Mud Season Race Reflections

3-23 - Natchaug Epic, in Thompson CT

Also known as “The Quiet Hell.” This is a gravel “segment” race, meaning the overall winner of each distance is whoever has the lowest cumulative time on designated segments throughout the course (so not necessarily who crossed the finish line first). I did the 55 mile “Explorer” option, which had 3 timed segments at miles 27, 33, and 54. My strategy was to basically treat this as a hilly 4h Z2/tempo ride with three all out ~3-7m efforts sprinkled throughout and to conserve as much energy as possible everywhere else. Being a more anaerobic and explosive rider this format definitely suits my abilities. I’m much better at cranking out one-off hard efforts after some rest than sustaining a moderately hard effort for a longer duration.

I ended up having a great day, coming away with first overall in my distance and my first ever podium for a bike race. Occasionally during running and cycling races I’ve experienced a state of “flow,” and I felt that way during the timed segments. I was definitely at my limit in terms of the effort and my bike handling skills and I’m thankful I held it together. After each one I thought of “Did I just do that? That wasn’t me.” The best way I can describe it is it felt hard but also easy at the same time. 

My cumulative time across the 3 segments was only 12 seconds faster than 2nd place, so it was very close. Of course during the race you have no clue how you are doing compared to everyone else, so you just have to give it your all and hope it was enough. I probably wasn’t the most skilled or fastest rider in my category. But I happened to “play the game” better than anyone else in that category on that day, and that’s what racing is. This was supposed to just be a “tune up” for Pavement Ends a few weeks later, so I was beyond happy with the result, especially being so early in the year. 

I wish more races would adopt this segment “race” format. It seems a little safer than a traditional road race, since the “racing” is limited to just a few sections of road (for this race the segments were mostly on quiet dirt roads with little/no vehicle traffic, intersections, etc). It’s also interesting how you could technically cross the finish line last but still win. Plus you can take your time at the aid stations eating donuts and not feel too rushed.

4-12 - Pavement Ends Gravel Race, Henniker NH.

I signed up for the 30-mile “short” course (which somehow still featured 4,500ft of climbing). My original goal was top three overall. After my result at Natchaug Epic I was confident I could win and go 2/2 on the year. That was until the morning of the race, when the predicted 1” of snow throughout the night/morning turned to 5+. The race organizers made the right call to eliminate the long course, which meant everyone would compete in the 30-mile race. This and the weather (and the stressful 3 hour drive to get there) put me in a bad head space. When I realized my goal would no longer be attainable and that I would have a hard enough time just staying upright and finishing, I questioned why I was even doing it. I was honestly pretty miserable out there between various mechanical issues and a couple falls (thankfully the ground was soft). The sections of class VI and dirt roads were indistinguishable under the snow. The paved roads weren’t much better. I eventually crossed the finish line in the middle of the pack and about an hour later than I originally expected. 

This was a reminder of how much our expectations influence feelings of success and accomplishment after a race. Even though I did what I was capable of on that day given the circumstances, it wasn’t what I came there for or what I expected to achieve. Training had been going great and I felt really fit going into it. I was frustrated I couldn’t express it on the day, or even really feel like I was racing. Of course, even in the best of circumstances there are no guarantees in racing, and I shouldn’t have been so attached to a result like that, just because the last one went my way. The person who wins is the one who makes the most of their fitness, skills, and circumstances on that given day (and who has some luck). It wasn’t in the cards for me that day.

Now that some time has passed I am able to look back on the experience more fondly, and I’m glad I still did it. I’ll certainly never forget it and plan to be back next year. I just hope less year there will be a little less snow! 

Still a few more target races in the next couple of months, including Battenkill, Mine Hill Gravel, and Guilford Gravel Grinder. I hope everyone else’s spring racing and training is going well!