the last month

The last few weeks went by way too fast. I had taken a little time of reduced volume training after Subaru Cup about a month ago in preparation for cross and then was just getting back into a good training zone when I got sick. And it wasn't just a little sick, it was more sick than I have been in a long time. It must have been a super bug because it cleaned me out good for about 5 days straight. It wasn't like I had the flu or a fever, just really bad stomach issues and other than having to go to work, I laid on the couch with zero energy and zero appetite. I lost a ton of weight in those 5 days, I was down about 10lbs. It was pretty bad. I was just about to make the call to skip Chequamegon but on Monday of last week I started feeling better and Tuesday I was back on the bike albeit just turning the pedals over. I didn't really have any legs untill Thursday but I decided I'd better do Chequamegon since I hadn't raced in a month and I didn't want to go to USGP next weekend without at least one race back in.

Chequamegon went allright all things considered I guess. I wasn't expecting much so when I made the lead group after OO I was pretty happy. I could tell I had missed a good bit of training and the power wasn't all the way back yet, but the efforts weren't too far over my head, I just didn't have enough endurance at that 85% zone. I made it over Firetower with the front group, but it was in peices at that point. I just dangled about 10ft behind Matter and McCarty as we went onto the last of the Birkie trail and I just couldn't close the gap to wheel. Slowly over the Birkie I watched them ride away. That was the end of it for me, I rolled in the rest of the way by myself. I kinda thought I'd get caught by a group by the end but I didn't. I knew going into the race that I wasn't going to be in it for the win most likely, but it was one of the few times I've felt alright about a somewhat mediocre result.

The next few weeks will be super busy. It's going to be tough to try and build some of that lost training back into the schedule since I'll be racing the next 4 weeks in a row, but I think that it will be ok. I had a great summer of training and I'll probably just try and race into top shape over the next month and see how it goes. I'll be doing Madison USGP, then out to Gloucester followed by the Rhode Island race and then Louisville USGP. A busy month but it's going to go by quick. Bikes are dialed and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season starting.