After 3 prior attempts at brilliance, this year I decided to just go for the minimalist approach with no expectations and in the end I couldn't be more happy with the results.

Back of the pack right from the start line I found myself exactly where I wanted to be. After early season over training on the running side, I did virtually no running in the month+ lead up to the Challenge so there was no way I was going to go out too hard on the first run, even if that marathoning Richer taunted me a little to do so. I so wanted to stay with you Lori, but I'm real glad I didn't and did you see her trail run, WOW, that was impressive.

Transitioning to mountain bike I found myself in absolutely no hurry, despite this being my favorite event. Having felt a bit pinchy in the calf's prior to completing the first run it only reinforced the need to hydrate and gu before, during, and after the mountain bike. Once on the bike a steady moderate effort through the climb until Whip & Spur, when I got passed for the first time on the mtb, it jazzed me up a bit, sure that was an expert seasoned racer, but maybe I was taking it just a little too easy. No way was I going to let that happen again if I could help it so I kicked it up a notch. Having passed several people myself on the mtb I was now starting to catch up to heavier traffic. I passed a bunch of people on Whip & Spur, 2 more hammer down on last pitch before Watkins Way 2 people on the first climb of Watkins Way, 2 more before the ladder bridge, 1 more before Summer, after last grunt up Fern Alley I knew the rest of the mtb course was mine. I cranked by 1 more just before the yellow brick road on Pine Link and 1 just after leaving most of the new section of Eastside all mine. Once I got to the last downhill section of Eastside (the old section), unfortunately I ran into heavy traffic again, definitely lost a bunch of time on the downhill trying to pass. Leaving Eastside I finally had a green light again and was clear for takeoff, hammer down till I left Snake Alley, where I hear that dreaded tire passing sound, AGAIN, as I see Brian Currier go by on the short climb to Tower Circle. What the H..., Brian, are my eyes deceiving me, simply baffled as to how that scenario unfolded as I know I didn't pass him and surely he started the mtb ahead of me. I let that one slide as clearly I'm delirious. I pass one more just before the bridge on Forest and 1 on the cut through to South Boundary and that is the last mtber I see.

Being reasonably happy with my mtb, especially with the remembering to drink part, I found my transition to road bike a pleasant one for a change. Last 2 years I've cramped up as soon as I hit the road bike but not this year, this was a major boost to confidence, that and consistently seeing my speed over 20 mph on the road (despite a slight head wind) I was starting to believe this year was going to be my favorite performance yet. It only took 1 guy to pass me, to reinforce the need to keep the pressure on. Turning to Loverin Hill I was not looking forward to the next 3/4 mile. Quickly down to granny gear, I just kept the spin on and the head down. It's funny how quickly a positive outlook can vanish on a climb. Thank god that is over, now the fun part down and onto my favorite part of the road ride. Turning onto Croydon Turnpike I take it down a notch and begin a planned re hydration and refueling and completed that just in time for the fast descent. Cranking at a steadily fast pace coming back I am once again happy, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt this is my best road bike performance in this race.

Entering my last transition, it's pretty hard to keep morale high knowing what lies ahead on the trail run. I say things to myself like, "dude take your time... you know what's coming ... yeah I know what's coming... maybe I should double knot my running shoes, that's at least a couple more seconds... yeah that's it... darn, I'm ready, now I have to go finish this thing". As I'm heading out of the transition area I say to PJ, "do I really have to?" He knew just what to say, "no, you don't have to, you can quit if you want to",... "WHAT!!!" I think to myself, "Start running you lazy SOB, of course you have to finish this thing!" And off I go (thank you PJ for always knowing what to say to get me fired UP). I'm not fast but as Dan pointed out later on the approach to Big Rock, I was smooth today. Thank you Dan. As I progress up the next 1.5 mile climb I am constantly reinforcing to myself, "stay smooth, smooth is fast, smooth is efficient" I'm not fast and god knows I don't have any energy to spare at this point so I try to stay as "smooth" as possible and as all the experts say, "Don't waste your energy trying to run the ski jump stairs or the steep part of Big Rock", and that's all the excuse I need to walk them. At this point in the race it's easy not to see too many people as they are spread out pretty good by now and this race is no exception. I see very few people on the run. I think I might have been passed by 1 on the run but one of the most satisfying parts of the race for me was passing that team that had passed me on the mtb on Whip & Spur, near the end of the run and hearing words of encouragement from them as I went by.

No sooner had I crossed the finish line and my legs completely seized up on me, and in that moment I knew I had done the best I could have hoped for that day, and I was happy!

It was absolutely fantastic to have so many locals out volunteering, participating, and cheering me on. Your words of encouragement did not go unnoticed, even if it appeared that way, [b:b02b5de173]THANK YOU![/b:b02b5de173]

Ryan