Unbelievably, The Trophy 2011 is in the books. As I sit in the car heading home scanning the highway, and thinking about the last 16 month forcing me almost completely out of the race scene due to a nasty disease. And despite a complete ban on any kind of races and sport, I have been trying the water and raced at times - secretly, just be in touch with my world of cycling. That s been a period to be checked off. And it seems that this Trophy - last Saturday - reopened a new chapter, basically well known one.
Like the race itself, it seems like a dream. I’m happy to report I was right. It was great. The common credentials, 211km off-road, 7760 meter of elevation, a point blank suffer-fest, an awesome welcome-back to the scene, with 5am-start cool morning air and warm all-day sunshine.
I approached the start line with a sense of calm anticipation rather than jitters and dread. I had to listen to my body cautiously, and responding appropriately - I was prepared to go just as far as that's been within my power. But then, right from the get go, the first good sensation overwhelmed me. I came to understand the rhythm of the race. My bike felt chain-less. I’d learned the right wheels to follow; when to surge and when to recover. I was just upbeat right away.
I knew I had to ride my race, my rhythm, pushing and recovering as I need, and staying within myself. That can be a challenge when the going becomes more enjoyable and despite my weakened body, I felt being up there to elevate the pace. My motivation, high spirits, psyched up state put me pretty quickly onto the so called seventh-heaven and from that point on I knew: that's gonna be a gorgeous day, a God-send race.
Steady is the name of the game in all-day racing. And so, I stayed wise, calm and didn't respond all those attacks that came from my competitors. Burning too many matches had left me fried and losing time at the end of the day.
I was also a bit worried about missing a good technique that I had barely any chance to exercise while being sick. Instead, the opposite was the case, I was absolutely delighted with how effortlessly and confidently I could bomb down the trail, weave in and out of trees, and climb mountain goat style up nearly vertical jagged mountain passes. It was a pleasure to go out of the saddle and feel the burning calves.
Salzkammergut Trophy hails its world famous "pain cave" Salzberg “ that puts all those poor souls into their suffer zone. I had been afraid too, as every year [since 1998 I m doing this race], and so I had to have some spare gas in the tank to get over this vicious mountain. Thankfully that's been the part where I have been able to play my card and dropped my contenders. I wasn't able to attack, I just elevated the speed on the steepest part [30%] of the route and none of them could suck to my wheel.
I can’t count the number of times I thought my day was done during any given grueling part of the track only to find myself still in the thick of the race. By not wasting energy getting flustered and just staying positive, cheered, and moving steadily forward, I held my spirits high and that enabled me to move on and overcame even the most challenging periods with a big smile on m face.
Knowing that the so needed physique, power and training is not there, I was better off to endure it and gain ground a different way. First, I made clear to myself that Ill be enjoying the journey, staying in the Now, and don't let all those suffering put my soul down. You can approach it either as a 12.5 hour of a hell, or a 12.5 hour of a joyful epic ride. I opted for a latter one. I felt sorry for all those around me cursing and being in total agony. Thats just boosted my morale, gave me strength and cheered me on. The divine-like scenery of Salzkammergut gave its additional balm for the soul.
Even in the deepest pain of the race I knew the accumulating final overjoy will prevail and make me forget the sacrifice. The calmness paid off, I kept my rhythm and reeled in more and more racers towards the end, that had been fading and surrender.
At this point i knew its going to be my personal best time [since my first attempt in 1998] even tough pending ailment, thus out of shape. And it would have been a perfect race had I backed off a little bit and didn't crash 5km to go and breaking my frame in the process.
I crossed the much sought-after finish line though, losing 5min and couple of places, but hey, the overwhelming joy riveted me totally.
But most of all, I'm eternally grateful to God for this great gift, for being next-to back again. This inner sensation can not be put in words and I have got to sink in first.
My huge 'Thank you' goes to AnnMary for cheering me on keeping my spirits high - that has been awesome. And for sure, to Martin the principal of the event, for being kind enough to making it a memorable day, and I can say with certainty that this will last a lifetime.
Thanks for sharing
Yours, Robert
Edit: Photos courtesy of Tom [Sportograf.com]
No comments:
Post a Comment