Steve Long, Bariani 35+ 5

Walking to the start I realize my number was on backwards. What a dork! Getting ready to take off and Fast Freddy gives me words of encouragement then points to my number. Ya, ya I know. I then notice I forgot my gloves "damn I hope I don't go down". Taking off I am trying to cleat in my left pedal, damn. all of a sudden the group is 20 yards ahead into the wind on the frontage. I qualify for the earliest drop. Lesson learned pay attention out of the gate. Picked up a rider on the county road and we hammered felt good until after the sprint I look back and he is gone. Damn, he pulled off. Into the wind again by my lonesome picked up 2 riders at the turn on 92b. We hammer feels good to have some protection. Asked if they were sticking with it. I hear hesitation. I told them I would pull through the crosswind and on the sprint and we can rotate on the frontage road. I get the nods, cool. Again I look back after turning into the wind on the frontage road and they pulled off.

Last lap "Enervit Cheer Pack" time. I will swear by this stuff now. Picked up a guy from Webcor on 92B. All he did was suck my wheel and then sprints out at the end of the KOM. What no thank you. Pull into the finish and my sitz bones and left leg are in dire pain and still hacking from the dreaded cold that went around. Joaquin greets me with a smile and words of encouragement. All I can think of is how great it was doing my first road race!!!! What a great time!!! Went to the doc's on Monday she put me on roids, antibiotics, Albuterol and Robitussen.

I need my left lung back.
---