Last week, I completed the Taxandria Ultra Gravel, my first-ever ultra-gravel event. While it's not as grueling as the Tour Divide that Laurens ten Dam recently conquered, tackling 200 miles of gravel labeled as ‘ultra’ was a significant challenge for me. Despite some beginner mistakes, like relying on a small headlamp for a 4:15 AM start and forgetting my mudflap, I managed to finish in 11 hours and 42 minutes. The toughest part hit around the 8-hour mark, but I pushed through and enjoyed a strong finish.

Pedaling into the Sunrise

One of the most memorable moments was witnessing the sunrise while cycling, a truly special experience. After a few hours, I entered a rewarding mental state, focusing solely on my bike computer and the rhythm of the pedals. This ultra-gravel event was a fantastic way to clear my mind, and I owe my preparedness to my JOIN training plan. With just 8 to 10 training hours per week over the last three months, JOIN helped me make the most of my limited time.

Balancing Act: Cycling and Running

Balancing my ultra preparation with marathon training for October added complexity. As a former duathlete, combining cycling and running felt natural but required time to adjust. I'll be shifting my focus to running in the coming months, guided by a running trainer, and I'm curious to see how JOIN adapts.

Adapting Training with JOIN

So far, I've learned that JOIN incorporates running sessions into the JOIN score, though only intense runs make a significant impact. It also considers running sessions when determining readiness for training, which is crucial to avoid injuries given the high impact of running.

Core Principles for Success

Training principles for running and cycling share common ground in my opinion: consistency and core stability are key. I'm excited to see how these principles will guide me in the months ahead.