There is an expression in french, "Le cordonnier mal chauss?", which "means the shoemaker not well shoed". If you have seen my companion site, www.freetrainingplan.com you'd probably think I have been training with structure and discipline during the long winter months. In reality, I have been keeping a base form with random workouts, but not working on any top end muscular endurance fitness.

On Sunday April 27, was the Ste-Martine road race, close to Montreal. I new it was going to be a fast race in the Master A field, because this was a large field of over 100 racers, all excited for the first race of the season on a warm sunny day. With only about 60 miles on the road this year, very few trainer miles, and some base running form, I know I wouldn't be much help to my teammates. This was 6 laps of a 14 kilometer loop for a total of 84km (or 53 miles), flat course, light wind. I had the feeling this was going to be a fast race. I knew I'd just be pie filler, (oops I mean pack filler), so I didn't have any expectations.

With an average speed of over 43.5 km/hour (27 mph), indeed I just sat near the back of the pack, as I knew I didn't have the race form to go out and contribute to the race or help my teammates. There were many attempts with different groups trying to breakaway, and all being reeled back. On the second last lap, my teammate Michel Courval, was towards the back of the pack with me, and since I know he has good form early season, I suggested he moves up as decisive moves often occur in the last 30% of a race. He had blown a few matches, and was taken some recovery time. At the start of the last lap, a crashed occurred near the back of the pack (typical situation where tired racers at the end of a race start to lose form), and both Michel and I avoided it, could not make the junction back to the main group.

My day was done so I gave up the chase on the last lap and finished a few minutes behind. It's not the first time I get dropped in an early season race, and that's ok - the season is only beginning.

I don't have pictures of the race, but you can have a look at my new Opus Vivace bike. Being sponsored by Opus we got an amazing deal on this bike. Monocoque carbon fiber, Dura-Ace. Stiff, light (probably just under 15 pounds), and smooth. It feels nice but unfortunately it needs an engine tune-up.