One year ago, Treadfest 07' was my first race in almost twelve years. I had been planning on racing for six months and had bought a set of rollers to help with the training during the winter months. I end up finishing towards the end of my age group, tired, legs burning, and ready to puke. What a great feeling. I had not felt like that in a long time. The only bad part about that race was how I placed. I was determined to change that for 08'. That was the goal. My first Target Race.

So here we are 2008, the day before the race. I am at Monsters of the Midway, looking to get a good warm up for Sunday's Treadfest. With family obligations, I could only do the Masters +40. I was intimidated before the race knowing I was going to be racing with Randy Warren, and the fact that he said there were some real powerhouses in the field. But what the hell it is a warm-up race for me. This was a fast race with a lot of surges but I hung on. Randy and I even tried a break for a bit and I actually had a sprint for the end (finished about 20th). I was so pumped that I wanted to race again, but knew I could not. Seeing all of our teammates getting ready for the Cat 4 and 5 races was very difficult for me.

The morning of the race I am driving to pick up Guy Graves and Greg Heck so we can save on gas money. It sure is nice to have teammates in the car to BS, talk strategy, and learn new things. We got there early to have plenty of time to register and warm up. Soon after we got there we ran into Paolo, Brian, Keith, and Dave Norton. Dave was there strictly for support and what a great job he did.

Time to line up came pretty fast and the nerves set in. I did well three weeks ago in Indiana at the DINO series but the WORS Series is definitely a step up in the way it is run and then in turn the competition is two fold.

I start doubting my ability. Did I put in enough miles? DDid I climb enough in Brevard, NC? Would I be able to finish in the top three? My mind was going crazy? It is one year later, am I ready?

I stretched at the line and locked out my shocks for the first climb. I was able to move up to the second row at the start because on the non aggressiveness of a couple of riders. This pumped me up. How could someone give me an extra 10 ft at the start line when it is so important to get to the front for the first climb. Greg and Kyle took off the flight before me and I screamed, "go triple X". I was now ready.

The count down from 10 to five with a long pause and then a long scream sent us off to the ski slopes. We hit the first hill in under a hundred feet and then straight up. I passed a couple of people and felt strong climbing. With Teammates on the hill screaming and running along side of you, the Bone Bell ringing, I was now really motivated. We hit the first downhill and I opened the shocks, but could not open the speed because of traffic. I realized I needed to attack every hill and then I could recoup on the single track in the traffic. Most riders have the hardtail mt bike I think to save weight but tend to be slower over certain. Myself having full suspension, was getting aggravated on the downhills telling guys to keep the speed up. So every chance I got on a climb I hit it hard. A couple of times, even with my minimal cross skills I was passing guys running with the bike. I like to stay back a couple of feet if some one screws up on a technical climb, because in big traffic a climb can get ready bad. Twice this happened and I was able to dismount and scream 'coming up the middle', and with out losing speed, everyone would step to the side, and it would motivate me even more. I Battled with one guy during the first lap, but also passed him one last time with a cross move. One lap down. Two to go.

As I hit the hills again at the start, the encouragement was first class for the team and Norton. Brian with the Bone Bell, and talking right in my ear. His voice slowing increasing in volume all the way to the top. My second lap I kepp attacking but was still getting held up in a lot of traffic. I keep looking behind me but seen no one following. For insurance, I keep picking them off one at a time. I started to see guys in the from the age group in front of me, then some two groups in front. The best was to see guys starting three flights infront of me, the 19-29 year olds. I start to become tired and lose some of my focus. I bounce off a couple of tree but never go down. Time to ease up a little so I will have the energy for the climbs at the start. Still always loking back for that fast approaching mountain biker. Lap two comes to an end.

Final lap and things are thinning out. I climb the first hill again but with only Dave Norton as support. Everyone getting ready for the expert class. I scream water and Dave gives a perfect hand off at the top as we both go around a slower rider. With the field thinning, I am now able to open up the bike on the downhills. The way the thing is suppose to be ridden. It is a great feeling to feel as one with your bike, no matter what type it is. I was there. I made sure to load up on more water (thanks Dave for a wonderful job)and fuel before hitting the single track.

The Rock Garden and Shoot. I have not talked about it yet because I was not able to enjoy it until the third lap. No one in front of me, life is good. I hit it hard and got the screams. This is one of the most crowded places on the course because people want to see the carnage. Nothing better than yelling and screaming for stranges when you attack a down hill like that. You know you are doing well when you give them the speed they want and you get their approval. As I come to an open field half way thought the lap, I see Greg and Kyle on the other side and give em' a yell, 'Go triple X'. I realize then I am much farther ahead than I thought. I start to ask riders as I pass them if any +40 riders went by them and the answer is always 'I don't think so'. My goal now is to caught Kyle and Greg. It never happened but I knew if I fought for that I would not get passed.

I finish strong and meet with Kyle and Greg right outside the shoot and we congratulate each other as we all feel confident in our effort. And our efforts paid off. Greg took 5th in the 30-34's, Kyle 2nd in the 35-39's, and I 1st in 40-44's by 2 mins. The three of us placed in the top fifteen in the over all for the Sport. Very good showing for xXx Racing - AthletiCo. I am very happy to see that I reached a goal that I set a year ago. I don't usually have the patience to stick to things like that but I am changing. And thanks to a great team, made of up great people giving support and advice to really get me going. It is my turn now to get out there and cheer on our experts in the next race. So off we go, Greg, Keith, Kyle, Soupy, Norton, and myself to give the cheers to Paolo, Andrew, Guy and Brian. Great Day Guys. I had a blast. And as far as the WORS Series goes, Aces. What a great race. I am sure I will be doing more, but maybe bumping up to the Comp Division.