Final Prep for Lotoja 2013

So it's officially the week of the big event, and with that, it's officially taper week.  This is the week that training for Lotoja is over and now it's a matter of tapering just right so that the day of the big ride the legs feel fresh and ready to go.  I always enjoy taper week.  I know that whatever I do this week won't help my fitness in any way for Lotoja.  I've already done all I can and in that way it lowers my stress.  I know now that it's basically a "ready or not" type of thing.

Though it's still about 5 days away I can already feel the nerves starting to surface.  I'm doing my best to just relax and soak it in.  I felt last year that it all went by so fast and though it was exciting and fun it was over before I knew it.  This being my second year I hope to enjoy things a bit more.  As for my goals this time around I only have one, to beat last years time.  I'm about 5lb lighter and I feel I'm climbing a bit better but I actually have ridden a little bit less in preparation.  I hope that doesn't come back to bite me.  Also, I realize that the weather was about as perfect as it has ever been at Lotoja last year, hence all the records that were set, so I can't expect it to be the same this year.  Plus, my support was perfect last year so I know it will be a miracle if that is repeated as well.  Still, I have hope that I can do better than my first year.  I mean, you should always do better than year first year, right?

But I've done all I can do at this point.  The bike has new tires and I have a new chain and cassette on as well, (it just needed the new chain and cassette anyway).  Everything else on the bike looks good and it seems to be riding quiet.  I now can only hope for a smooth ride overall.

On an unrelated topic, we bought new skis and binding and boots for the kids yesterday at one of the big Labor Day sales they have every year.  We felt that it was time for them.  Time to get off of their crappy rental gear and onto some nice stuff.  They are at the point were they want to ski powder and have fun in it so we felt it was right.  I think we'll be able to use it for 2 seasons and then sell what can't be reused at that time.  I tried to convince the kids that this was their only Christmas present but they weren't buying it.(spoiled kids) I think I am more excited about the new gear then they are.