Here again already?

In a little less than 4 weeks the Devil's Backbone Mountain Cross is coming, August 28 to be exact. This time last year I was out of shape, about 10 lbs over my usual "racing" weight and fearing the ride, for the most part the fear was correct, see last year's post about that. This year, I'm in little better shape, weigh about 4 lbs less and fear the climbs just as much as I did last year.

Let's push all that negative stuff to the side for a moment and think about the positives: I know the course, I can look forward to the awesome parts (all the parts going downhill....) and psych myself up for the all the hateful parts (going uphill). I do have more power in the legs this time around so I'm hoping that helps.

I had hoped to have some longer rides under my belt but that isn't happened with the home schedule. I've been training with two 1:30 slots a week, usually Sat and Sun. I've seen improvements, haven't missed more than a weekend riding and feel pretty good on the bike. I rode 40+ miles on Father's Day and felt the best from mile 30 on so that is a good sign.

I'm going with the same bike and gearing from last year, I did add a Cane Creek Thudbuster-ST suspension seatpost, I won it in a contest and it seems pretty cool for a minor weight penalty. I'm hoping we get some rain so the 30+ miles of gravel rodes firm up and to keep the dust down.

I do have a goal this time around. Last year it was to finish. This year it is twofold, to finish and to break 4:30. Which is 25 minutes faster than last year. Can I do it? It all depends on how my climbing is.

I've added a new supplement to my arsenal, Hammer's Endurance Amino. It seems to help, unless it is just a placebo effect. I'll let you on the 29th.....

I'll hopefully post a few more times before the event to update the ole training progress.

Until then, pedal, pedal, smile, jump a curb and pedal some more!