On Saturday I went out to Union Grove, near Lancaster, PA for a road race.  I'm no road racer by any means, but I generally try to do a few of these each spring to help get back into shape for the mountain bike racing.   I won't go into the specifics of the race as it was rather uneventful.  There were a handful of breaks that were brought back fairly easily since there were no major climbs to aid a solo rider, but nothing that ever lasted.  For the most part, I rode near the front but tried not to lead too much to conserve some energy for the end.  My goal was to try to make a move with a mile to go, but by the end, the pace picked up too high to be able to get away on my own and I finished mid pack with burning legs and lungs.  

Afterwards, I had realized that this was my first high intensity, interval type ride of the year so to follow up with one good workout I went out and did a nice hilly 40 mile road loop on Sunday with over 4,000 ft of climbing before the rain rolled in.  While I was out riding on Sunday, I was thinking about how much I missed all of the great climbs that I used to have while I still lived with my parents.  The ride in the map below covered about the same distance as Sunday's ride, but added almost 2,000 more ft. of elevation gain.  

Last weekend was the endurance sports expo in Willow Grove , pa.  Since it was crappy weather , bikers, runners, and swimmers filled the expo.  This was a great way for us to get the word out on pavalleys events and the perfect audience to preach to. Pictured here is Ray getting yet another believer.  Sure looks happy!

Spring is finally here, and the motivation to ride outside has returned.  For a while I thought I was in a slump that I couldn't get out of, but yesterday, Mike and I went for a beautiful ride through Cumberland County.  I started the ride with no expectations.  Just wanted to go steady and feel good.  A positive attitude was all it took (and a nice cortisone shot in the knee) to make the ride great!  We rolled through New Cumberland, Mechanicsburg, outside of Carlisle, and back through.  It's so nice to see other riders out enjoying the sunshine. 

I was truly amazed at the amount of people who were lined up 50-60 deep for a free Rita;s Italian Ice. Do not get me wrong, I like Rita's. For the life of me I could not understand why you would waste an hour of a beautiful day standing in line for ice. Seriously, colored, flavored ice. Oh well, to each their own, I will take riding a bike versus waiting in line any day.
Spring has sprung, or at least is springing.
 

In twenty plus years of racing, one thing is for certain, everyone goes right to the results at the end of a race. However that is not what makes an event. Yesterday at the Humdinger I noticed so many things that the results will never tell you, before, during and after the race that made this day so much fun. Such as:
The top-notch orginization that was just great. Fast, efficient and just ran well.
The offer of a place to stay, and good beer,  when I travel to events. Thanks Otto, that is appreciated.
Seeing friends and fellow racers after a long winter break.
People coming to the event in groups to participate, as opposed to by themselves.
The camraderie of friends talking about what lies ahead.
The efforts of the organizers in holding a race after mother nature made it difficult.
The spirit of runners dressed in costume.
Said runners sprinting the first half mile.
The sound of heavy breathing because people are pushing their personal limits.
The sportsmanship of competitors allowing passing in tight quarters.
The sheer joy of running very slow, and very fast.
The respect you earn and give to a stranger.
A hearty and very tasty post-race bowl of chilli.
The hoots of laughter as people slide to the finish.
Seeing the sense of accomplishment in people's faces as they finish.
Watching family and friends greet a finisher and sharing in their accomplishment.
Overhearing everyone talking about how cool the race was.
The pride seeing people receive their hard earned awards.

An event is so much more than me, my time and place, yes it is very important to me. However sometimes it takes a different perspective to see and understand what it is that I really enjoy about racing. 


There were so many things the results will never show that make racing, and The Humdinger in particular, such a great experience. Ultimately, when we race, we race for all of these reasons.
That is why I enjoyed The Humdinger.
I will be back in 2011.
See you at the Robbins run.
Hebe 

Wow.  It was a tough one, hence the name I 'spose.
 
Yup, there was a huge turnout.  I think this event is poised to become the biggest trail run in the region if it is not already.  The course was hard, the weather was great, the party afterward was better.  I am already sore, but I can't wait to do it again.

Our team had a strong showing, with Carolyn (left in photo) winning the women's overall!  Nancy and I both got 3rd (age group) and Brandon crushed it for 15th-ish overall, despite having run a total of four times in the past three months.  Somehow, Rob earned a beaded necklace along the way.  Hebe (second from left) is empty-handed and stern faced.


I can't say enough good things about this event, super awesome.  Do it next year.

Not sure how to explain this photo, but have to include it.  Pre-race warm up?  Team bonding?  Caption this for me.