Allan Butler Memorial Criterium
This was a cool opportunity to get out there just as the November training starts up and do a race. I finally felt good after a rough summer of recovery. I thought it was an appropriate venue to appreciate and memorialize Allan. I remember watching the Tour of Utah stage that used virtually the same course and seeing Allan put in a tremendous effort to bridge up to the lone leader. Allan made it and then made a courageous effort to stay with the eventual winner. It looked like we would have bad weather and in fact it did rain on a few of the races. However, the rain stopped a little before 1:00 and by the time the 1/2/3 race started the roads were mostly dry. Thanks to Jason Preston for putting this race on. I just wish we would have had a bigger turnout.
A note about the Logan Race Club 1/2 team...the effort they have put in to memorialize their friend and teammate is impressive. They stick together and throw down for each other. Team loyalty is obviously extremely important to each of them and they work together as a team all of the time. That's not an easy thing to do when you field 6 to 8 guys at a race and they seem to do it consistently. I'm glad we got to race a hard race to memorialize Allan because that is how he raced. He would throw everything he had into the effort and that is why everyone had respect for him and looked up to him as an example of how to be a great racer.
Don't forget Allan. Follow his lead and you will become a great racer.
On another note, keep your eyes open for the first interview this week...and get ready to hear about the first real week of '06 training. There's nothing like a really fast criterium to preface the begninning of winter training. I already have the schedule and it looks like fun! The pain cave (trainer in the basement) awaits when the bad weather starts.
I wonder what T$ is up to right now...