Stumpjump Report

I'm not even fit for the Harrell's JV team, I'm just a guy with a Harrell's jersey :) Sorry for not being any help point wise guys.

I don't know what happened today. I thought my fitness had improved, but I actually road this race slower than I've been doing easy rides of around 20 miles with spider woman and lost creak at Harbison. On the bright side, I stayed with Jim most of the race until I stopped to see if a down rider needed help. I had a really bad start, I was last across the start line and last into to trail. There were four riders between me and Jim. I passed those guys and got on Jim's wheel. A few seconds later he downshifted, nearly crashed and almost took me out with him. I passed him there and I did not see him again until he passed me while I was off my bike getting my self supported feed. I crashed on the first lap when the edge of the trail gave way by a creek. I did an Aikido roll and popped back to my feet and the only harm was dirt on the back of my new jersey.

The second lap I was pretty much with Jim the entire time. I felt OK. I was actually worried about getting lapped by Toby P. towards the end of the lap and decided that I was going to drop gears on him and blow up before I let him do that to me on a single speed ;) Thankfully, it did not come to that. Monty was a real pal and handed up a bottle in the feed zone at the end of this lap. A glance at the computer time told me I was holding back too much, but my HR looked spot on for my target 180-185. Again, I don't get why I road so slowly.

The third lap was different. Some poor guy had done an endo in a creek crossing at the bottom of a hill not far into the third lap. As soon as I saw him I knew it was bad. He was motionless on his stomach laying in the weeds along the trail. I stopped and moved his bike out of the trail to avoid a pile up. I looked him over from a distance and saw that he was not bleeding. He was complaining of his back hurting so no one touched or moved him. There was another rider heading back to get help and someone else standing with him. I looked up and Jim was almost out of sight. I jumped on my bike, headed up the long climb, made it to center field of the ball park we road by and saw Jim hit the single track. I was only 100 yards back, but I never saw him again. I started to pick up the pace, but a look at the computer let me know it was a waste of energy... I figured myself for dead last. After a few miles, I heard the expert class and pros behind me and started just pulling over grabbing a tree and letting them pass. I made it to the 20 mile mark and started cramping like I've never cramped before. I started drafting my retirement from mountain bike racing text. The last 4 miles were VERY hard for me. My legs just were not there. I made it up the gravel road and finished 15th of 17.

Photo © Palmetto Solo

Finishing up "El StumpoJumpo"... all cramped up and ready for a beer.

So grading this race from my goals. I finished and I was not last. I kept my heart rate at 180. It's a D- :) On the way home I started thinking that it's only been 4 months since I've been back on the bike after a year of nothing. I guess I should not be too hard on myself. I did make some improvements, but really don't know why I road so slow. How does one go from cruising at 10.5 and 11 to racing at 9?

Next goal: Don't be "that guy", the one who shows up in evey race just going just for a finish.

Results:

15th
224 JASON AMICK 2:49:20
1:   48:47   48:47
2:   56:24 1:45:11
3: 1:04:10 2:49:20