XC Racer Blog Post

Why Oh Why?

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BY: Rob Smith

Published: 29th March, 2012



Why is it the more prepared I am the less ready I feel.

 

With just over a  week to go till 12/24hrs of Exposure I guess it's right to start feeling a little worried and nervous.  Not about riding, that should be OK, it's not my first solo 12 and lets be honest, up there it's ONLY 12hrs.  That was a strange sensation last year being on the start line of a solo 12hr race and feeling inadequate because we were lined up with the 24hr guys.

 

No I'm nervous because of the goals I've set myself; last year, I did some training, we rocked up I jumped on my bike and rode. Jane fed me what she thought I needed when she thought I needed it and that was it.  It was also enough to finish in 11th in open amongst a load of team riders. We don't talk about the Soreen and peanut butter.

 

For this years event, I've set myself a goal of top 5 in Vets; I've trained, done research and worked out a proper feeding plan, had tests, sorted out spare parts, even got a spare bike and yet I don't feel anywhere near as ready as last year.

 

I'm beginning to worry about my form; I'm conscious that the event will be my first test of fitness levels. I keep looking at the entry list trying to work out who the competition is. I'm worried about the bike being in the best shape, I think I'm becoming a racer!

 

Why do I give myself this pressure? I used to think I wasn't a particularly competitive person, a "that'll do" kind of guy. Up until quite recently I didn't even own a pair of trainers and yet here I am now racing regionally, nationally, all set to trek up to Scotland to compete in the European Solo Championship and what do I do? Embark on another mildly ridiculous escapade!

 

Recently on twitter Rob Lee (http://kinesismorvelo-rob-lee.posterous.com/) challenged people to ride 1000miles in April in memory of his inspiration and mentor, Terry Thomas, and as it was Rob who inspired me to give endurance racing a go I thought I should sign up; with a round of the Fully Sussed Series and 12hrs of Exposure all happening within the first 10 days I'll be sure to get some early miles banked.

 

I've never been a great one for statistics, I love numbers and looking at graphs but despite all the training I've done I've not kept a close eye on the miles I've logged. I might remember to wear my garmin but then chances are I've forgotten to charge it, it decides not to locate the satellite for the first 10 mins or I've just not up loaded the data or "it's just cycling home from work" which can be a 30 mile trip and the watch stay on the side.  But for April I'm going to attempt to log all my rides via the Garmin; starting with Round 2 of the S/W Series down in Cornwall at United Downs near Redruth. I'll try to twitter regular updates as all the other challengers will be (#1000miles to see what everyone is up to) There are 30 day in Apr so that means a average of 33+ miles a day or 250 miles per week, stay tuned to see if I can squeeze that into what is already looking like a very busy April. 

Rob @xcwanabe





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Rob Smith

new racer trying to fight his way through the masters pack.

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