Tuesday, August 10, 2010

"That" Guy

If you've ever raced, you can probably relate.

You know that moment in a race when you are at your limit, suffering, talking to yourself, praying for a mechanical so you can DNF, and then you look up and see that guy in the crowd. The guy who seems way too comfortable and happy? And for a brief moment, you would give anything to switch places.

I've always wanted to be on that side of the race. Comfortable, drinking an ice cold Diet Coke, eating chips, watching the racers go by as they suffer.

I think that's my new PCP2P race plan. I'm going to embrace the idea of watching it from the sideline. Maybe pack a camera, take some pics, give some high fives....whatever.

Mile 50 seems like a good place to camp out and watch the fireworks.

I've been avoiding the idea of transferring my PCP2P entry. In fact, I still haven't transferred it yet but I know the hip just won't be ready for that kind of race or ride. I thought about maybe starting it and seeing how far I can get but I don't think that would be fair to the racers who didn't get in.

So for now, I'm working on accepting the facts. I won't be racing. I'll be watching.

And there are a few people I plan to heckle and tease as they come by. The guys who have been going out of their way to track me down and tell me how amazing their weekly rides have been these past few weeks. (Too much time away from my bike has made me bitter and grunpy. )

On a positive note, I logged 37 min on the spin bike today with a max HR of 163. Hard to get excited about those stats but I'm in a much better place than I was 3 weeks ago.

Tell Rico I'm coming for him.

10 comments:

Derron said...

Don't forget, you can throw out ice cold bottles of CarboRocket to me and the other riders/racers as we pass you with our tongues hanging out at mile 50. Knowing you, you'll be back sprinting for the AF canyon shack in no time!

KanyonKris said...

Benched by injury - a bitter pill. Let your bitterness make you strong.

So who are you giving the PCP2P spot to? I imagine prime consideration is: who will look absolutely hammered by mile 50 so you can enjoy watching them go by in agony as you sip a cold drink and toss ShotBlox and ice cubes at them.

SkiMoab said...

I think too much time away from your bike has also resulted in a record number of blog posts lately...

Daniel Zvirzdin said...

My weekly rides have really sucked... a lot.

On a completely unrelated note, I wish that I had registered for the PCP2P before it sold out...

Rick Sunderlage said...

Dan- Nick Rico has already claimed my spot. I told him he needs to bring home some hardware.

Sorry man. I wish I could give it to you. (You said all the right things)

KanyonKris said...

Perhaps I'll spectate also. I have a "deep and abiding interest in pain". And if you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter (that KILLED in Junior High).

What, they don't have a wheelchair division? Let's get you a chair with knobbies and you're set.

South County Ciclista said...

Maybe you could make an underground version of a documentary on the pcpp. Like the race across the sky movie from last year.

eber said...

if you wouldn't mind just gently patting me on the butt as I roll through mile 50 that will be sufficient.

ps - my cc ride this morning TOTALLY blew.

Jonnie J said...

Ricky - may the hip heal fast and early. I plan to switch at mile 50 from my pedal version bike to my new Cancellara motorized version. Maybe I could get you to wheel it up for me?

Rick Sunderlage said...

Eber- I can do that. I'll be the guy dressed in the devil costume.

JJ- I like where your head is at