This has been my first real racing season, following a training plan based on Joe Friel’s training bible. At the beginning of the season I set my goals. These need to be measurable, within our control, must be somehow stretch you and should be stated  in the positive.

Season Goals

1. Complete Sea Otter Classic in less than 1:45
MISSED: Sea Otter is my A-priority race. I got there unmotivated and late and ended up in 1:53:22, a mere 5 mins improvement from previous year.

2. Achieve one podium in any race (A,B,C)
DONE!: I hit a 3rd place in Lake Sonoma Series and a 5th place out of 12 racers on CCCX #9. Possibly my best placement ever.

3. Place in the top 50% in most of the races in XC Beginner Class
DONE!: I raced 12 times with average position at 53% of the field, excluding one DNF. Is not as good as I wanted but in many cases the field was small (and fast).

Training Goals

1. Drop below 195# (88.5kg) by 4/1/2008
MISSED: Not by much, but my lowest weight came down to 197# (at the end of March)
2. Climb Kennedy by the end of the season in less than 0:42
DONE!: On September 6th I climbed Kennedy in 41:50 during the Kings of Kennedy informal time trial. (results also posted here)
3. Develop a good pre-race warm up routine
DONE!: Or at list I think I got a decent routine, there’s definitely room for improvement on this one,but I guess it will come with experience.

All in all I think it was a good season: I learned that a good training plan is very important to identify and achive our goals.

The last few races I also learned how much we get used to our equipment and gear and how important it is to keep them in good working order.

Downieville Classic was the biggest lesson, that’s where fitness, training technique, hydration and nutrition all come together.

Now off to setting goals for next year and then start training again.