In the same boat. Training for XC race season (1-2 hours) and a brutal MTB 
Marji Gesick (12-16 hours).
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As mentioned in a previous thread my A race will be the Leeds leg of the AJ Bell Triathlon, Olympic Distance.
It will be my second Tri, with the first one being my āwarmupā race 3 weeks prior.
Any tips specific to the Leeds race from any previous athletes (or 2019 ones for that matter) much appreciated!
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Iāve done this race the past few years (with varying results). Itās a great race, love the organizer and his events are always worth the trip. What field are you racing? Itāll be an A- or B+ race for me in the 123.
Looks like my first A race of the season is going to be Valley of the Sun coming up in just six short weeks. Iāve been snake bit at this race the past two years (flat in the TT in 2017 and crashed out of the RR in 2018) and am hoping to finally get a solid finish this year
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One A race for 2019: Aug 18: Ironman Copenhagen.
Before that, are B races:
May 12: Montenegro Ocean Lava 70.3
Jun 2: Rapperswil (Switzerland) 70.3
Jul 5-7: Long Course Weekend Wales (Fri: 2.4mi swim, Sat: 112mi bike, Sun: 26.2mi run)
Jul 21: Ironman Zurich
Plan for 2020 is to step back from tri and do long gravel fondos.
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Crank the Kanc - A 21.3 mile hill climb time trial that gains 2340 ft going up the west side of the Kancamagus highway through White Mountain National Forest here in New Hampshire. This is an event that I have eyed for a few years now but just havenāt fit into the schedule. I am determined to make it happen this year.
Not sure why I decided to make a hill climb my A race given that I at 6ā-1" and 200 lbs Iām not exactly the prototype of a climber, but it gives me something to train for and should let me carry some good fitness into the local summer crit series (which is on flat roadsā¦much more my terrain of choice).
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Trying to figure out if I should sign up for the 50 or 35 mile version of the Carson City Off-road. Iāve been off the bike for basically 4 years and have an ftp of 220 and have an ftp/kg of 2.3. As a new night shift worker with a varying schedule Iāve had a hard time staying consistent. My current 6 wk avg TSS is just over 200. At 5ā 11" 210+ lbs, and at 41 Iām not sure if I can get in good enough shape to make it anything but a death march in 6 months.
VOS is always a good time, that TT is the key to a good GC place.
-Kyle
Iād like to be competitive in all 3, but Iām trying to be realistic. The sprint for that race is flat, fairly wide open, and Iām reasonably sure I can survive all the selections. The finish is up a reasonably steep short climb, which doesnāt favor me as much (Iām slightly over 90kg in the 3.75 watt/kg range). I did well in the time trial last year (16th), but I was a.full minute down on the best rider and I donāt think Iām going to make that up. The crit is very technical and Iām not a good bike handler, so I donāt anticipate mixing it up with the best there. QED, focus on what Iām best at and try to win the Sprint jersey.
Thatās a big year of racing!
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Thatās why I like it - not many opportunities to get upgrade points based on the strength of your TT
Indeed, I used it to help me get a good chunk of points for my 3 to 2 upgrade a few of years ago.
I want to do VOS so bad and we have a team going, but getting time off work and someone to watch the dog is a challenge. Itās a cheap and fun race.
Go for it! Guess it depends how far away youāre coming from but itās a fun race.
Yeah my 3-2 points came mostly from stage races, although I never did VOS as a 3. Got 5th in the 2 field TT last year before going down on a dropped bottle in the feedzone in the road race
I totally agreeā¦ and I also arrange a series of British Cycling approved races. My experience of arranging these races is: Everyone gets angry at the idea of paying Ā£15 to race. The idea that you might make enough money to arrange āextrasā to create a fun environment/atmosphere is offensive to most racers. Once Iāve taken the Ā£15 entry payments, I have to pay almost all of it back to British Cycling as fees, and the rest is prize money. Most guys racing these events race ALL the races throughout the year, so their family and friends donāt give two ****'s about coming to watch.
Sportives on the other handā¦ people will pay more, be up for a laugh because the stakes arenāt as high, and for many itās one of the few events theyāll do on a bike in the year so their dutiful family members will come and cheer people on! Itās no surprise that these kind of events are so much more enjoyable.
Thereās certainly a place for both, right?!
For mountain biking, Marathon Nationals in Palo Duro, Texas. Itās my home state, so why not? Iām really just looking to improve on myāahemāterrible performance last year at Iron Mountain in Arkansas. I finished, but it was ugly. Iād like to improve upon my time and finish a lot stronger than I did in 2018.
On the CX side, Iāve got:
Jingle Cross
Resolution CX
Ruts N Guts
CX State Championship
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Like Chad in yesterdayās podcast, Iām trying to train for fitness, and race if Iām fit.
My training cycle allows for 70.3 Oman in March, Brighton Marathon in April, IM Lanza in May, a 70.3 in July and IM Italy in September. Iām only signed up for the marathon which is a B race.
Wow. 
I was originally planning for Copenhagen, so itās still a maybe for me.
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Ouch, that sucks. That RR race is usually pretty safe.
I had a pretty unremarkable VOS myself last year, after a poor TT and getting into the break after our group caught the Olympic Triathlete whoād been allowed to go up the road with a couple of others but we were caught on the final climb. The Crit is always a survival game for me.
Can anyone tell me how to find out about the Masters Natās RR course. My newness at this prompts my question. Iām sure it will be hard. Thank you.
Thereās no info on it. But if anything, itāll be something like the Air Force RR in the spring and the CO state RR in August.
One long climb - two distinct ones get used: spring RR itās a long 12-ish min climb that starts gentle then gets pretty steep towards the end. The other main climb is about 8 or so mins long starts out like a bitch and then false flat for the last 1/2 mile. Rest of both these races have three or four punchy 1-2 min climbs with fast and some steep descents. Both of the long punishing climbs come before the finish.
Air Force RR in spring: 13.17 miles 808ā of climbing per lap Main climb: 3.47 miles 734ā gain 4%
CO state RR: 8.74 577ā gain per lap. Main Climb: 2.02 miles 385ā gain 4%
Or they could go in a totally different direction and not use Air Force base at all
Iceman Cometh
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