36.30 mi in 01:15:00 hours at 29.04 mi/h. [Cycling] Men's Division I Criterium at the national championships. 75 minute crit with a stop 10 minutes in to wait for a crash to get cleared off the course. Got a good warm up in and felt pretty good for the first 20 minutes. Then went into some serious pain for the next 20 minutes. Then felt good until 15 minutes to go...at which point I nearly popped trying to move up in the huge field of 120 riders. Must have been near 60th or 70th with 7 laps to go, made it all the way into the top 40 with 2 laps to go and maintained this position until 1 to go, kept moving up,avoided a massive crash at the start of the last lap and then another one midway through the last lap. The pace was insane at this point, and position was locked going into final corner around 30th. Sprinted with whatever I had left but it didn't feel like much....got 24th though! Again very excited with my results for the weekend as I had no idea what to expect. My two days of work got me 19th overall in the individual omnium classification. Very satisfied. Heidi did very well too all weekend! what a sexy talented girl.
60.20 mi in 02:33:00 hours at 23.61 mi/h on Orbea Opal. [Cycling] My 22nd birthday and 2008 Collegiate Cycling Road National Championships!! The biggest race of my life...Division I Men left at 11 am. Freezing cold (mid 50s) and very very windy (30 mph gusts) I could write a book for this entry but a few short sentences will suffice. They shortened the race from 70 to 60 miles after receiving word that a snowstorm could move in. The race began with incredible intensity and the first climb came less than a mile in. Almost got dropped on it, but surged over the top to close into the back of the main group up. Maybe 50 out of 150 starters made this initial selection, and then a break formed a few miles into the start of the flat circuit section. 7 rider break, with two guys from wccc. All chasing riders reached our chase group with less than 15 miles to go. Then final 2 climbs busted this group up once again into a 40 man finish. Bunch sprint, went a bit too late and ended up 20th overall!! woo, can't wait til next year. Hardest extended effort of my life...
22.22 mi. [Cycling] Day before the biggest day ever. Previewed the RR course with fred. Early afternoon ride...hills look steep and numerous...should be great! windy and warm
