Lee Waldman: Reflection and Gratitude at the End of the Cyclocross Season
Take some time to look back on the season because soon enough it will be time to do it again
My 2023 cross season ended on December 2 at our state championships. Being the race director, I learned the hard way how difficult it is to serve two masters.
On one hand I had planned to ride my race after having a really strong outing the week before. I wanted to build off that momentum heading into the off season.
I also had the responsibility of making sure the race ran smoothly for everyone else at the venue. Sadly, after standing out in 40 mph wind gusts and close to freezing temperatures, I had to recognize my limitations and accept the impossibility of racing at an event I was directing. After being at the course for the better part of the two days leading up to the racing and then beginning race day at 4 am, I was done by the time I thought about kitting up to race in the afternoon.
That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news, in past years I would have forced myself to race, knowing full well that it was a mistake. My race would have been a disaster, and I would have spent the following week alternatively beating myself up for a bad race and struggling with self-doubt.
This year I didn’t go through those mental gymnastics. I find myself writing this piece today comfortable with the decisions that I made.
But like in Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant”, I didn’t come here today to talk about my race, I came to talk about gratitude and about reflection. Reflecting back on past performance, for me at least, is the way that I continue to improve every season. I’m turning 74 this May with no plans to stop in the foreseeable future.
After racing cyclocross for almost half a century, I’m still learning. Looking back on this past season, I believe that it was one of, if not the best, season in that 40-plus years.
I race with 60+ men because there isn’t a 70+ category. Because of that, my results aren’t anything to write home about. But technically, I ride better now than ever before. My transitions, my cornering, and even my starts have improved. Not by magic, but because I’m conscious of what I do well and what needs work.
How do you reflect on your season? Do you think back on your season, perhaps listing the good, the bad, and yes, the ugly?
Here’s one thing I like to do at the end of the season. Take a moment and list the things that you’ve done well, the places that you’ve improved and then start to think about what you can do to fill in those gaps.
Laugh at yourself for the truly ugly corners, missed remounts, shaky bike handling. You know, all those things you wish you could have a “do over” for. Many of you might be thinking, “I just finished racing. My dirty ‘cross bike is hanging in the bike room. I’ll worry about it later.”
Good racing next season begins with strategic planning now. There are so many ways, without doing intervals, that you can improve for next season. I practice clipping in and sprinting from the line at every stop sign and every signal. Muscle memory is key, and if I get it wrong, I do it again. Same with transitions on and off the bike. The roads around my house are bordered by gravel shoulders, a perfect place to practice dismounting, shouldering, and remounting.
Perhaps equally as important, is gratitude. Sometimes we take for granted the fact that we are fitter and stronger than the majority of people our age, whatever age that is.
As you’re analyzing the good, the bad and the ugly of your past season and looking ahead, take the time to be grateful. Say to yourself, “I’m aware of the simple joys and blessings of the world around me.”
This applies to so many areas of our lives, but for now let’s just focus on cyclocross racing. We’ve been given an opportunity to challenge ourselves, to take risks, and to grow from them both physically and mentally. Every time I get on my bike, I try to remind myself of what a gift it is and to notice the beauty around me. Even a muddy ‘cross course is beautiful in its own way and provides us with another opportunity to grow. Be thankful for that.
It’s time for a well-deserved rest period. I always struggled with giving myself permission to rest. But as I age, my body tells me very directly that it needs time to decompress and to recover. And I try to listen, really I do, but it’s a challenge. Luckily it’s starting to snow in the mountains and soon, I’ll be able to replace the bike with cross-country skis; yet another way to explore anaerobic hell.
What will you do to maintain the edge that you reached during ‘cross season. Don’t forget, next year’s results begin right now. Or at least after the holidays.
I’ll end with a few things. First of all, thank you for reading. I hope my stories and my thinking are helpful. Second, have a wonderful holiday.
Finally, a request. I’ve raced in Colorado for over 40 years. The same races, mostly the same courses, and the same competition. I’d like to explore some other ‘cross racing opportunities. I would love to hear from you. What’s a favorite ‘cross race that I might include in my schedule next season? You can email me with your thoughts at lwaldman3@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for your help.
Now, go ride your bike (or do something to stay fit)
My best race day this year was when my granddaughter came out to watch me for the first time at Cap Cross. It was muddy and sloppy. I raced with the regular Cat 3 men, I turn 64 in Feb , since she had a birthday party for another 4 year old in the afternoon. She liked my kit because it had dinosaurs on it and she made a sign for the race. I made her a cowbell rattle. I have always appreciated Lee's comments and perspective. In the race I managed to ride the sloppy off camber that took down many riders and someone even posted a highlight video of that section and managed to catch me riding through the mayhem.