Well… I’m 2 for 2 on waking up race day with a splitting headache. After I got the kids dressed and ate some breakfast, I took some Tylenol and laid down with a cool cloth on my forehead… neither seemed to help.

After a hot shower, the Tylenol might have knocked the pain down a little and I set off a little before 10 am. I knew it was going to be a hot one, so I stopped to pick up a big PowerAde and a couple of energy bars. I’m glad I left as early as I did, Island Lake Rec Area was having a no-entry fee day and the place was packed.

After getting a parking spot a couple miles from the race start, I unpacked my gear, aired my tires up and set off to get my number plate. Riding to the starting line was a little rough, it was hot and my headache was not letting up.

I picked up my number and figured I had enough time to head back to the truck to drop off my extra bottle and swag. I made it back to the truck, found a nice tree to sit under and watch the folks enjoying the hot weather on the beach. Once I finished my water bottle (and a couple more Tylenol), I took a spin around the trails by the parking lot and headed to the start line.

I was able to pee twice before the gun went off, so I figured I was pretty well hydrated to begin with. As they were calling up the waves, I made sure not to get stuck behind the wave after mine and had a pretty decent start.

Not feeling 100% and the weather being a factor, I decided to take it easy this race. I don’t have my official time, but I’m pretty sure I was slower than last year. I was a little bummed about this, but thinking about it, I’m happy I was able to finish. The race went as well as it could, I stayed on my hydration (one bottle of Tailwind nutrition per hour) and I didn’t crash, even after a sketchy corner sent me into the rough (as I was getting back on the trail, I saw a bunch of other folks nearly lose it on the same corner).

As I was finishing up my third and final lap, I got stuck behind the strider/kids race. It was neat to see the little tikes on the course and I wish our kids were more interested in riding their bikes. After I crossed the finish line, I found a nice cool spot in the shade and tried to ready myself for the ride back to the truck. It was only a couple miles, but it was a very humbling ride.

I made my way past the traffic waiting for a parking spot to open up, blasted the A/C and headed back home, looking forward to the next race in a couple weeks (hopefully without a headache).