I am looking for some tips too increase my endurance over the course of a race.

My machine is very strong, and gives me great starts, race after race.
After the gun, I go ***** too the walls and get too the front. Then as the field starts too seperate, and things calm down. I realize where I am, and then blow it.
I have the skills as a rider too run in the front, but half-way through the race I start too fade. Both physically and mentally.
Mentally I start thinking about the people behind me, or too much about what line too take.
Physically I start too get arm pump, and slower reaction time.
It really bugs me, because race after race. I am right there in the front. But I make mistakes that take me out of it.
I get plenty of sleep the night before, eat right, get enough practice time, and am in good physical shape.
I am a great rider, with no fear of big jumps, fast wooded sections, off-chambers, etc.

Is it nerves slowing me down?
Lack of concentration?
Lack of confidence?
FYRS (First Year Racer Syndrome)?

I would really like too know why I can run with anyone the first half of the race, and then just fall apart the second half?

 

Are you breathing consistently?

Some of those things have happened to me when ridding hard then I realize I'm not breathing correctly and consistently and it takes five minutes to get back sharp. Sometimes even sharper that things seem to be going in slow motion and finding lines way ahead of the time of execution.

Breath man Breath!

Also dehydration can cause those symptoms.

 

Chris,

Man, I can't tell you the number of times I've been exactly where you are now. There have been many moments since I started racing hare scrambles and cross country races when I have been ready to just throw in the towel. This last year was my first full season racing and though I have gotten better, there always seems to be at least one mistake in a race that ends up putting me out of contention.

Usually, I end up screwing up in the first 5-10 minutes of the race. During that time I am all nerves and I just can't seem to get comfortable on my ride. As a result, I inevitably end up hitting a tree or going the wrong way or doing something else that costs me anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute of time. Usually I am able to get going again, get into a groove, and not have any more big mistakes for the rest of the race, but more often than not the damage is done. I have to fight my way back up through the pack and I just never seem to gain the time back on the leaders.

Time and time again I hear it from other racers that the guys who end up winning just don't make any big mistakes. Yes, they are fast, but what really separates the good from the great is the ability to pick the right lines and not to make those costly mental errors.

The guy who consistently wins my class is a complete freak when it comes to making the right decisions. I have raced behind him in a number of races and have never seen him make a big mistake. He absolutely loves muddy races and I have watched him pass 12 riders on a giant, soupy hill by taking a line that a mountain goat wouldn't have thought of. And to add insult to injury, until recently he was doing all of this on an old 300EX with stock suspension while the rest of us limped along on tricked-out 400EX's (now he does ride a 400EX so it doesn't embarrass us quite as bad).

By now I'm sure your wondering what the moral is to all of this rambling. Well, I'm not sure that there is one - other than to tell you to keep trying! By then end of this last season, I had noticed that I was slowly gaining more confidence and making less mistakes, and I think that's what it really boils down to. You can have all of the stamina and ability in the world, but there is just no substitute for experience. You absolutely will continue to get better - it just takes time, and unfortunately, it's not going to be a linear progression. You won't necessarily improve your times in each successive race. There will be periods where you'll have 3 or 4 really great races and you'll start feeling good about yourself and then you'll screw up big time and start thinking you haven't improved a bit. But if you just hang with it, keep practicing hard and racing hard, I think you'll start finding yourself closer and closer to the winner's circle.

At least that's what I keep telling myself...

Regards,

Dennis

 

Thanks for the great advice guys. Just talking about racing, makes me want too get out there and rip it up. Experiance is definatly the key. But for now, I'm going too keep racing and having fun. Because isen't that why we do it in the first place? Too have fun.....

Ride hard, Ride safe....

 

Sounds to me like you are just plain getting tired. It happens to all of us. When your body gets tired, you lose both your physical and mental edge. You begin to make mistakes, you begin to worry "how close are they?!". I been there done that. If you are dedicated and serious, try these tips that seemed to help me:

CUT OUT all carbinated beverages, Coke, Pepsi, whatever. Drink only Tea and water.

Go easy on the sweets & junk food

Get a mountain bike, ride it like you stole it 3 times a week.

Get a pair of squeeze grips, do 4 sets of 25 (each arm) on your way to work or school every other day. Do maximum reps twice a week, that is do it til it hurts to bad to squeeze another rep.

Race week: Snack on salted peanuts all week and day of the race, drink water with them. The salt from the nuts will make your body retain the water. They're also a good source of vitimans.

Go to your local GNC, by 2 things: 100% wey protien and Amino Fuel. Take 1 helping of protien mixed with milk (half glass) each day. Take 3 amino fuel tablets each day, before supper is the best time. The protien and amino fuel will fight soreness and promote extended endurance.

While your there, buy several BLUE THUNDER or CARBO FORCE drinks. Drink one before each round of racing, one before practice doesnt hurt either.

Just by doing these simple things, I seen a vast improvement in my endurance. As far as the people behind you in the race, thats just something you get used to. PRESSURE. Ive seen PRO racers go the whole race with guys right on their rear end, but they never got by. Hold your line and ride your own race.

Good Luck

 

I thought I could offer you some advice, but the other posts pretty much hit it all right on the head. Train hard, eat well, and the more you race, the easier it gets. If you talk to pro riders they still get pre-race butterflies at the gate. As far as out front goes, race the track and don't worry about what's behind you, 'cause if you are out front then you are obviously faster than them!!! Hang in there and good luck racing!

 

i have that alot i am always looking behind me i need to get tunnel vison and go forward and not worry about whats behind me i start day dreaming when racing like a robot on each lap i forget to concetrate and loss focus just dont look back and dont make big mistakes when in the leed go for constant lap times and dont wear yourself out stay consistant just think about winning and not what to do if he passes me i think its nerves and 1st year racer syndrome and dont let the 1st lap adrenaline get you you could go to fast into a section and bust big time take it easy and dont really pass until it gets all spread out when you get to the front focus and look forward and dont worry about "what if"