Refocus

Congratulations to Dave Byers, winner of the Princeton Tec light set. And an epic ‘thank you’ to everyone who donated to the Livestrong Challenge. Of course, you can still donate to the Challenge. Pick a fight with cancer.

The ICUP race series mid summer break is a two edged sword. It is a refreshing respite from the week in and week out of racing. A chance to mentally and physically take a deep breath, regroup, and rest. But that competitive edge, that sharp lucidity that comes with repeated weekends lining it up and hammering until your ears bleed starts to dull and blur.

This Saturday I am looking forward to refining that edge, and hopefully discovering that it is sharper than ever. The course at the Utah Open at Solitude Resort has always been a favorite, and it’s been a few years since I raced there. I’ve been able to put in some solid miles over the last month. And I feel good, as if I am walking that fine line between optimal fitness and a spiraling burnout. Well, not exactly a ‘spiraling burnout’, but nonetheless, I am walking a thin balance. Which means that this week I will be spinning easily, relaxing. Although I do have plans to pre-ride the course this evening.

It’s odd. But I think I am actually developing ambitions for this race.

Which is a spectacular way to set oneself up for dismal and epic failure. But really, isn’t that the point? No, not failure, but setting oneself up, taking that chance, and either rising up to the challenge, or backing away quietly. And also, who’s to say what is and is not failure when it comes to a bike race? I’ve won only a handful of races in my life. And none of them very significant. But I’d hardly consider myself a failure. Mediocre, perhaps, but not a failure.

And so, off I will go with my unrealistic ambitions under my arm, and hopefully legs that are light and springy.

Exit Question: What is your most significant ‘failure’ in bike racing?