DEAR OL' DIESEL, THIS YOUNG BUCK NEEDS HELP

DEAR OL' DEISEL, can ya help a young feller out?  I can't decide if I should race the BWR Waffle or Wafer.

Last year, I was training for the Wafer, training was going really well so at the last second I signed up for the longer, brutal-er Waffle.

The very next day, I got sick.

At the race, I went out too hard, way beyond my threshold, and had to limp the last 65 miles, to just finish.

I made so many rookie mistakes, ugh.

Power was down 100 watts from normal,
heart rate was still high.

I've got young kids, and training time is limited.

In 2028, I turn 40 and plan to take on the Leadville 100 MTB race.

Should I continue to focus on long distance endurance like the Waffle or back it down to the Wafer?

Dear Buck,

I feel for ya, limping home weak and broken is a terrible scenario.

Let's be real.

Having a young family is...

• sleep deprived nights
• full-time work to keep 'em clothed and fed
• teaching correct principles and how life works

... the most beautiful and challenging blessing
 any of us will ever enjoy.

That's the prime directive...

• protect
• provide
• love the family.

.. always.

That said, the Ol' Diesel gets it because we raised 3 youngins ourselves.

The yearn to find out how far we can push ourselves physically is real, and always calling.

When the littles were around, I always tried to have one event every year.

Kept me fit...

• mentally
• physically
• spiritually

... to do all the providin' and lovin'.

You already know this...

... do the Wafer.

It fits your needs better.

Remember, doing our best on RaceDay means meeting the...

• challenges
• responsibilities
• time constraints

... while taking care of the best part of our lives.

Family first, Buck!

PS One day, you'll be an Ol' Diesel, too... all the time in the world, and the satisfaction of knowing we did all we could do.