So the successful completion of the Leadville 100 marks the end of the 2009 racing season for me. It was one heck of a year to say the least, looking back on the year it's amazing I have made it this far. In January when I got into the Leadville camp (and officially into the race), I had no clue what I was in for. This almost seems ridiculous as I've raced mountain bikes and been a cyclist for a long time, sure I was out of shape, but really all I had to do was some dieting and lots of training... Well yeah, really that's all there was to do but each of those tasks was monumental and very difficult! The only other curve ball I didn't expect was the mental toughness, that I had assumed I never lost... or maybe never had...
From a goals perspective, I did everything I set out to do:
1. Finish Leadville in less than 12 hours and earn the belt buckle. Check - did it!
2. Lose weight and get back into shape. Check - did it!
3. Regained mental toughness (not officially a goal, but a noteworthy accomplishment) - Read Silver Rush race report for details, but in that race I decided there was only 2 ways to get off the bike: 1. Finish the race or 2. be hauled off in an ambulance. That's when I found the willpower and mental strengh to keep on going. This paid off huge in the 100 when I couldn't feel my hands or my feet and then hit the tree. There was no quiting until the finish line was crossed or the medics hauled me off...
Those were the minimum goals, and I have to admit that accomplishing them should have been my stretch goals list, but I was overly optimistic last January. So last years stretch goals are now going to be next years goals, and these are:
1. Finish Leadville under 9 hours for the big belt buckle.
2. Lose another 20 lbs to get back to 2003 race weight of 170 lbs.
3. Gain a higher level of fitness than I have ever been at.
and a new goal for next year is:
4. Win the hill climb coin in the Silver Rush 50.
For those who don't know, the start of the Silver Rush race is a hike-a-bike up a steep hill, the first guy to the top gets a gold coin! I figure if I do some running and some hill sprints I'll have a good shot at this, I will of course practice on the hill itself in Leadville, so I am more familiar with the terrain.
Getting ready to head out to the start line.
Around 6:00 am at the start line
Feeling good after the first climb and on my way.
Just exiting the new singletrack addition to the course.
Down from Columbine and headed back in.
Just stopped and got darker sunglasses, Mark is on the right in the red.
