was riding with Ryan Draper, Ron Ellis, and Leighton Podievin. Brian kept the pace high and was out of sight after 2 laps. It is interesting to note how close you can be to people in skill, and fitness. I have talked to Ron and he was feeling good and passed me. Later, I was feeling good and passed him back. After 6 hours it comes down to minutes.

I was riding in the top 3 and found myself in second going into lap 8 of 9. Right at the tight uphill switch back i glanced over my shoulder to find Leighton coming on strong. I had not seen him in a while and thought that he had faded. We rode together up the double track climb and discussed some things. He informed me we were away by a bit and that Brian was 10 minutes in front. We knew we might have time for a 10th lap but it would be tight. We made a gentlemens' agreement that we would settle things on lap 9. So it looked like a battle for second. I thought I was strong on the road but Leighton started to turn up the screws. He gapped me on the down hill and went hard on the second road climb. i did not see him in the feed and thought I was relegated to third. i kept up the pace though and I saw him again in the same spot he caught me.

Thoughts on Thoughts: Always race to the finish line.

It was 5 hours into the race and I did not think I had enough in the tank to race Leighton for second. We rode together on the road climb and I took my turn for the pull just as the hill got steeper and turned left. I attacked. i don't know how but i did. I didn't shift down, I didn't look back, I went face forward at high threshold until the top. I had put about 45 seconds into him before the downhill.

I kept saying in my head "smooth is fast, get to the road". I did. I kept the pace up again and did not look back until the top. i could not see him. I was 4 minutes from the finish and 45 seconds would be near impossible for Leighton to make up. Just don't crash!! i was a little tentative and gave up some time but rolled through the finish line in second.

I had enough food and water to go for another lap and we would have to throw down a comparable 10th lap by 90 seconds. Doable?? Probably, but as Leighton came through the finish line. I yelled back to him "Done?" and "Done!" was his reply.

At the awards i had been duped. Leighton had turned 40 and won his category. We were only competing for the overall. After almost 6 hours of riding we got to battle recover, and battle again. That is why I like racing.

Thought- Enjoy the race within the race. I was able to race and battle for second place but I have also had some of the most intense battles for 7th. Race day is the one day that everyone, without saying it, says " I am here to give it my best". It is not the placing but the effort that defines the day.