New Year, Another Trip Around the Moon, and a New Age Category.
1st Race of the year. El Paso Puzzler. Based on my 2019 goals, I did the 35 mile loop. Which is still over a 5 hour race for us mere mortals. I love the Puzzler, for so many reasons. I was turned onto the race because it used to be part of the TMBRA (Texas Mountain Bike Race Association) Marathon Series, and I’ve been doing it every year I’m able to, since.
This was the 2nd time I have raced the 35, the 1st time I raced the 35 on a 32 x 18 Single speed. Yes, that is a big gear for the course, however, my “A” race that year was Silver Rush 50 Mile Trail Run in Leadville. So, of course, it made sense to run everything… carrying my bike. This year, I’m focusing on Xterra, so it didn’t make sense to build to a 7+ hour bike ride so early in the season. And I have to say, that 35 was a very enjoyable day in the saddle. I already have 2020 races plotted out, so yes, I will be doing the 50 miles next year.
Why do I love the El Paso Puzzler so much? It’s simple. It is the hardest 50 mile bike race I have ever done. With almost 7k in climbing in a mere 50 miles, the climbing is not what makes it hard. It’s the rocks, the rocks, and the rocks, plus, the rocks. The Franklin Mountains are no joke. It is some of the toughest terrain, and the Chihuahua Desert. This is a race, that you have to be on the favor of the mountain in order to be successful.
I have been known to say, “I’m not a good technical rider”. I had an epiphany while racing this year, “I want to become a better technical rider”. The simple things that change, when we change our language from a negative to a more positive. Technical courses, and sections are not considered my strength. I have a motor that is stronger than my skill level. I’m not able to tackle technical sections, at what would be a normal race pace, for me on a non technical course.
I race the Puzzler every year, because it’s good to challenge my weakness, what I want to improve. It is good to embrace the suck. Man, I do love that place. I do it every year, because it’s HARD AF.
Plus, it’s beautiful:
Race went great. OK, it could have gone a little bit better. Between having the contagion for 2 weeks, and the snow that came, and didn’t leave prior to race day, I did what I could with the training I had. I was missing my last long ride, or two. So my race went great, until the 4 hour mark. Then, muscle memory had to get to the finish. It was fun. I went back and forth with 1st and 2nd place for 26 miles. 26 miles… the 4 hour mark, and the massive hike a bike section. I’m learning a new nutrition plan(no animal protein, and this was my 1st race where I didn’t bust out a meat stick at lunch time), and for some reason, I was having trouble. The things you don’t notice until you unpack your food. I only ate one fruit package, .5 magic potion, and 2 Lara Bars. So the simple fact that I didn’t have enough fuel in the tank could have been part of it. I was craving fat. I woulda died for an avocado. Lesson learned.
My tires were Maxxis Ardent Race, front and rear, 2.35, I ran the Rudy Project Racemaster helmet with Zyon glasses, with side wings, and racing red lenses, Salt Stick Tabs Electrolytes in the Blue Bottle, always get me to the finish line. And my ability to sustain the long stuff to eNRG performance, my inability to not recognize my caloric need was on me. Keeping the metabolic curve to the right, for the long duration activities is a must. I’m certainly not as metabolic efficient as I was, doing more shorter events, and training, although, I’m doing my best to maintain it. A fresh set of ESI Grips Extra Chunky kept my hands, elbows, and shoulders feeling good through ALL the ROCKS!! No soreness, numbness, or pain. Dr Speegle, for keeping me on the straight and narrow, with all postural, and recovery needs. Thank you Zia Rides, New Mexico Mountain Bike Endurance Events, and Madduck Cyclery, the best Boutique Bike Shop in Dallas-Fort Worth for believing me over the years. Thank you Partners for all that you do for me, and Zoefitness Ambassadors. Thank you!
Going back and forth with 1st and 2nd was a blast, and definitely shows, where my improvement can come. I cruised by them ascending Mundy’s. Duh. Strength. They both passed by heading down Mundy’s. Duh. I was walking. I will need to practice that in full armor. And every climb, and straight away, I would pass, and we would cat and mouse, until that 4 hour mark. Then, for me, it was survival.
We are planning on doing HITT Canyon so I can do that when I’m fresh. I walk WAY too much of that. And I need to know if it’s the technicality. Or my allergy to power plants. I think, it’s my allergy to the power plant, at the top of the descent I don’t feel all that well, I have to slow down, and go slow, I always feel, like my brain isn’t working as well as it usually does. And then, as I get about a third of the way down, I begin to feel better, and I am riding more. The only way for me to test this, is to ride it when I’m not tired. If it’s the power plant allergy, I can muster through it, go slow, and work with it. Regardless, more practice. If the brain isn’t working right, because of the environment, then, all I can do is stay within my ability. And because of that, I never saw 1st or 2nd place again.
My new racing age is 50. And although my birthday isn’t until the 11th, I’m pretty damn stoked about it. I get a new age category. And instead of being on the top end of 40-49(in most of my races) or 45-49 in Triathlons, I am now the baby! 50-59. It feels great to say good bye to my 40’s and embrace all that life encompasses in these next 50-60 years.. I feel like I have finally figured my shit out, and that there is so much Good, and I have the ability to tap into it. Our lives are nothing more than the product of our thought processes. And really learning how to tap into the Power of the Universe. There is truly nothing that can hold me back. Well, except those stoopid limiting beliefs… just press swipe left on those!!
So 50. Here you are. To celebrate, we are going to Maui to stay at the Ritz, and I am going to race Xterra World Championship. And yes, I will be partying all year. May 4th is St. George 70.3, July is Xterra Beaver Creek, September the National Championships in Ogden, and then on to Maui in October. And every little local race to support my endeavors between now and then.
Once October is over, I go back into Long: the long, and the long, on top of the long. 2020 is my Ironman. It is likely I will do Arizona, for convenience, although a friend said she had always wanted to do Madison… Although Ironman has been a bucket list item, it is more important to be part of my race resume for coaching. I am really looking forward to the long on the long. And for now, I will say, I am really enjoying the short. 🙂
There is so much life to live, let me ask you, how can YOU live the life you truly deserve? What can you change? And more importantly, what do you have to let go of?
I will support AARP, they supported me when I was 1st getting started working with the aging population. Fresh out of college I was looking for resources to lead chair exercise, and lead St Joseph’s COPD class, and Green Private Residential. Where was I able to find a lot of those resources? AARP. And someone I know is very excited to get a discount a Denny’s.
So keep on keepin’ on. Thanks for checking in. And remember there’s only one way to go, forward.
-Coach Zoe