SEA OTTER 2026: THE PLAN WAS...

THERE ARE FIGHTERS and there are wannabe fighters. We all identify with every type because at some point we've been there...

... battling our competitors and our minds.

Executing the plan,
get into Leadville.

But, as the great Mike Tyson sagely said...

... Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.

Which is what the start of every race always feels like.

Today, was no different.

5-4-3-2-1 and we're all redlined hitting the opening climb...

... aiming to enter the single track at the top leading, or right there.

Because after that, the next 5 miles are very difficult to pass.

Too narrow.

And, there's lots of passing to be done as we generally roll up on the group that started ahead pretty quickly.

During the first 5 miles...

• Me
• Dean
• and Greg

... our podium was pretty much set.

We traded pulls that first lap,
and entered the second and final lap on the same time.

Here is where I had to make a decision...

• Greg was distanced just a bit
• Dean seemed to be slightly struggling
• The Ol' Diesel was feeling pretty good

... race for the podium or for a good time?

They are different things.

I decided to just ride my pace.

A gap slowly opened,
then, a lot.

I couldn't see them.

Just settled in.

Stayed on top of my nutrition,
kept the pace at tempo or above...

... as much as I could.

20 minutes later,
Dean, that crafty sunnavagun,
was closing on a longish climb.

Race for the podium or stay on pace?

I stayed on pace, 
the gap opened back up...

... and I kept my helmet on a swivel the rest of the way in.

Let me just pause for a moment and reflect on how good it felt to be out on my bike and riding well. It had been a rough last couple of days on several fronts, and this morning...

... I just wasn't feelin' it.

Surfergirl sensed it.

You okay?

I dunno.

You're gunna do great.

Not sure I care.

Some days are like that,
sometimes it's on raceday
sometimes it's on workday
sometimes on familyday.

We always have a choice...

... to buckle up and fight
or not.

I'm glad I did.

All went according to plan, except like a newb I neglected to look at the time I should be shooting for: sub 5:10.

5:11
FTW.

I'll gladly take that and the gold coin allowing me entry in Leadville.