Bristol bike fest 12 - DNF

Endurance racing (and I bet any other sport...) is not all about to be on the top at all the time. Everyone has a better and worst days. During my the last two races I was lucky, but yesterday Fortuna stuck her middle finger up for me. 

After Erlestoke 12 I was very excited about Bristol bike fest. Seen the entry list it looked a fun battle. Unfortunately my last two weeks were not even close to the ideal recovery weeks. I just couldn't get enough sleep and I had a lots of stress as well. Honestly, it was a bit dumb idea to start this race.

On the race's morning I wake up a bit dizzy and I didn't feel the big fire inside. I tried to make my "fighting" mood better with a bit of caffeine and a loud Korn and Motorhead session....but it did not change anything. 

The start was the usual (idiot) running style one. When I got on my bike, the beginning the course was ramped already and lots of slower rider hold up other people. On the first 2k single track session you hardly had any chance to take over slower riders.... Thanks God, course started to clear up after the third lap...but my legs were not working properly and I couldn't push hard. I was tired , my legs felt heavy, my heart rate didn't wanna go up, it was too cold and I felt sleepy... I tried to shake up myself but it didn't help. I could hold 30-31 minutes laps, but it felt a hard effort. After the 6th lap I known, my race is over. Probably I could hold up until the end of the race and may be finish reasonably well, but I didn't enjoy it. I had some flash backs from past races when I made bad decisions and I struggled with recovery and lack of training after it. My next 24 hour solo race is 4 weeks away. I know, 4 weeks is enough time to recover physically! But not enough to cure a broken mind and get proper training in if you destroyed and not focused. I had a huge battle in my mind during the 7th and 8th laps, but my "better" half won and I pulled the break levers after the 8th lap. 

Was it a good decision? I don't know yet.... my coach reckons, it is a good move, but we are going to see it 4 weeks time in Plymouth! 

Now couple of days rest coming up and I dig myself in the preparation to Bontrager 24!