Goodbye to a Friend

Went out to the Duke Al Buehler trail for one last time trial with Zimm. Both of us not up to par for the run with Zimm still nursing the tail end of his hamstring rehab. I'm proud of him for tackling the rehab solo this past week and hitting the times and distances that we discussed.

He called a 12:30 for the 2 miles out and back on the hilly terrain but only needs to do 13:00 for his test. After a walk/jog mile warm-up we set off for the 2 miles and hit the mid point at 6:30. My ambitious call for a 6:00 flat back seemed and was ridiculous considering it was an uphill finish for the last 1/2 mile. Nonetheless, I felt Zimm start to drift back a little on a downhill portion with about 3/4 mile to go and thought he wanted me to go ahead and push a little. Not like me to charge so early but I decided to go anyway and thought to myself that I was just going to fail at the end.

We hit the bridge and I looked back and he was chugging right behind me with plenty of pep in his step for a strong finish. I kept grinding and hit the first big hill going up and to the left at a decent clip. He still was able to hold pace behind me and I yelled at him to come forward as I was failing and form falling apart. I cruised the last down and then ramped back up to finish at 12:42 (6:12 back) and Zimm jogging it in at 12:55 (6:25 back).

He was disappointed but it was reassuring knowing that his hamstring felt great. I know he had more in him and didn't push in the end. That was not a Zimm crack, just a Zimm let up showing character and letting me cruise in to Paris with the yellow. There are no attacks on the last day of the Tour by riders not wearing the yellow and Zimm showed class in letting up. He will be on his game in 2 days and the field better watch out! Podium finish for the stage on Tues/Wed is def in the cards...

A good finish to the summer Tour and a good meal at Rick's Diner following with the rest of the team.

I will miss my training partner and friend but am happy for him to continue his studies and soccer at CNU in the fall. I'll be waiting for you in the winter my friend...

Tour rolls on to Newport News, VA with the final standings of this years edition:

Yellow - Brian
White - Zimm
Combative - Chad
Team Yellow - ActivEdge of course!