Frank 4 Week Coaching

When you register for fistfulofdirtrace the sheriff doesn’t hide that you should bring your grit, salt, and wide tires because you are in for a big day. As we lined up the morning talk was the forecast, it was promising to be hot! The start was a little more civil this year, maybe because of the stout headwind. Once on the dam road (this stretch is incredible), the pace picked up a bit and I wondered when the first selection was coming; just as expected, right at the base of the dam. Seven of us were left at the top heading towards the gravel, where the real work would begin. At the West end of Buffalo Bill Reservoir, the moto pulled off, and into the hills we went. Every once in a while someone would throw down an effort to test the legs of the group, and everyone would respond, this group was strong. Then the #whiskeygravel started to claim its victims. After a couple of flats and thrown chains, the group was down to four. Over the next 30ish miles, all of us spent time off the front or chasing back on back on, then there were 3…  Oh goodie, here comes miles of sandy two-track. Our group of three started separating a bit in here and then it happened. Bam! Over the bars and on my back sprawled out in the high desert. I jump back on, do a quick scour that I have everything, and get back to pedaling. Damn, the bike landed drive side, and yes, my shifting was not right… Oh well, such is racing. From here on I had to be conscious about my shifts to avoid throwing the chain off the top and anticipate where I needed to be for the missed and double shifts. In the distance loomed the McCullough peaks. I worked my way through putting out the power I had to and conserved where I could. At the end of the climbing, I could feel a twinge in my hamstrings and knew that I was going to be fighting off cramps before this thing was done.  I staved off those cramps for the last 15 miles as I dumped out onto the pavement, into the single-track, and finally town, knowing the finish was near. I ended my day 2nd OA with an AG win. Time to recover a bit badmedicineride is in 5 days.     #medalmonday #honeystinger #treefarm307 #imafascat #rockymtntreeandturfsupply #orangemud