For those of you who were following along. I didn’t finish Lead Challenge. Once again, I was cut-off on the bike, this time at sixty-three miles. Then cut-off on the run a week later at…sixty-three miles.

While I felt ‘stronger’ on the bike I wasn’t faster. For three years in a row, I came into the forty-mile mark at the same exact time – literally, you can’t get closer - four hours and seven minutes exactly. The run was a bit different. I was significantly faster and stronger but fatigue from the races slowed me to a crawl once I was on the big climbs. A big sign that durability was a problem.

It’s finally here. The taper for my last three events for Lead Challenge—The Leadville 100 Mountain Bike, The Leadville 10k Run and the Leadville 100 Run.

Tapering.

The magical final stretch of training where you dial things back to rest, recover, and prime your body for race day. On TrainingPeaks, where I plan my workouts for myself and my athletes, it looks amazing — fewer miles, more rest, and fresh legs. But in reality? For many athletes, myself included, it’s a mental minefield.

The mindfulness journey isn’t to a mountain top destination. Some will say there is a path, but trust me, there isn’t. You’ll wander a bit. Maybe get to take a training or go to a retreat. Your mind will likely say ‘you’re doing it wrong’ or ‘why bother.’

There is no wrong.

Take a slow deep breath. Notice the air filling up your lungs. Notice the sounds and smells around you. Come back to right here, right now, in the present moment.