I finished dead last nearly every loop

It was part of the plan.

The long game is what matters.

Every few laps there would be some new faces in the rear with me.

Front runners, breaking down.

Oh how I loved the conversations they provided.

The new faces would soon disappear.

Never to be seen again on the race course.

The long game is lonesome, it requires discipline, patience and perseverance.

You must let go of pride, plan your dive and dive your plan.

The Pale horse was riding.

“and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.”

- Chadd Wright