Newton's Revenge report - nice weather...

[Len_E]

Great weather ... for Mt. Washington. Race started (8:40am) in 65ish degree sunny conditions and very little wind. As we climbed so did the temperture and by the time we got above the timberline it was really warm. At the top, completely cloud encased, I couldn't see the rider 10 yards in front of me, the temp was in the low 50s and the wind was in my face at 25 mph. Pretty good for where I was.
The heat was easily ignored due to the utter misery in my legs and lungs. It took me two years to forget the wretchedness of this race. In my training I my memory focused on those few moments when I felt good, one of which, surprisingly, was the last several meters of 22 percent grade. This caused my to think, "how bad could it be if I felt good at the end?"
It's bad. Really bad.
I forgot about the tedium of pedaling uphill at 5 or 7 miles an hour, turning corners and seeing more and more up, and never, ever finding a moment of recovery from the last horrific incline which sent my heart rate into yet another redzone battle. There is no point where cannot pedal
Then you hit the dirt during the 4th mile. I had heard that most of the dirt spots were paved this year. HA! There is at least 1/2 a mile, maybe more (my computer broke in the first mile and I was without any gauge for the whole ride) of dirt. You want to get out of your saddle but you know that you will lose precious momentum when you skid.
Then the really bad switchbacks hit. Do I get inside and shorten the distance but face a grade on a corner that only the most delusional give attention to? Or do I swing wide, as advised a few spectators and photographers, and limit the steepness?
While you want only to survive and finish, no matter how much you've trained, you realize it's a race and that if you just suck it up and pretend the pain is false, you can beat that guy in front of you. There is no moment where you aren't conflicted.
Outcome - far better than I felt throughout the race although I vomited a couple seconds after crossing the line.
I wanted to better my time from two years ago (1h 15m) and I did - 1h 9m 15s. This was good enough for 7th overall and 1st in my age group (45-50).

I won't do this race again. Although I said that last time.
-Len

[ahamilton]

Len, that's an awesome time!!! And puking immediately after finishing shows you gave it everything you had. Unbelievable!

[scott_sweeney]

Amazing work--and thanks for reminding me why I don't want to try this.....

[Cort Cramer]

Len,

Congrats! That is a crazy fast time. Impressive.

C

[scottb]

Len,
Congratulations on a spectacular time! You are a climbing ANIMAL, but that is not a secret...
Sounds like Kimballs' idea of FUN. Take him along with you next time

[Jorge]

Felicitaciones Len, very impressive time, plus a great improvement. Proof that old guys can get better Does this mean you are eagerly looking to shear some legs at Climb to the Clouds?

[michaelcole]

That's an amazing time!! Congrats.

If you had a little ring for some of the steeper sections, maybe you could shave off a few more seconds.

It must have been brutal with just a 53 up front, or did you install a 39 for the race?

[Len_E]

Huffy 10-speed with the extra-cushioned seat.
Actually, I put on a 22 crank. But the 53 would have worked well if the wind wasn't so bad. I heard that place was a bit windy.

[Smudger]

Don't feel so bad about you dropping me at the top of every hill we've ridden together any more. You are a BEAST.

Well done. Fantastic result.

Smudger.