Always suffering!
Maybe this watermelon will make my legs stop cramping.
I've raced the Test of Metal so many times I've lost count, and barring the first two years in which my goal was to simply finish, I can remember wanting to finish under 3hrs. The Test, in my opinion is one of the best organized and community supported races on the planet. What makes it unique in B.C. is the consistency of the course allowing, racers to match and compare their times year after year. In all honesty while I love the race, it has not been good to me. Over the years I've suffered 2 broken chains, 6 flat tires, 2 torn sidewalls, 1 front brake failure, 1 bout of diarrhea, 2 dehydrations, 4 bonks and a separated shoulder. One memorable year, having a fantastic race, I finished 9th in elite, won $150 in cash, but still only posted a time 3:02. Last year, when the course was running extremely fast, I clocked a 3:01 and change. It was a heartbreaker, having to wait an entire year just for another chance to check off another box on the bucket list. Lining up at the start this year, I was confident in my fitness, but fearful of the countless things that could go wrong: flat tire, broken chain, cougar attack. The race went great, with the exception of the lid of my water bottle popping off, expelling half a bottle of orange gatorade on my jersey and not into my thirsty body. My water bottle fiasco may have contributed to some cramping at the end of the race, but I suppose it wouldn't feel like the Test if you didn't cramp in Crumpit woods. In any case that's all done with now and my usual feelings of regret and despair associated with the TEST have now been replaced with a deep sense of personal satisfaction. Thanks to the organizers and amazing volunteers who continue to make the Test of Metal one of the most consistent and best races in the world.
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