Training Log Archive: kgeisen

Red course. Cleared the course and it actually felt pretty easy. Bobbled on 6 but, remembering how tricky that area was at CW8 2 years ago reset, ignored the vegetation boundary, and followed my bearing. Shot a bearing from 11-12 but then didn't really have a clear attack point so was pretty shaky getting there, too. Very confidence inspiring day. Need to work on moving off-trail, especially up- and downhill.

My body wasn't really on board with this plan and it got dark outside pretty quickly. Rode 1 - short side of 3 - 4 - short side of 2 - 2x up the hill to the parking lot.

Looking at the splits from Saturday's race was interesting. I was 63 minutes behind at CP1 (mile 52), all of which I rode at a way easy pace with two stops (one for a mechanical, one for a break at Casey's) that I wouldn't have taken on my own. I was 44 minutes behind at CP2 (mile 82), and then she beat me to the finish by only 16 minutes.

I had totally checked out of "racing" as soon as I knew I'd be riding with my brother. When he dropped at mile 52, I was able to stop lollygagging and, even with a not particularly efficient 10-minute stop in Afton to get water/load the second part of the route, make up 19 minutes of that deficit.

The second half of the course felt SO hard, and "knowing" I was way in back I was just riding to complete the race. I didn't screw around too much while on the road (though Mickey was right and I should have just plugged my garmin into the battery backup from the start, something that would have prevented me from having to completely move around everything in my cockpit mid-race when I realized I couldn't plug in my garmin where I had it positioned), but my two C-store stops during that leg (the second of which was entirely unnecessary except from a morale standpoint) were both leisurely affairs.

Basically, even with the first slow 50 miles I had ample opportunity to win the race simply by being more efficient during the rest of it, something that has been my strength as of late. This was a good reminder of how important that can be.

C • the mental game 3

Jeff and Jacob go way early to get a good spot for the parade. I refuse to, so walking there makes a nice excuse. Plus, it's super nice out. Plus plus I'm still a little achy from Saturday and not interested in anything more challenging.