New to the staging routine, I end up near the back again. We blast out of the pasture into giant clouds of dust formed by the excavating torque of 200 knobby tires. Choking and heart-pounding we hit "The Wall" at 2mi. People already walking. I'm moving up. Every peak is not the top. The view of San Jose valley 3000ft below is spectacular.

Now we're screaming down through the trees, tires chattering in the corners. I try to go fast to hold my position, but remind myself that crashing costs time.. as well as healing time for the next race.

At 5mi, on a narrow trail, I hit a rut and indo'd. The bike fell off a ledge 7ft below. After climbing down to get it, riders, thinking my bike & I careened off the cliff, yelled "Do you need help?! Are you all right?!" Wow, the bike's fine, and I'm back in the race.

I run my bike through the sharp rocks and washed out sections of the singletrack. Then comes the "broken bridge" at 10mi. It's a tricky 3ft drop to a collapsed wooden bridge. Most carry their bike but you can save 5 secs if you jump it. I landed a bit wrong and bounced off into the grass. It always works better in practice.

The crowd cheers as we start the 2nd loop. Eagerly, I embrace "The Wall". I slowly pass riders. They're getting tougher because now no one's walking. 15mi. My knee starts to hurt, I try to change form. I can't stop because it's too steep to re-mount. Some rollers bring relief. It's really hot, the view's still amazing. I think my tire must be low... nope, it's just me.

Back down! Getting harder to hold my position. Everyone's sliding through corners, flying over ruts, & ripping through creek beds. I'm holding on for dear life.

21mi I take a GU as we head straight up for the highest point. This is my focus, "Heartbreak Hill", the breaking point, never ending. Some are cursing, but it's not a punishment, it's an opportunity. Higher and hotter and steeper. Now running...pushing.. recalling the hot volcanic rock at Ironman. I can do it, I'm a better runner, and it's the last hill. But it's not the last hill, and I'm now a walker like those around me. Lactic acid overflow. Legs don't want to straighten.

Gasping on a sun-baked hill only lizards & Bighorns could enjoy. This is where it's at. A test of our power. "Dig deep!" I yell to those around me. The Top! We jump on the bikes as the road drops below us. The brakes seem useless, I'm sliding, bouncing, careening down descents, around rutted corners, blinded by vibration. Out of control, wheels locked, I'm sliding towards some bad looking ruts, somehow I bail & end up standing. Back at it.

Behind me, in front of me, trying not to get passed. They seem more controlled, skilled in the corners, and they hammer the hills. 26mi. The last hills really burn up the legs, I'm out of water, losing energy. Delirious, I enter the technical single track. I can't even run straight, twisting my ankles on the rocks. The crowds want stunts, we want to survive. I run the bridge this time. The final stretch home, go legs! go! 100yds, I see the spectators eyes light up, "Get him!" and then, without the needed surge, but at the same time, happy with my race, I see my competitor rush by and take, what turned out to be, 10th place... the last medal.

That race was TOUGH! I was so exhausted, both from climbing and gripping my brakes in fear, I just laid down by the free food booth. What impressed me the most about this race was how strong the field was. Men and women hammering from start to finish on what seemed tome the toughest mountain bike course I've ever been on. Time for a nap.