Self-Propulsion

Why am I spending so many posts talking about pre-running and all the things I have, and we have not even started the race yet? Because it mirrors how life really is. It’s mostly preparation. The high moments are made possible by endlessly readying ourselves for them. Learning logically, trying, learning emotionally and physically, adjusting, trying again…it’s all part of growing and growing again. That IS the journey.

As we neared LaPaz and the finish line, I envisioned being in the race. The pain fell away because I knew it would be over soon. Spontaneously, I got emotional and screamed out in my helmet. “Ahhhhh!” I will finish! It was the desire in me coming out all at once, willing to make the sacrifice.

I increased my speed in the sand whoops and started wheel tapping them – a technique where you pull the front wheel up over the troughs and let it touch just the tops of the whoops. You can go a lot faster in the whoops this way, but it takes a lot more energy and mistakes can happen very fast. I was encouraged I was able to do this on day five. I put a huge gap on the guys behind me.

Ten miles before the finish, there was a section called “The Waterfall.” There was no water involved; just a very steep decent marked by continuous ledges that dropped vertically to the next and the next. We navigated the drop-offs and I used my motocross skills on this much heavier bike.

At the bottom, the course made its way out to the paved roads of LaPaz. Crowds of fans were waiting to see pre-running vehicles come out to their home city three weeks before the race. As we made our way through the city, bands of muscles across my back just below my shoulder blades were screaming at me, and screaming loud. It was almost unbearable. I couldn’t wait to get off this bike.    

Our pre-run trip was over. I had seen the course over five days. Tanner had not, although he did see all the team pit stop points and what was around them. Now it was time for both of us to fly home, heal up, and make a precise race plan based on what we had learned.

I know the best way to make a fear go away, is to face the thing you fear. I was more optimistic about the race now than I was before riding the 1134 miles. 

Whatever was to happen, there was no turning back…