JayP

JayP's Blog RSS

• Friday, March 14, 2008

  Post Race Blues

  

  There is always a period of time immediately after, that I constantly rehearse the events, decisions, discussions and moments of the race. Whether it was good, bad, happy, sad, successful or unsuccessful it is all analyzed and absorbed with hopes to learn from it and not harp on it to much. I think it is important to do, but try not to get to caught up in it as it could also turn into an unhealthy thing.

  The recent decision of pulling off the trail early, with my hopes to make it to Nome has got me thinking more then ever. Even though I think back and say well at least I won the race to McGrath, that wasn’t my goal.

  A few things learned. I wasn’t patient enough. I let my emotional feelings affect my decision. I made a decision at a weak time. I let other people’s decisions affect mine. I even mumbled several times before the race I wasn’t going to push my bike all the way to Nome. I should have told myself I will do anything it takes to make it to Nome even if it means pushing all the way there. The bottom line is I never thought about what I would do if I even thought about stopping early. I will now have a plan for future events on what to do if I am in the same state mind of pulling out early. It is extremely hard to make rational decisions out there after days on the trail, lack of sleep, insufficient nourishment and a shot out mind running with emotions and other random morbid thoughts.

  Maybe one of the reasons I am beating myself up for my decision is because this is the first time I have had some sponsorship, financial and product support. Also, the local friendly support from friends, workers, and just the people that like to live vicariously through my adventures is unbelievable and felt inside. The old friends from NJ and my family that I don’t really keep in contact with touch me deeply when I see a message or hear from ya. The 3500+ views under the message board of JayP shows me how much support and belief people have in me. When I am on automatic pilot day in and day out I think about everybody and make it point to think about all the things in my life. Everybody has believed in me and I feel as if I have let everyone down including myself.

  The hardest part about all this is it will be 2 years before the same route is available as the route rotates year to year between the north and south route. There will always be a piece of my mind unsettled until I complete the North route.

  Thanks for reading my ranting blues. Time, fun, a new focus and some tastey beers will help band aid this till 2010.

  Check back in a few days for a more positive fun read on my win to McGrath and journey to Koyoukuk with lots of pics.

  Thanks.

  

Upcoming

24 Hour Solo World Championships

Partners

Orbea
CrankBrothers
Princeton Tec
WTB
Zeal Optics
Carousel Design Works
Atomic-Nordic
Slime
Fitzgerald's Bicycles
NUUN

Contact JayP