Trying to overcome the trials

 Seeds of Doubt

This morning was typical of pretty much every ride in the past two months. I know exactly what is needed, but I have to really focus my effort from otherwise talking myself out of a ride.  Add to this all the distractions and crap, and it is just hard sometimes.  This sort of thing is certainly much easier when you have a training partner, or someone else driving the motivation - like a trainer.  When left to ones self, it can be difficult.  This year is truly harder than any others in the past.

A Week of Critical Rides

Things began with a hard tempo-ride to Trappers, then to Snow Basin.  As late as it was, there was no way to get home without a bailout.  The principal objectives were met.  The next night was a hard interval road ride - "hammer-heads".  These really help, in place of an organized "crit", and is a lot safer.  By the time I got home, I was completely gassed - like sick.  This morning was a trip back to the top of Monte.  Stayed in the harder gears to some very key points, while improving my over time.  Still had considerable fatigue, but managed to stay after it pretty much to the camp ground. As usual, there was a hard head/cross wind all the way to Huntsville.  I dropped the bike at the shop for a good "going-over" on the way home.  That will be ready Saturday night, just in time for another session of hill-repeat "racks" - the normal Saturday night task.

The key to all of these is making specific progress with each ride.  This is certainly not random, but very specific.  Increases in total intervals, reductions in overall time, increases in distance without fatigue - you get the picture.  Being safe as to not "over cook" is paramount.

This was the turnaround doing intervals the other night.

LOTOJA Updates

More details were officially released today.  No frame/bib number, but the start time is 06:00 -as in one dark hombre.  That is 90 minutes before the last group, and 70 minutes after the first group.  Modified feed zones in several places - particularly in Star Valley.  A detour out of Hoeback, as well as a couple course splits to watch for - making it one interesting day.  If I were to guess, I'd say the sportive course will be under 200 miles this year.  The race course (the one I ride) is still 202+, depending on what the detours add.  Either way, it will be a long day.

You can still rock in America

Ride HARD!