Iceman Cometh 2011

Well, my goal was under 2 hours, but wasn't close: 2:08.   I thought I would have it but started slowing near the end and really slowed down the last mile.  The last mile is all single track and one big climb (wood chip), thus it's a slower section for everyone.  My weakness has always been tight single track and once again it shows.   Looking at the times of the other races, it's just amazing how fast they are.  Especially the top three in my category.  They just tore it up.  This really shows me how different the demands of mountain bike racing are compared to triathlon bike racing.  In triathlons, I usually finish in the top percentile, but not even sniffing that in mountain bike racing.

Looking at my HR data, I think I can identify my main limiter as muscular endurance.  My max HR was only 163 and my average was only 150.  Very low for me.  If my limiter was anaerobic, my HR data would be much higher.  Climbing use to be my strength, especially at the top of climbs.  I use to do a quick attack at the top while others recovered.  During Iceman I did find myself catching people on climbs, but at the top there was definitely no attacking.  My legs were on fire.  I think this is a by-product of triathlon bike racing.

The good news is that I did not walk any hills nor did I have any cramps.  I felt like I was going to puke around 10 miles, but that feeling went away.  I had a lot of anxiety before the night before the race and at the beginning.  That's unusual for me , especially for a mountain bike race.  I slept all of three hours the night before.  That happens a lot before triathlons, but I'm thinking about three different sports, nutrition for each, transition, swimming, etc.  The iceman anxiety the night before and day of race really upset my stomach.

The bad news on the bike started Thursday afternoon.  I was cleaning my bike so it was nice and shiny when I noticed my crank didn't turn very good.  A lot of resistance.  I narrowed it down to bad bearings on the non-drive side BB.  Being a press-fit, nothing I could do to fix it.  It handled well but started to make some noises near the end of the race.

The second issue happened about five miles in.  I went to grab my back brakes and nothing happened. turns out a pad came loose.  Never had that happen before.  Thankfully the Iceman course isn't one that requires a lot of back braking.

Another thing I really need to change on my bike is my Renegade tires.  I just have zero confidence in them.  I know so many people that tear it up with these tires, but I just can't get that confidence level, especially in turns.  The front tire slides easily, which could be my technique, PSI or whatever.  It's definitely my issue and not the tires.