Pacific Crest is an amazingly beautiful race located in Sun River, Oregon. For a backdrop we have the Cascade Mountain Range, in particular we become like an ant on a hill when we are climbing up Mt. Bachelor on the bike. Second big race of the year for me and I was ready to wrestle with the demons that have haunted me since my last run in a race at Boise 70.3.
Race morning came and knowing that coach wanted me to turn the mind off and just race I tried my best to do such. This race had an elite wave which elite amatuers could join being how the prize purse was only 5 G's, therefore could not be a true professional wave. So I had the opportunity to race in my first "Elite" wave! Exciting!!
Kevin Everett and
Luke McKenzie decided they would stamp there status of being "Pro" in the swim and took off like missiles. I did my best to hang but was soon in no mans land off their feet, due time I will be there. Sighting on snow capped mountains how could one not be loving this swim? Out of the water and was eager to start the ride with my
Blue Triad. The bike course is amazing. Alpine lakes, rivers, snow covered peaks, smell of pine, and cool crisp mountain air. Climbing up towards the pass at Mt. Bachelor the snow is still piled 10 feet on the sides of the road. Creating the feeling of riding through a refrigerator. After two hours my body started warming up, I finally came around and began racing.
Back into T2 my legs began to come around and feel good, I hopped off the bike and thought to myself "man I am glad my running legs showed up today". Donning my
T6's, I started the run in 6th place. I had one more spot to go before I got into the money, so I put my game face on and started to track down the contenders. Mile 2 and my first victim was caught and passed. The next 8 miles were lonely, there was no body to be seen, except the aid stations volunteers every mile or so who were great by the way, (water on the left, electrolytes on the right). At about mile 10 I saw some friends who said 4th place was only about a minute up the road. Shortly afterward I caught of glimpse of him, and by mile 11 he was caught and passed!! With two miles to go I put out my best effort and soaked in the high fives and cheers coming down the finishing chute.
4th place and I am happy to have ended the day on a high note. I ran like I can off the bike and believe the near future will show another step in the right direction towards obtaining my pro liscense.
Thanks to Tim, Mariah, and Abby for providing a place, and a fun filled trip. Boise was out in full force for the racing and cheering. Kevin ended up winning, and Trish Diem took 2nd overall for the women. Felt like a local race, even people I did not even know were cheering for me which was pretty cool, but kind of unusual since they knew my name and I had no idea who they were?
Thanks for checking in, Neil
