The first two weeks of 2012 have been a memorable whirlwind.  I kicked it off by traveling to Madison for Cyclocross Nationals immediately followed by UCI Masters Cyclocross Worlds in Louisville.

Both events are quite daunting being only 15 months into my cyclocross adventure.  Going against guys who have been doing it for 5 to 10 years or more highlights the struggle even more.  Depth of experience handling your bike is more important the higher the stakes become, and my lack of skills were definitely exposed at both events.  I did not set any tangible results goals for either of these races, but rather plan use them as building blocks for next season and beyond.  I expect my persistence and hard work to pay off well down the road, as in year 2015 not 2012.

I tried to talk myself out of not racing Worlds, but I failed at convincing myself to stay home.  Excuses like needing a break from racing, I should focus on road training, the $150 cost for a UCI license, the competition is over my head and in general wondering if it's where I belong were not strong arguments.  My lifelong philosophy has been to place myself in uncomfortable situations and challenge my ability by going against the best.  The only way to understand and bridge the gap between where I am today and where the best are is to experience it first-hand.  This approach has always paid off for me.  While others give up or never try, I will put my head down, grit my teeth and grind away.  Sooner or later I will reach my personal best.  I decided now is not the time to change my philosophy.

Training leading up to these events was tricky for everyone because of the new later date for nationals.  Last year they were the second weekend of December, but now they're a full month past that timeframe.  Most everyone raced their state championships during early December, and because of Christmas and New Years it meant no racing until Nationals the first weekend of January.  Deciding the best approach to training wasn't an easy decision.  As a coach, I believe it depends on the stress applied prior and what your goals are afterwards.  I reached a point in late November where my top end fitness was solid, so I determined it was important to focus on aerobic and muscular endurance for the upcoming road season.  It doesn't take long during 'cross season to lose a bit of endurance.  With our collegiate road season travel begining in early February it does not give me much time to work on endurance.

Beginning with Thanksgiving's Burn the Turkey and all of December I concentrated on a higher volume at endurance pace, speed work, and a little bit of hill intensity to keep sharp.  I raced the UCI Kingsport and TN State CX Championship with a bit of fatigue built up, but that's a sacrifice I had to make.  I put in quite a few four and five hour rides, even one 6+ hour day, but I also sprinkled in a day or two here and there for active recovery.  I was more concerned with the CU kids since their last race would be early December followed by a whole month at home on their own before returning for the drive to Madison.  Add holiday dinners and home comforts and it can spell trouble, but the team proved ready for the challenge at nationals.

If you are a cyclocross racer then you know to be prepared for any scenario.  In my opinion, more forethought and planning are required for a cyclocross event than road racing.  Each time you travel is an opportunity to learn something new, same goes for road too, but especially in 'cross as it relates to challenging conditions you may face.  You can learn a lot by watching the more experienced riders, and then adapt accordingly if you can afford it.  It's impossible to buy everything all at once, but prioritize and get those things that can make the biggest difference for you today.  Then work on adding more to your toolbelt over time.

Wisconsin weather in January was another big worry for everyone.  They don't call Green Bay the Frozen Tundra for no good reason, and with Madison just two hours south people go ice fishing there too.  I imagined four scenarios we might encounter, only three of which you can plan for:
1st - “hope for”
2nd - “it will probably be”
3rd - “didn’t expect that at all”
4th - “please God not that”

I hoped for temperatures above 35 with sunshine and tacky mud.  I figured it would probably be well below 35 degrees and cloudy with snow, ice and frozen ground.  However, I didn’t expect there to be no snow at all and temperatures between 30 to 40 degrees with a lot of frozen ruts mixed with sloppy mud.  I prayed God would keep us all safe throughout, which He did, but I failed to ask for no mechanicals!  Broken derailer hangers and busted shifting have a way of deflating your spirits when your pit options are limited or non-existent.   More on “please God not that” stuff later.

I followed the forecast for weeks leading in and hoped we would not drive or race through a winter snow storm.  Cold temperatures are manageable, but snow and ice can make for a miserable situation.  In December 2010 we raced an MSG CX event that got blanketed with several inches of snow, and the frozen bikes became unrideable after a couple of laps.  If you are without a pit bike then you’re talking about a huge investment of time and money down the drain.  Snow is cool until you’re running with your frozen bike that’s now 40 pounds instead of 20, or worse, you end up with a DNF.  On that MSG trip I ended up having to drop our trailer at an I-40 rest stop on the Cumberland Plateau because of the snow and ice.

To be better prepared for any of those four scenarios I bought myself and the CU cycling team a few things I hoped would help.   I got a set of aluminum Real Design tubular wheels with Challenge Grifo 32s to help with handling.  All season long I have felt not having tubulars has been a limiter, and this proved to be true after Madison and Louisville.  If you do not have tubulars for cyclocross, then start saving now and get some for next season – preferably from locally owned Real Design.  I already had some great cold weather thermal gear for training and racing, but I bought some new head gear and two different pair of gloves for changing conditions.  I am already taking steps now to be even better prepared for these events next year.

For the CU team, my biggest concern was traveling safety.  It’s one thing to worry about yourself, but it’s another thing entirely when the lives of others depend on you through hazardous conditions.  I wanted to take our 16’ trailer, but I wasn’t about to pull it through a winter storm.  The forecast assured me pulling the trailer would be safe, which provided us more comfort in the van.  We have a generator, so I bought a space heater and portable light to use in order to warm up in the trailer on our trainers.  I learned my lesson in Bend last year after experiencing the cold snow and wet conditions during warm ups.  Being dry and warm for our race starts would be critical in Madison.  Fortunately for us, Saris was there with a huge warm tent filled with 50 Cycleops trainers for anyone to use.  We all warmed up there before our races, but at least we were prepared to fend for ourselves.  I provide the CU riders with some good upper body clothing and thermal gear, so staying warm is easier for them rather than hoping they will purchase their own.

We have been to Madison twice for collegiate road nationals, and that gave me comfort in what to expect from the city.  Madison is a cool area with a vibrant downtown, highlighted by their state capitol building.  Scheduling would not allow us this trip, but I highly recommend visiting downtown on Saturday morning.  They shut down the square around the capitol building as vendors set up tents and sell everything from cheese, baked goods, sausages, and arts and crafts of all kinds.  There is also a wonderful greenway system for biking all around the area, and the one around Lake Monona is especially cool.  I also highly recommend Gino’s Italian Deli on Verona Rd, delicious.  Just watch out for random guys walking up to loudly fart on you!

My job offers me the opportunity to regularly travel and compete at these kinds of events, and I realize most people are not as fortunate.  However, I encourage you to sacrifice, save, vacation, whatever it takes in order to compete or at least watch Nationals or Worlds next year.  Madison is only a 10 hour trip from Nashville, and Louisville is a short hop at only 2.5 hours.  Nationals offer an experience that surpasses anything you’ve been to, including a USGP, and it will be a madhouse for Louisville 2013 at Masters and Elite Worlds.  The stakes could not be any higher for all the competitors.  I am anxious to see the world’s best elite cyclocross racers compete – men, women, U23 and juniors.  I fully expect the Eva Bandman Cyclocross Park to become a zoo of ‘cross fanatics next January.  Make sure you are one of them!

In the end, all the stress of travel and planning paid off in mostly positive outcomes.  We experienced disappointment and unspeakable joy while living out all four scenarios.  Life would be pretty boring and predictable if we received “hope for” all the time, so I welcome a little bit of “please God not that” to make us better and stronger in the future.  I will prepare a separate post about the racing for myself and the CU team, as well as Andy Reardon's impressive performance at Worlds. 

At this stage in my life I get the most joy from watching my CU team and friends achieve success.  If I could bottle up that emotion and give it away for free I’d do so in a heartbeat.  As I type this now I am smiling misty eyed as I can see the CU team and Andy standing on the podium with medals around their neck.  Those memories will be forever stitched on my heart.