Things I Learned at the Fair Hill 50

Don't go out too fast:
let them all ride by you;
you will catch the weaker ones later;
staying with the stronger ones initially is bad strategy.

Practice with your nutrition/fuel:
not practicing with fuel is almost equivalent to trying something new on race day.

Keep those tiny packets of chamois cream handy:
even if they don't actually solve any problems, at least they will take your mind off that tiny patch of skin.

Be careful with the hands:
relax.

Start with a cautious endurance pace:
there will never be enough time if you blow up;
there will always be plenty of time to empty the tank.


6:43 to do 50 miles, sheesh...
I think I'm getting spoiled by the long road rides.