MAS O MENOS 07

The Mas O Menos 100k in Texas was the first “national” endurance race of the year for me. The event was going well and I sat at the back of the lead group for most of the first lap. As we went through the mid-lap feed, I went to the front for a pull and to make sure I didn’t miss my handup. A couple minutes later I noticed that no one was with me and I looked back to see a sizeable gap to a chasing Travis Brown. I was in a comfortable pace with 40 miles to go as we hit the major climb. The gap continued to open to over 2 minutes by the halfway mark of the race.

Shortly thereafter, disaster struck in the form a sharp rock and a 1.5″ cut to the sidewall of my tire. With a little help from my number plate, I was going again but now in 7th place. Knowing that the fix was likely only temporary, I rode conservatively and made it to the tech/feed. Loaded with more tubes and CO2, I also grabbed several gel wrappers off the ground. By the first part of the climb, I was back in 3rd place and in sight of the leaders when the tire went again. I booted it this time with the gel packs and survived for 4th place–passing two riders on the way to the finish.

While my misfortune was disappointing, I was super pleased with the level of fitness I have so early in the season. I haven’t raced this early in years and my heavy schedule last year combined with some relentless training since late December has me in some of the best shape ever! With really only base miles and low intensity training so far, hopefully I am on the right track for results later on this year.