Iceman recap

The goal for Iceman was to get a decent seed time for next year.  Considering that last years goal was just to survive the barrage of mechanicals and injuries, this year was my first real run at this northern Michigan classic. The day started out in typical Team Klunker fashion as a late wake up call, 20 minute drive to pick up Marc, 3 inches of snow and the 30 minute drive to Kalkaska meant that I was rolling into the start coral a mere 45 seconds before the gun went off for my wave.

Annual Team Klunker  'Late for the start' pic

The carnage on Anita's Hill

I felt great for the majority of the first 20 miles, recording PR's at all the major check points. Then the proverbial wheels fell off at the start of hill country. Anita's Hill was especially nasty as was the Woodchip climb and the Icebreaker. At this point I was resigned to the fact that I did not properly fuel pre race, did a horrible job taking in calories during and was now in full on bonk mode. A quick stop for a Gu helped me navigate the VASA trail and the final run up into Timber Ridge but by then the damage had been done: almost 45 minutes slower than my goal time. 

All was not lost as I did beat last years time by a full hour and I had a great time with family and 4,000 of my closest mt biking friends. Overall it was an amazing 2012 season, if not a little too short. The agenda for the off season includes a couple months of running, lifting weights, winter riding and the possibility of a brand new team for 2013!