After finishing last year's Colorado Trail Race, I swore I was done. That was my speed limit. If the record got broken, I'd consider going back, but until that happened, I had other things to do. That being said, I had a hard time sitting out this year's version. The whole week was a battle between the rational brain and irrational with the rational brain saying that there's no way I could race the way I'd want to, in a sub five day fashion, while the irrational side said that if I really wanted to, I could.
Watching all my friends traverse the state was awesome though. Chris' ride blew me away. I knew he had a fast ride in him if he was healthy, but he was anything but healthy going into the thing. I honestly thought I'd be picking him up in Leadville with the way he was hacking up his lungs the days before the race. Watching Cat's dot race across the map had me on the edge of my seat checking my phone multiple times a day, analyzing the mistakes I had made last year. Two hours in the BV grocery store? Really, Ez, that was a screw up. Nearly two hours in Silverton eating burritos with Jarral? That could have been cut out. The double nap on Los Pinos Pass? Could caffeine have cured that? And Jefe's ride was nothing short of amazing.
It got me thinking, was five days and five and a half hours really my speed limit? I was wrecked when I finished, but maybe I could shave an hour off. Maybe two. Maybe 5 and a half. Maybe I couldn't.
Chris told me I should go for the Triple Crown: AZT 750, TD, and CTR. While it's not in the cards for 2013, it got the wheels spinning. Now that would be a summer to remember.
Howly cow, Ez with a Powertap. The world is somehow different for me today!
Posted by: JKS | August 08, 2012 at 04:09 PM
Hey Ez, I know you got a sub 7:28 in you. I know you've been frustrated by the lack of sponsorship, etc. and seem talk out of the side of your mouth about enjoying the dirtbag lifestyle. Fair enough. But please consider putting LT100 on your schedule for '13. Talk to Dave, who will get you a slot. Ken C.'s kid knows who you are too!
The racing trifecta you mention above is groovy, for sure, but you ain't getting any younger. Do that stuff when you are old. You've made your name in that scene; look at what Ethan did today coming off killing it just a week ago on the CTR. Imagine EP fresh toeing the line. That's you next year.
There are plenty of us that will help you get a super light HT bike for that road race. I was so sad to see you writing on the contenters, etc. for singletrack instead of actually riding it. If you do it, I'll come out of the woodwork and support you with $$$, lodging, travel, you name it. Put it on the schedule! Goliath slaying is the path to immortality. You deserve it! You really are one of the strongest riders in North America. Whether or not you know that every day. Sad fact is, other people get to decides the yardsticks. And that's XC and thing like LT100. XC ain't you, but l ong suffering at altitude certainly is.
Posted by: JKS | August 11, 2012 at 02:37 PM