yes, we got some rain out in Texas. But first the WW segment. My goal to cut my snacking out had some success: 3.4 lbs. weight loss this week. Not down to goal, or my lowest weight, but close. All week I'd been psyched for this weekend. I got work done, and made sure that at least some semblance of house chores were done Friday morning before we left. On the way out, an argument quickly escalated between my wife and I. She got out of the truck, and walked off. I will tell you now that I am learning about being the right kind of husband. It is obviously a work in progress. We got to camp and set up, at Guadalupe creek, about 25 minutes from the race site. My wife invited a close friend and his son, but they had "family issues" they had to work out, and so they never showed. We had lunch, and went to the race site. Lots of cyclists around, imagine that. I finally found the beginner's clinic, and was able to pre-ride the course. I went out with a much more experienced rider; about a mile in his back tire caught a rock on a downhill, and brutalized his knee. Up the hill a golf cart was just passing, and I flagged the guy down. I loaded his bike up, and set off with some other experienced riders. I was gone for almost 2 hours, and found some areas very technical.
There was no rain, just overcast and cool. I got some great tips, and had a general idea of what kind of level I'd been competing against. So we got back to camp and found Meeko and his cousin had eaten 1/2 our food. They were in the cooler, and were NOT easily scared. I found the package of bacon next morning. Oh well, we had pancakes. So we loaded up the bikes and got there in time for the kid's kup. Then we went back to the truck to eat lunch, and the rain came. And came. Lots of folks cleared out, and so we parked closer. I made the committment what to wear, and we set out for the start.
Yup, there were all the racers-and the men I was competing against. They staged us out-and we were one of the last groups to go out. Just before they fired the pistol, the rain stopped. But then, up the hill, back ON for the duration. The first couple of miles was into the hills, and into some sections that were just treacherous. I soon discovered the limits of my anaerobic capacity. I slipped twice, twisted my ankle. My left glove went down into the mud; my glasses quickly were coated in mud-very limited vision; WHERE ARE MY PEDALS!!!! I passed some folks, and just one guy passed me in the field. I saw several people wipe out, hard. Through the fields on top of the mountain, choose a side: puddle or puddle. Down the mountain, caught some more folks, and into the last stretch. My rear derailleur was not working, and I used my forward momentum to clear it out, I dismounted up the last hill, ran, and came into the final chute with 3 other riders ahead of me. I picked my line and scrambled past, and hopped the creek, around the corner and through the finish. My adrenline was higher than I've ever experienced: I hoisted my bike to the heavens and shouted: I'LL NEVER BE 1/2 THE MAN! I WANT TO BE LIKE MIKE! Clearly, my sanity had evaporated.
Thoughts of my brother and his 2 1/2 hour nap clouded a truly wonderous moment of achievment. People were looking at the 1/2 crazed, muddy man, and clearing a wide berth. It took a long time to find out the results. I cooled down quickly. I was filthy, and covered in mud. They had a raffle for all the riders, I made out with a bag. Finally, they posted the results. I placed 7th at a national event, my first race. I made the decision to leave, as the rain continued. I found out this morning I was elibible for a ribbon; but at that moment I was ready to go home. So we headed back to camp, literally threw everything in the truck, showered quickly and drove home. My bed never felt so good. I rested as much as I could yesterday, with the rain continuing on today, as well. I have never rode so hard in my life, but have a true sense of accomplishment with how well I did. I truly felt I put my all into my effort. My wife told me that 238 beginners went out, and I placed 35th overall. The first beginner man 40-49 came in at 54 minutes, I took exactly 60 minutes. It is difficult to tell if I could have done better. Our new digital camera and video camera got left behind at home, but my wife did remember the regular camera. Pictures are truly worth a thousand words. She saw that they took pictures at the finish, but they are not ready yet.
All I can say is .... WOW!!!! 
