PRE RACE BLOG | Sunnyside Sports

Posted by don on Saturday, September 17, 2011 ? Leave a Comment ?

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Racing at the HC 24

It is close to 5am race day. I don?t think I have ever written a pre race blog before. What is interesting about that is my mind is always much more active before a race than after. I visualize my race, I think of strategy, I wonder how I am going to do. After a race is always quite simple. I raced and I went hard.

So here I am drinking coffee and thinking about todays race. First of all I know I am spoiled when it comes to racing. I have had lots of success in my over thirty years of bike racing. Most of it mountain biking. I am used to starting up front, I am used to doing well. This is not bragging. One my age is the leading age of mountain biking. The inventors of this sport, the Ritcheys, Fischers, are all my age. The original racers who were winning when I started are all younger than me, even Ned Overand. So I have been racing as long as anyone. I have less competition than most age groups. That being said I am good at all aspects of mountain biking. I have good endurance, good handling skills and I can go hard if need be.

What this is leading up to is today I am the favorite to win. I am the reigning mountain bike national champion. I won a 55 + 100 miler by over three hours and I have the home trail advantage. I have never looked at myself and thought I am the favorite. I look at myself and think regular guy. Middle of the pack who can do better. But the reality is I am the favorite. Does that mean I will win? No it only means I have a very good chance.

I do feel the pressure of being the favorite, it is fun to be the favorite but it is a responsibility. I am not over confident but I am ready. I have trained for this event all summer. This was my focus. Mountain bike Nats in Sun Valley was a last minute decision that I am very glad I made, but this is the race I have had in mind since it was announced last year. The deal is I never expected to start as the favorite. I thought I would start as a local and then surprise the other racers. Nationals changed that.

Those are my thoughts this morning. Pre race jitters, turning pressure into positive energy. Remembering to have fun, go fast and be safe.

One more thing. Cross has started big time. Most of teammates are off to Hood River for Double Cross, some have already done two races. Though I love cross mountain biking is my first love. It is where I learned real skills on a bike, and it is where ?I have the most fun. I wouldn?t be a good cross racer without my mountain biking skills. So while I wish all those crossers good luck I am very happy to be at home racing in a national championship event that I will ride to from home. For that I have to thank the vision of Doug LaPlaca and Visit Bend.

Now off to get ready. I will give an update after the race.

Don

Source: http://www.sunnysidesports.com/2011/09/pre-race-blog/

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