I'm a dumbass and racing to "the Old Rugged cross"? WTF??

I'm getting my race wheels ready. Got 'em glued, look passable, get my 11-23 cassette to put on them. I'm down to the last cog and I notice that it says "11t, 9s". WTF?? So THAT'S why this never fits quite right! Out there is some person who purchased a Sram 9s cassette from me and has a 10s 11t cog on it. Oh well.....
Anyway, I head down to "Bird In Hand" (really-that's the name of the town. Next is "Intercourse". You can't make this shit up). Get there for the Smoketown airport crit. Beautiful day, well organized event with food and registration that is convenient and good. Organized by the International Christian Cycling Club. Good mix of music over the PA system when I hear "the Old Rugged Cross" hymn blaring. I guess I should've expected it. I remark to the guy parked next to met hat that was my dream. Anyway....
I saw Kevin B there. It's his 1st time ON THE BIKE THIS YR. (He does rowing as cross training.) Course is on the runway and not really flat. Windy as crap, esp up the finish straight. We do a rolling start; I am not  afan; I get stuck near the back and since there is a narrow "S" turn before the back downhillish straight, I'm doing all I can to catch up to the pack. Doesn't last long; I get pulled. Kevin gets pulled 1 lap later. Oh well; it's training for cross......
Give me a month and I should be in the thick of it. I hope.

1st race of the yr...

Turkey Hill Country Classic. Road race consisting of a 6ish mile long rolling lap. We (masters 50+/60+) did 4 laps. Hot day. I brought plenty of water/gatorade. Got there with plenty of time to warm up. Got a nice 30 minute warm up in and then headed down to the staging area. had my pre-race gel and Red Bull. Didn't bring any more gel as it was only 25 miles, so no worries, right? Well. We waited. And waited. About 30 minutes later we went off. I was able to stay near the front of the pack; felt pretty good for most of 2 laps. Then the lights went out. On the long climb going to the finish line I lost energy and couldn't keep up with the pack. I was screwed. Dying many deaths I finally finished. Those last 2 laps were painful, but good in a way. This really is training for me and you never push yourself as hard as you do in a race so that was good. Plus, these guys have been racing for several months and this was my 1st race this year, so I'm not too disappointed. I know I wasn't DFL (whew!) but the results still aren't up. Had to get out of there in a hurry. Finished and downed anything wet and or sweet I could get my hands on as I just about passed out at the finish. It wasn't puking, but that's got to count for something, right?