That’s what I’m having a hard time getting. I have a pretty bad taste left over from last week in Europe. The race in particular. I’ve been back for two days and can’t get much of a grasp on what I need to be doing to ride bikes fast this year. I don’t want to wait around 12 more months to ride Nationals and Worlds again. I have much less patience than that.
I know I need to address some physical issues I have. I don’t really know exactly what I need to do to address that, but I should make an effort. I’m also trying to decide what my race schedule is going to be this season.
I think I would like to do a lot more events that I haven’t ridden before. I really enjoyed the Battenkill weekends last year. The course was challenging and it was a new experience. I met a lot of new people that were interesting and got to train somewhere I hadn’t spent anytime at before. Can’t ask for much more than that.
But there is something to be said about going back to events that I’ve been at before. It is much easier doing well at an event that you’ve competed at before. You know the lay of the land and have some prior experiences to use to your advantage. Plus, it is always nice to go back and see friends that you haven’t seen for a year, or more.
Then there is the choices of what type racing. Exclusively on the road, or mixing it up more between road and off-road. I’d like to mix it up way more this year. I don’t think I’ve been riding my MTB bike enough the past few seasons. I’m becoming sort of one dimensional in that respect. Plus, I think I’ve forgotten too much and have been too far removed from the MTB scene and would like to get back up to speed in that regard.
I think I’m going to spend more time at altitude this season. I don’t see a way to do well at altitude races without acclimating. I don’t have any specific races in mind that are at altitude, but it is hard to make those decisions without knowing I’m going to have to spend a bunch of time up there. It’s not so bad really.
So, I think I just need a little time to try to forget yesterday and concentrate on tomorrow. I probably just need a vacation.
Please at least put Snake Alley on your list – we like having you here.
There’s always the RAAM and of course my favorite – the Tour Divide MTB race from Canada to New Mexico held in June.
The Route photos will sell you on the race itself – and what a challenge!
http://tourdivide.org
What about taking some time to do something you used to do when you were younger, but for some reason or another you just don’t anymore. I used to fish a lot when I was younger. Well, it was kinda more drinking beer and less fishing. I can’t tell you how many years went by w/o me even thinking about fishing. Well, last year was really stressful for me and one day I just decided to say “F-it, I’m going fishing”. What came of it was mostly me drifting in and out of sleep in a comfy lounge chair sitting next to a pond with no bait on my hook, but it really did the trick. It was so peaceful out there. I just sat and listened to the outdoors. No computer/job/cell phone/working out/etc. Only worry was when the peach cobbler in my dutch oven would be ready to eat.
Have you thought about mt. Evans? It is a pretty unique challenge.
I can relate….probably better than anyone about last week in Europe and finishing 3rd when the win was possible. Torment.
I live on Cape Cod, don’t know if you’ve ever explored this area, but if you’re coming East for Battenkill, you’re more than welcome to come early and stay at my place beforehand. I have killer mountain biking, right out the door and some pretty amazing scenery for road rides too. I’m about 4 hours from Battenkill, but thats nothing for you.
Think about it, JB
c’mon Steve, you’ve been around long enough you’ve doubtless been thru this pattern before… end of season / post-goal-race letdown.
Go have some fun and think about anything but bikes for a while
Aikido, Steve, try aikido. I know a local sensei who takes on beginning students for $40/month, twice a week, Wednesdays at 6pm, Sundays at 1pm… but if you can’t spare the time for sensei, try this: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QnYBXlX2bPwC&oi=fnd&pg=PR13&dq=focus+meditation+mindfulness&ots=i9ibfpN1J9&sig=z7a2hd8caISFEYXF4mgW-ldwdYk#v=onepage&q=focus%20meditation%20mindfulness&f=false
You may consider Rouge Roubaix in March-app. 80 miles pavement and 25 miles of gravel. Not a bad purse and good competition. Ck. out the site.
Everybody goes through this and you probably have many times over the years. This is the perfect time of the year to step away from racing/training, and just ride. Ride the bike you want to and do whatever rides you want instead of riding a particular bike and/or doing a particular loop because you think you need to. After being off the grid for a month or 2, you’ll naturally gravitate towards the racing that you really want to be doing.
Mt. Evans and Leadville.
Numbers- would be a good reference. In a month. What is your VO2max? these days. Age what 50? I’m 49. What is age doing now to your ability to ride and compete?
What is this reality like at age 50 vs. your peak?
Also, watts per. discrete -(distance/time) effort.
How quickly can you recover- i.e. how many hard days a week? How hard? Heart rate, etc.
Information like this would help all of us “older” riders Steve. Whether we race now or not.
I talked to you a couple of years ago about a ski race in Colorado I was doing. My predicament, not enough training time, a young child. I was interested in any workouts that would help me to store as much carbohydrates as possible in my muscles before the “race”.
You said focus on getting your skis waxed well! Best tip possible. I skied forever that day, but finished, my skis were great.
What is your balance point these days- diet/riding/etc. How would you tweek it for those with kids and a different life than the bike?
Kudos