Today is the 29th which is not normally very significant. This 29th is in March so the next will be in April. I usually spend that weekend attending a board meeting and then all of the fun that comes with Drake Relays. This year I have chosen to take on TransIowa version 13 (TIv13) I am not known as a long distance gravel grinder, so how did I get here?
Last year's challenge was not the 100 miles at Leadville. It was the silent suffering of a severe shoulder injury that bothered me since early spring. After having it repaired mid-July, I had two months to sit still, not use my arm and hand. Somewhere in that time, I had an idea and it involved TI. What I suggested was ultimately not able to happen. Somehow the conversation when from that to why don't I enter? I laughed but the questioner was serious. I had done 24 hours of Cumming. Yes but my longest training ride prior was around 58 miles. I had finished but saw it as a fluke. I really saw no need to ride that type of distance on gravel. I truly am a fan of midwest mountain bike races...2 hours is a great amount of time to race.
I knew that I would not be on my own bike until after the first of the year if all went well. Two months of no strength or core training was concerning. I cut a deal to do some tandem racing early in the year. This kept me on the trainer as I could tolerate. It is amazing how motivated one is when there is a goat at the end. When it came time for TI sign up the question was posed again.
One thing that I have learned through this is to choose your friends carefully. When you have friends like Canjo, Chuck F, Fuller and Cooper, you start to think that phrases like: 24-hours, 500 miles, 10-hour training rides are normal. I did not see myself as being at this level. But I knew that I was stubborn beyond belief. I bought a postcard, carefully read the race rules, and entered. As a rookie, I did not think I had much of a chance to get into the race. So I was not watching the results. I got notified by another biking friend. Then I let my coach know. The best thing about my coach (OK,sometimes also the worst) is that she never says: No!
She set a plan in her head and started feeding it to me week by week. Some time is February I was able to start riding solo. An hour, then two. Eventually 2.5 hours of gravel. My arm/shoulder had been reduced to skin and bones. Not a muscle to be found. The PT was excruciating but I knew it had to work ASAP. What I did not figure on was the intrinsic strength of lots of little muscles and such that are vital to riding I had lost that.
I have stayed true to my training plan. It has finally started to come around and I feel strong. My shoulder is aout 80%. I am a month out and it is settling in that THIS is happening and I feel solid about it.
I understand that a 330-mile race on gravel and B Roads, self-supported with no pre-known route is not about the miles. Yes, I need to do my training but it is more about mental toughness and the blessing of weather goddesses. It is about good equipment choices. It is about those around me that believe in me more than I do I have the greatest bike shop dudes at Rassy's getting me ready. I own the sweetest bike ever for this: Salsa Cutthrout. Experienced racers are quick to loan bags, advice, tips.
As I embark on my last month I have a few things to dial in. The strangest is to learn to eat junk food. I am a cook at home, whole foods type of gal. The first CStore stop took a long time as I was overwhelmed at the food/drinks/snacks available. My transition stunk so more practice is in order. Best advice/warning came from my Zoom coach Julie: it will be late at night and that hot dog that has been on the rollers all day is going to look like the best food that I have ever seen. I am not sure I can go that far, but she is rarely wrong on race advice.
As I embark on a long-ride weekend and talk like 10-hour gravel rides are common to everyone, I am urprisingly without fear. A healthy dose of reality is still firmly embedded and should be throughout this journey.
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