After reflecting on my failed CTR I guess I have a few thoughts.
I must move to flat pedals and I need to install a much easier gear for slow-pedal spinning even if that is contrary to my usual riding/climbing style. I don't think my achilles are going to hold up any other way.
But mainly I've thought a lot about whether I should/could have continued on. My achilles hurt like hell in 2013, but I was halfway across Cataract/Coney and I didn't really have any choice but to keep fighting through it. Through that I discovered that after crunching through the pain each time I resumed hiking or riding, the pain would ease up and eventually I was able to cope with it.
Last year my achilles blew up into intense pain right as I rode the final stretch into Buena Vista. Maybe I could have persevered like the year before, but I could not convince myself to leave the comforts of civilization to face the very hard trek to Silverton. I convinced myself that the pain was much worse this year, but now I'm not so sure.
After finishing in 2013 it took a month of recovery before I could ride or hike again. I was severely hobbled for 3 days this year, but I was able to recover much quicker and was back on to fairly big adventures about 5 days after dropping out.
My situation calls to mind an important point that Mark Caminiti has repeatedly made about the necessary ingredients for CTR success, specifically his point #6 below regarding injury:
6. Injury. What happens when you have body issues? The will to continue the journey when dealing with pain is very important for all racers, not just fast ones. I had to deal with intense pain in 2012 in AZT and CTR. I ended up taking one aspirin in 25 days though I dealt with a heel/achilles injury in Arizona and a stress fracture in the lower leg in CTR. Do you have that drive to succeed? Even if it means your elapsed time sucks in comparison to others or your goal? Many folks quit because their final time would be not good enough or they cant break a record, etc.
People have correctly remarked that it was a slower field in the 2014, but personally I was having a great race. Aside from my achilles I felt fantastic mentally and in every other way. So I admit that knowing I would have to watch everyone I had been racing near ride away from me if I continued was another tough mental challenge to face.
I'm married this year and was feeling guilty about the possibility of ruining myself for months after the race when my wife had already made big sacrifices leading up so I could train so much.
Live and learn.... as I've said, I had a great time even if quitting leaves a very sour taste in my mouth.
But there was also a silver lining. My wife found out she was pregnant the day after I dropped out! So I am very glad that I was there to share and support her as she found out that great news. We are going to have a little baby girl sometime around April 1.
So there will be no bikepacking races for me in 2015, although I'd love to do some 1 or 2 nighters at a decent pace with any good folks training for the CTR or whatever else this summer.
As for me, I've picked out a few 1-day marathon races to focus on. I've built up a very nice endurance base these last couple years as I've been laser-focused on the CTR. I hoping to throw in a little speed training, interval-type stuff for the first time in my life to see if I can get sorta fast.
So I registered for the full Gunnison Growler in May, and then I hope to peak for the Firecracker 50 and Breck 100 in July.
Usually I get lazy and fat every November/December, but I have been training hard so I'm feeling great right now. Hoping to be in great shape when the baby comes and my sleep get cut way back.
I'm not done with bikepack races by a long shot though. I know I'll be back for the CTR again someday because there is nothing in the world that can satisfy my thirst for adventure like that thing can. Hopefully I will come back stronger, but mostly wiser.
