fretting nonstop

A synopsis of the race including pre & post activities. Following a visit w/locals that came out to watch Jen and I were invited over to Dave and Amy Pipho's for dinner. We had a nice evening consuming beer, wine, chicken, pasta with some cake and ice cream for dessert. Before we all stimulated great conversation I didn't think anything of Amy's comment to us all prior to sitting down at the table, "I never cook so just warning you." Funny how this would shape a great story for the rest of the events in a bit. After looking at some baby photos of Olivia and given a tour of more landscaping projects they keep busy w/around their yard we hit the road.

For whatever the reason, I couldn't sleep worth a damn and that in itself had me uneasy about Saturday. Once I picked up my timing chip and hopped onto the shuttle bus my stomach growled at me in a way that I wasn't sure I either ate enough or.....in disagreement w/something. The group took off from the SHT parking lot off of Becks and hung a right down the Munger and then cut left to climb Ely's Peak. I felt poised having Tom Heinitz and Dave Pipho set the pace as my leg strength was excellent and the ascent seemed effortless. Reaching the summit came quickly and now a sketchy descent that really got my stomach agitated in a hurry. I knew once we were into the rollers of Magney/Snively I had business to tend to. I pulled off the trail and squatted down to relieve myself. During this moment Ryan Braun passed by which would also add to the tale in the end. Succumbing to diarrhea is never fortunate and for a guy like me, a big diesel engine that requires many calories from a small intestine that has nothing to absorb will certainly meltdown. After wiping using a few leaves I pressed onto Spirit Mountain where the same thing happened yet again!! By now, I had no desire to give chase nor had the energy to do so. I would finish fourth on the day, third among GC contenders and now sat one point behind Dave Pipho. After arriving home I tried to eat light foods but found myself in the bathroom within minutes. So, being very cleansed inside I chose to do some yoga for awhile. Afterwards, I walked down to Lake Superior to wade in the water for recovery. That evening I spent in a bowling alley w/Jen's brother and sister-in-law whom we haven't seen since April because Jason was over seas w/the military. I tried a few small squares of pizza but had the same reaction. Getting home later, Jen convinced me to try some Pepto-Bismol.

Waking up this morning, I could tell I had some deep REM sleep as my body felt lethargic but mind was alert. An english muffin w/honey would be it for me in terms of a meal. On our way down to Park Point Beach House the tactics weren't in my favor today knowing I let someone slip in between Dave Pipho and I yesterday. Positively, he's one I always hope shows up because we've got similar strengths and overall ability to bring the best out of each other. Drinking a little bit more coffee as Rod Raymond gave us instructions I prayed for no anal bursts since there is poison ivy everywhere along the nature trail under the giant white pines(many of which might be removed by personnel of that stupid tiny airport) for the majority of the course. It would be the Dave & Dave battle at the front on this final day once more on our way out on a gravel maintenance road opposite a fence to the runway. A half a kilometer in we approached a bridge that had been covered by wind blowing sand dunes and this is where I stuck my neck out there and made a move. I attacked early in the loosy goosy conditions where power is needed. I opened a sizable gap rapidly but figured it wouldn't last until we got out to the beach at the lollipop turnaround but it did. Back on the firm trail leading to the gate where we started I kept relaxed as I tried to find a high cadence to reach the cone in first. In my head, this was the finish line even though we had to turn right and charge up and over the sand dune to the shoreline and then turn left for a long home stretch to the patio. I held on for the win but this is when the outcome is shared. As everyone swam in the great lake, Rod thought that I had clinched it and asked for feedback. I would end up w/more stage wins but informed him that since we tied for points it came down to cumulative time for the breaker. I lost significantly on Saturday's longer stage which made it no contest. Plus, Amy chimed in saying she put some ex lax under my cheese Friday night so her husband could win(jokingly, of course) and got some good laughs by people that drove from the TC enjoying their first dip in the cold water of our great lake. The weekend couldn't have been scripted any better as we talked over some Caribou at a table under an umbrella. Jen and I then hurried to her nephew's baptism, an audition callback for a Playhouse role, I later watched Jen sing in the Arrowhead Chorale, dropped her off back @ 404 W Superior St, & now I'm going to try for a nap.