As I was warming up on the trainer I felt like I was done..the stress at work and the lack of riding plus racing every weekend since the beginning of March has me beyond toasted. But CX is the love and when the gun goes off all the cares and worries in the world go away. I rocked the hole-shot and the race was on. The first couple laps separated the group into around 6 guys. Jason and a guy from VA were the ones to beat today. Everyone else was hanging onto our wheels as the 3 of us took turns pulling at the front and testing one another. 3 laps to go it was down to 4 of us. Randy, a 45+ guy who I was battling last week bridged up to us and let the 3 of us 35+ers battle it out. 2 to go and we are all still together. There was a grinder climb that I tested the group on mid-way through the race and opened a little gap. This was the crux of the course. My plan was to get to the hill in 1st position on the last lap and give it everything I had at the top and keep the momentum to the finish line. ½ way through the last lap Jason and I were bumping elbows and bars going into the corners fighting for 1st position. I edged around him before the barriers….rolled them super smooth and hit the final climb and completely put myself in the pain cave (thanks Dave T, wish you were announcing today) I got to the top in 1st and turned myself inside out. It is amazing what the body can do and how much pain it can endure. I never looked back and could feel a little breathing room, but I knew Jason was back there and he can out sprint me… I could see the line and kept it going and won the NC state championships.

It was a great feeling after the stress of work and life right now.

More pics here

Wah