Progression: the process of developing gradually towards a more advanced state.
That key word, gradually. A sometimes-frustrating time construct for me to endure. But that ‘more advanced state’ ideal does have a certain ring to it. And if I have to endure something, it might as well be on a bike!
The German Bundasliga race, in Titisee–Neustadt, marked the end of my second European racing block. After the Lenzerheide World Cup, I was struggling to get the legs moving again. I still really wanted to race and do well, but my body had other ideas. I had predicted this as the same thing happened last year after a similar amount of time overseas. The constant address changes and intense racing builds up and I was just glad the slump in performance hadn’t occurred in Lenzerheide. The track in Titisee had a bit of a different vibe to it than most other tracks, with the majority of the climbing done on dirt roads. But of course the singletrack still made an appearance and certainly made up for any misgivings about the road sections. The singletrack was fast and flowing with some steeper technical sections thrown in to keep you on your toes.
Ultimately, the Bundasliga race was a total disaster. My top end power had diminished considerably and any forays past my limit on one climb would leave me ragged for the next. The course was proving fun to race on though with small groups forming and then disintegrating on the dirt road climbs. Towards the end of the race my laps times were all over the place and I was pretty much done. Starting the climb on the last lap I began to cramp, and whatever positions I had managed to hold onto until now, quickly floated away. Gradual development – aside from the Bundasliga race, each race of this block has been an improvement on the last – what advanced state can I build to over this year? Only time can answer that question. But no matter what happens or how gradually it occurs. As long as it’s moving forward, it’s a success.
The next few weeks will mark the interlude of this season. The time will now be spent putting together the pieces at altitude in Livigno for the last chapter of this trip. This will be my first training camp at altitude and will serve as one part training camp, and one part experiment to see how I react to the altitude for the coming years.
Progression: the process of developing gradually towards a more advanced state.