I raced the Sooke Classic RR on Vancouver Island May 29. This was BC championships so the CAT1,2 & 3 all raced together. The race was 140km long and the weather was +10 with strong winds and rain coming off the ocean. This was definitely the hardest race of my life. 94 riders started the race and 44 finished. I ended up 22nd overall.
My goals were to gain experience racing with CAT 1 & 2 and to be the first CAT 3 rider to cross the finish line. I definitely gained experience on how to suffer and realized my fitness level has to improve enormously if I ever want to be competitive at this level of racing. I also manged to be the first CAT 3 rider across the line!
Racing with CAT 1 & 2 is a lot different then any of the CAT 3 races I normally do. These guys are way stronger, way faster and definitely not as friendly
I suffered so bad during this race I can hardly remember what happened. The race started on a downhill for the first few km's and it felt way too fast. I was feeling like I was going to get dropped before we even hit the first climb. My HR was way too high and I was suffering right from the start. I think the first climb was around 8km into the race. I was near the back of the pack on the start of the climb and had no idea what was going to happen as there were guys going backwards and guys out of the saddle charging up the road. I just sat there spinning as best as I could and watched my HR climb higher then I've ever seen before. I was suffering so bad but managed to keep on the wheel in front of me as we crested the top of the climb. I had a quick look back and there was definitely a big gap and I was the last rider to latch onto the front group. I'm not sure but it seemed like nearly half the pack got dropped on the first climb. Normally I would have been excited about making the split but I was suffering so bad and was doing everything I could to not get dropped. I was in such bad shape and my HR would not come down. After a few hard km's I think a breakaway was finally established upfront and the pace dropped slightly.
Long story shot I did everything I could to stay with the pack. I was so messed up, it took all my energy and concentration to get a gel from my back pocket and into my mouth. I took in nearly 3000mg of sodium in tablets hoping not to cramp up. I was cold and uncomfortable the whole race from the driving wind and rain. With 40km left I started shaking uncontrollably. I looked like I had wheel wobble as I couldn't keep my handlebars straight. As we started the last big climb my quads cramped so bad it felt like the muscles formed a big ball and were tearing apart. I managed to claw my way back onto the group...so close to getting dropped again. I was light headed at the top of the climb and it took everything out of me to just shift into the big ring.
So thankful my wife was at the finish line with a warm car and dry cloths (and help me undress). Definitely the hardest race of my life! Can hardly wait to do it all over again!
