Racing the Trans North Georgia in 2016 was one of the most challenging, painful, and rewarding things I’ve done. Three years later, now that my emotional wounds have healed, I think I’m ready to give it another go. I didn’t do it in 2017 as it coincided with the solar eclipse (and the pain was still too near). I might have raced it in 2018, but I was set to graduate in May and had no idea where I’d be in August. My future had too much uncertainty. And it still does. I still have no idea where I’ll be this August, but I can’t use that excuse two years in a row. I do know that I’ll be somewhere, and right now I need something to look forward to. I’m planning to leave the Midwest sometime in April and should be settled somewhere long before the race.
Even though I should know what to expect, it’s hard to form an accurate mental picture of something of this magnitude. Just as before, I flip-flop between over-thinking and under-thinking it. I do know that I’ll be doing things a bit differently, like lightening the load. My rain jacket served no purpose, and I think I can substitute an emergency blanket for my rain-fly (which I only used as a blanket even though I carried both last time). I also carried at least a pound of trail mix from start to finish. There are enough stops along the way to carry minimal food, and trail mix really isn’t that appealing after several hours, much less days, of riding. I won’t need extra brake pads and certainly don’t need CO2 AND a pump. I’m hoping to get away with a lighter saddle as the Brook’s, while comfortable, is about a pound heavier than every other option. That’ll be something I sort out in training. Extra socks and underwear are definitely worth their weight though.
One of my biggest issues was battling allergies. I may start a preemptive regimen of Claritin the week before and/or carry some sinus relief medication. I also plan to train more this time: longer endurance rides leading up to the race, core/upper body work, and running/hiking. I wasn’t prepared for all the hike-a-bike sections on the third day. Hopefully this time won't be unnecessarily painful.
