Some non results goals I have set for XC races, depending on how I feel and where I’m at in training:
- Start hard and hang onto lead group as long as I can. If I blow up, fine; if I settle into endurance mode, also fine.
- Start slower, and work on moving up through the pack (assuming not DFL fitness). Passing isn’t something that people often ‘practice’, or at least me, and there’s a level of comfort you need to do it quickly, effectively, and choosing the right spots.
- If your race is several laps - work on consistency in your pacing. The high level racers in my area knock off lap after lap at a very consistent pace. Purely time-wise, I would have finished 4th rather than 6th in the early season XC race I did a couple weeks ago if I had been able to pace my first lap better and finish my 3rd/last lap faster. This is something I’m trying to work on.
I’ve been through short power build 2 seasons already, and about to start it up again now, and since the race results of this one don’t matter to you - I would make the decision of what your weekend training will look like in the big picture. If you go super deep on Saturday, you might risk having a successful prescribed workout Sunday. So you may choose to add some extra laps or endurance riding after your race to make it a big training day, and pencil in an easier aerobic ride Sunday; or you might hold back a little and work on some of those other points so you don’t bury yourself over “not a lot” of TSS Saturday, but enough to derail your Sunday workout.
Random thoughts from a fellow XC nerd. Have fun!