Yeah, I remember. Nice finish to your race.
Yes, much more of a traditional plan for unbound with v02max and threshold work along with the big volume. Besides event specificity, it’s just easier to work those intervals into my training earlier in the year when it’s not blistering hot outside. For the first 3 hours of unbound, I had almost an hour of time at v02max or higher. Many would argue that’s poor pacing for a 11+ hour race, but that’s what it took me to stay in fast groups and stay close to podium position. I second-guessed that strategy a bit after the race (after falling apart a bit ~6 hours in), but after reviewing the pacing/splits of every male podium winner (across all age groups), I’m confident it’s the fastest way around that course (short of having an organized team time trial or getting a pro to pace you). Every single podium winner was in (or very near) podium position at the first checkpoint and their speed/pace dropped as the day went on. Nobody finished on the podium with a more even pacing strategy. The fast early groups provide so much “cheap” speed for the first few hours that it would be really hard to make up over the rest of the day if you didn’t punch your ticket for those trains. Anyways, too early to start obsessing on Unbound strategy, but that will be my biggest A race again next year. I definitely have a few execution things I want to change, but I don’t plan to change much with my prep/training.
Yep, I always err on the side of over-hydration, probably part of my problem. I figure stopping to pee is a lot quicker than cramps, but I was pretty frustrated having to stop so early this year. It’s not so bad at leadville where group dynamics aren’t critical on the long climbs, but it cost me big time at Unbound in 2023 when I lost a good group.
I wish we could have done that and gotten in a little more hiking/biking where I wasn’t worried about wrecking my legs. But my wife was ready to get home and we had someone watching the dogs. I was particularly bummed as we were rolling into Texas Sunday evening and watching the temps still holding over 100.
Pretty much what I now do for any race.
Hydrate well up to the night before, then be very careful with how much I drink the morning of, then hydrate normally during the race.
It’s worked out really well this year, except for the one really hot 100 miler where I went though the 3 bottles I had, but was faced with losing my group for more water or sticking with them and getting dehydrated. I stuck with them, was incredibly thirsty, but otherwise felt fine at the end.
But that had nothing to do with how much I drank pre race.
You finished 2 seconds behind me, and we started in the same corral…so yes?
Great races everyone! There are so many fast riders here! I’ve lurked through this entire thread and have to thank everyone for all the great information here. This was my first Leadville 100 MTB and I have to say I’m happy to have finished and had fun. My dream goal of 9 hours was out of the question early and I just focused on having fun and enjoying the day. It was a beautiful day out there and I felt great until the last 12-15 miles when my poor fueling and hydration caught up to me. My legs still felt great to the end, but I just didn’t have any energy to go fast, and I lost time the last 10 miles. I was happy to finish in 10:28 for my first full Leadville 100 MTB.
I got to Leadville on Tuesday and did some training rides checking out the course. I felt pretty well acclimated and avoided the dreaded splitting headaches I usually get over 10,000", but of course was still sucking air on race day being from Minnesota. I was wearing a blue Adventure Running Co. kit if anyone saw me during the race. With my running tour business, I’m off the bike for a week or two at a time during prime training for Leadville, but that’s just life. I had a fun day at the race and that’s what’s important to me.
I’m really happy to have finished my LEADMAN 20 years apart! I finished the Leadville Trail 100 Run in 2004 in 23 and a half hours to get the big buckle there and Saturday finally finished my Leadville Trail 100 MTB. Would have also loved to get the big buckle in the MTB but I’m a better runner than rider so I’m just happy to get the buckle! Great races everyone, hope you all had fun!
What a pain in the butt. Winning the Stage Race AG is a good goal tho. I might need a coach an a new bike.
You don’t have to win a qualifier, just place well enough to get a coin (or get lucky at the end with the drawing). If you make the podium in any decent sized age group, you are going to get a coin and you may not even need to hit the podium if the AG is a larger one (40+, 50+, etc.). What age group are you in?
I’ve only done the stage race and rattler qualifiers, but the field isn’t nearly as deep/fast as what you see at the 100. I actually got a podium coin once at the rattler (in 50+ AG), but that year was a pretty shallow/slow field at the front (and I was way behind 1st and 2nd). More typically, you’ll have one or 2 really fast guys and then a steadier drop from there. I’d guestimate it takes at least 4.5w/kg (sea level) to get on the podium in 40+ or 50+ most years and significantly less than that for 60+, but again depends on who shows up. Consider racing the rattler in November, usually great weather in central TX that time of year and the venue/course is a lot of fun.
Great interview Jonathan did with Melisa Rollins (women’s winner) in the podcast today!
Thanks. I’ll be in the 60 cat next year. I have a 4.2 w/kg FTP at 8500ft. I previously ignored Leadville because the hype turns me off and I’m relatively new to MTB. I like to enter reces where I can be a player. Otherwise I just can go ride the thing for fun.
With any kind of MTB skills, that kind of power would certainly have you in podium contention in 60+ (and probably even in 50+). And getting a coin at a qualifier should be a slam dunk with decent execution.
You don’t need great MTB skills for leadville, just a few fast tech descents where you can burn time if that’s not your thing. The race definitely has a cult-ish feeling to it at times, but I personally find it to be an awesome alternative to more “serious” racing formats. And that’s not to say it’s not serious at the front, it pulls in some fast age groupers. If you are all business, there is a place for that. But as much as I’m a jaded old fart, I find the mass start with all levels of cyclists to be a cool dynamic. It’s not like your typical gravel event where the folks in the rear can slow roll around the course in party mode for a finisher’s medal. It’s like climbing Mt. Everest for many of those folks in the back trying to make cutoffs and finish the race. It’s pretty inspiring and pretty much defines the race vibe (in my opinion). Of course, I’m not anywhere near fighting for a podium, so I might be more interested in the front if I were there…
I don’t know about everyone else but I’m already getting the itch for the 2025 thread!
I think both myself and my wife will be going for it next year. She enjoyed the stage race enough (and her stage race time correlates to under 12) to at least consider the 1 day.
Agree, bring on 2025. And, with the removal of the lifetime digital membership way to circumvent the lottery, I’m really interested to see if my friend and I can get in for 2025.
Me and @BCM rolling up the hill prior to twin lakes (tucked in behind the dude with the stache). We had no idea we were riding together a good bit of the day until he happened to sit next to me after the race and we figured it out. TR folks were representing all over that course last week.
Where did you get this picture? “VA photography”? I have only seen the pix from MarathonFoto
Great pic - and it was great meeting you in person. Still crazy that I ended up sitting down right next to you in the finish area. Small world. I do have to say that the best part about these events are the people you meet along the way…
I finally dragged myself back to the east coast, got home last night after a brief Colorado vacation after the race (Crested Butte is worth the trip if you ever get time). I’ve got today to get most of my crap put away and cleaned up before it’s back to the grind.
I’ve got a gravel bike to build, some road bike work, some stuff to sell, and a non-bike trip coming up, but I figure I’ll give myself until October until I really start thinking too much about Unbound and Leadville 2025!
The actually pics from the event that I got were pretty average, not great ones that should the views etc. Those ones look much better!