It's almost June, many races in the rear view mirror and many yet to come. This is always a difficult time of year to predict, am I roasted from too much hard work for Sea Otter, or after the short break in training am I feeling motivated to take on the 2nd half of the year? This year I think its the latter, feelin' pretty dang good!
I have been doing our local TT series on the Cervelo P3 I picked up this year, and even did a road race.. an omnium featuring a TT, Crit and a Road Race. I've done a few more MTB races and have a few more on the calendar over the next few weeks. In fact I've raced or been on vacation nearly every weekend since Sea Otter. Been busy! But feeling good and starting to think ahead towards MTB Nationals in Sol Vista.
This weekend will be a MTB race in Sisters Oregon, followed by the next weekend with a Race near Wenatchee Washington. The Wenatchee Race is the one I'll rest up for, it features 3x 1800' climbs.. you go UP, you go DOWN x3.. very cool course and always a challenge trying to save some gas for that 3rd run to the top.
Nationals.. hummm.. I think I'm there again. The start line is near 9000 feet, so it's a whole different world when it comes to aerobic performance. Performance is definitely reduced, and the burn of going to hard is magnified.. you blow easy, and it hurts a lot! Not to mention it takes forever to recover and get back to pace. But it's Nationals and I'm qualified with my Sea Otter performance, and lifes to short.. so for now, ya, it's on the calendar!
What to do between now and then? Well, race, train, and watch the weight. It's easy to put on a few LB's with the reduced training schedule and past the peak. But if you watch the volume, keep the intensity up, and eat healthy.. the second half of the season can be great! I built a great base this Winter, I have excellent fitness right now, I just need to keep the train on the tracks. Do some threshold work, keep up on rest and nutrition and drop the hammer on race days.. good times!
