Race Anecdotes: Winning isn’t everything

For two of my teammates, Lisa and Brittney, the Lookout Mountain Hill Climb was a focal race. They wanted to do well (don’t we all) and I wanted to be there for them for it.

Lisa asked if I’d pre-ride the course with her. Riding Lookout isn’t the same as racing it. We went over different strategies:

• Clipping in fast at the start
• The best line to take through the hairpin turns
• Where the course flattens out
• Positioning herself in the pack
• Finishing

I’m no professional and I don’t pretend to be. I gave Lisa what little advice I could offer her.

Brittney raced Lookout last year and was anxious about her results for the race. I can call myself a “semi-pro” at stress and anxiety when it comes to race results (maybe just life in general). I struggled last year focusing more on results than the journey, personal goals, and overall improvement.

I gave her the words and tips I needed to hear last year. We talked about personal goals for the race instead of “not coming in last.” In helping Brittney decide that she was going to clip-in flawlessly at the start and PR the finish, I helped myself.