Anyone who has ever followed me through a technical section has had the privilege of overhearing my method for cleaning the tricky lines. Even now, I still talk myself through everything - simple reminders to look where I want to go, breath, relax and flow. Might be annoying to everyone else, but it serves me well, especially on a course like yesterday! It doesn't matter how many times I've ridden something - I'm always repeating those phrase.  I know what I was getting into - four laps of climbing, rocks and off camber descents. So instead of the standard race report, here's something a little different - a mental trip around the race course framed by my four key mantras.

Breathe

Lap one - pacing was so important on this race. I took a risk on the first lap - going out hard, trying to catch the Cat 1 40+ men who'd started ahead of the women. I didn't bridge the gap, but got into a solid position as we entered the first technical section. Breathe - take the time to set up the right line. Power when needed, get that front tire up over the rock and make the turn. Catch my breath, then finish out the rock garden and back into wide, smooth track. I made the entrance into Blackmere once cleanly, unclipped and dapped after the rock step twice and made the rock step but bobbled the turn into the rock garden on the last lap. Pretty good for me on that section. Then the climb up Blackmere - steady, control the power and breathe. Don't go out too hard on the gradual bottom half of the climb. Be ready for the top and where it gets fun.  Keep breathing, keep focused on what's in front of me. Accelerate into the rock garden, get the power going, then breathe and ride. Remember each line as the rocks approach.  Once off Cougars Shadow, recover and regroup - breathe and enjoy the trip back down to the start.

Keep drinking and monitor what your body is saying - it's a muggy morning for Colorado and there's a long way to go. You went out hard, now be smart.

Relax

Lap 2 - it's impossible to ride fast and cleanly when tense.  I keep telling myself to relax. Climb hard but comfortable up Blackmere, keeping the pedaling smooth and relaxed so I don't spin out on the loose gravel. Don't fight the bike, take each moment after the rock gardens to gather myself and relax - recover for the next stretch. I never rode everything on Cougar's Shadow, missing something different each lap. After flubbing or dabbing on a rock, I had to refocus. Relax and focus on the next section. What's done is done and trying to regain time will only mean more sloppy riding. Coming off Cougar's Shadow, back onto the off camber turns of Blackmere, then down on Boulder Run. Take the time to processes each rock, read the lines. Keep the arms relaxed, moving on the bike to make each little piece. Narrow trail, tight corners in places, watch that rear wheel. Brake wisely, then relax to let the bike do the work.

I was able to ditch my camelbak and get a fresh waterbottle at the end of lap two - a weight off my shoulders as the sun had risen high and nary a shadow was to be found on the climb.

Float and Flow

Lap 3 - time to settle into the pace, find the flow of the trail if I haven't already. At this point, I should feel at ease with the climb - which means it's time to push the pace if I can. Flow fits everything, from climbing to descending. Look where you're going, allow the wheels to flow and float over the rocks. Find the smoothest path, the trail of least resistance up Turkey Trot again. There's a flow up and over that hill, then comes Sundance. Wider trail, but the corners come so quickly, the bike has to float. The climb up Blackmere - getting hard at this point. It's such a long way, winding up and westward from the parking lot. But even that trail has it's flow - pedal, attack the steeps, then settle into the rhythm again. Floating becomes even more important on the hard tail - I have to remember to stand up more and let my legs become the suspension. Especially on the tricky lines of Cougars Shadow. Move the bike, keep the weight back, flow over the rocks and on to the next thing.

Another fresh water bottle - I was drinking plenty due to the heat and could feel the sweat drenching my skin. The half unzipped jersey provided only little respite from the heavy air.

Ride your bike

Lap 4 - the stupid tireds always come into play at some point in a race. That's when I have ride my bike. Go slow to go fast, ride smart not strong. I knew that last lap would be a challenge. Four time up Blackmere, four times across Cougar's Shadow. The fatigue would be intense, sapping the strength needed to race cleanly. Ride my bike - be smart about where I am looking, what gear I am in. I've done this trail enough times, I know the lines. I know where I need to get off and run. I'm prepared for every rock. I just need to ride my bike. No racing, no chasing. Be in the moment, aware of where the trail is going. The stupid mistakes always come when I'm either not being smart or trying to hard to chase. Missing one obstacle can be offset by slowing down and planning, then riding the next three. Thanks to the pre-ride, I felt comfortable on all the rocks. I wasn't clean, but I stayed upright and safe. Then the final descent - with so many simple little rocks that lurked, waiting to throw an unsuspecting rider into the dust. Ride my bike, eyes on the trail. Don't take any chances - just ride my bike.

Finished with a fully unzipped jersey and a smile. Fun, hot and hard racing. I'd managed to catch all but one of the Junior men, as well as a number of the single speeders. I hadn't managed to catch any other of the Cat 1 men. Always a work in progress, always my goal. I'd gone out hard, then stayed consistent with my lap times. Improvement comes from taking risks and challenging the status quo. One of these days....