Second time at the Allianz Arena, "Jedermann" licensed racing, from U19 to Masters, absolutely mental😜, 46.5km/h average speed. 3xCarnage, but I managed to stay on the bike and didn't get lapped this time...and ended close to the front in 19th. This really felt like a personal Victory to me, super happy with my performance amongst all these Semi-Pro Amateur Crit Specialists.
As the reigning regional champion 2022 I had to defend my title and my legs actually felt quite good, too. But it came totally different. Up the main rise on lap TWO OUT OF 12 I had to go deep to stay in contact to the front, glancing at my Wahoo I was at nearly 800w for what had felt like an eternity when my respiration couldn't cope anymore.
That was very close to an asthma attack, similar to what I had encountered in Kraftisried two years ago, in similar conditions, super hot and dry day, high grass pollen content in the air and a warning in place for allergics to refrain from any vicious exercise.
I had to stop the race, as my breathing did not normalize, instead, it was getting into a panic stage, with exhaled air being trapped in the way of inhaled air. It took about 5mins by the roadside until I was feeling safe again, to drag myself to the car. Post-race analysis of recorded data revealed that my heart rate was still about 10 bpm below max. when the asthma signs became threatening. I would have expected this to kick in closer to HR max, something I should get checked by my physician.
Strong competition, but me not my best self today, having difficulties adapting to the sudden hot weather and feeling very quickly exasperated in the red... Lots of attacking by the German Champion, but as I only found out after the race, he was Masters 4 and started in the race 2mins behind us. One rider got out the front with a few laps to go and carried it home solo, I had not even noticed he was out the front. So much about racing and mental awareness...Anyways, enjoyable having done some more racing and also getting to talk to one or the other old git😊, getting to know my playing field a little bit better.
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| Sprinting it out with legend Bernhard Dietl |