Race day started early up in Camp Wrong Way, it was nice not having to rush
around to make it to race. Unlike my last race I actually got plenty of
warm up, which was nice for a change. I'm not really up for the race,
training wise, but that's life. My goal is to finish in under 2:15, given
the shape I'm in I think that a reasonable goal. I figured if I was in the
same shape I was last year I would have been about 15 minutes faster, oh
well. I'll do the best I can.

The started and by the time we're off the track I'm in the place I thought I
would be, in the back third of the pack. On the first downhill I quite a
bit faster then I was in the preride, hitting a top speed in the mid 30s.
I'm also faster on the first singletrack too. Overall I feel good. Just
before the end of the first singletrack the top riders in the next age group
catch me.

The race goes on, thru the 1st sandy downhill, up the steepish singletrack,
thru the first mud bogs which have gotten worse since Thursday. The course
alternates between fire roads and singletracks. I generally feel good, but
know I'd be faster if I had been training. On the singletrack before the 3
sisters I know to dismount and run thru the one really bad muddy spot, when
I do that I actually pass a few people. Thru the 3 Sisters and along the
next ridge I go. The mud bogs that I come across are a mixed lot, some
better some worse then during the preride. I nearly endo in a small mud
spot in a series of switchbacks, my one close call. Soon I finished with
the paved climb and it's onto the Goat Trail and as I expected I soon had
issues with chainsuck, I had to stop twice to deal with it. Luckily it self
resolved about halfway up the new climb home. I feel the best I have during
the race and pass a few people who passed me earlier. I see Franck in his
new position as team photographer, thanks again for the great photos.
Before I know it I race down Laguna Seca and I'm done with the SOC XC 2006.
My time is 2:12:30, so I beat my goal which is a good feeling, I'm 98th in
the Sport 35-39 class. For awhile I believed I DFLed, which I felt bummed
about, but I later learned I hadn't. Next is the NVDC, hopefully I finish
this year.

Matt