3 Keys to Racing Success

This past weekend, I conquered my first ultra-endurance gravel cycling race: 359 miles in 30 hours and 46 minutes. As you can imagine, at times it was absolutely brutal.

But over that time, I learned a lot, and I want to highlight three key lessons that apply to any athlete, no matter the distance.

(Check out the recap when you get a moment—I’m in the last 8 minutes. Fun stuff!)

1. You Only Have You

At the end of the day, it’s just you out there.

You have to completely and utterly buy in to yourself—your effort, your progress, and your ability to show up when it matters most. That can be intimidating, and it’s easy to let doubt creep in. We all play the “what if” game. But the truth is, none of that serves you.

What does serve you? Confidence. Trust. Belief.

As you get closer to your A race, remind yourself of what’s gone right. Think about the early mornings, the long miles, the pain you’ve put yourself through. You did the work. You’ve got the receipts.

Own it. Buy in.

2. Fuel Like It Matters—Because It Does

Outside of fitness and health, fueling is your biggest lever for success.

I started planning my race nutrition weeks in advance. My goal: 90g of carbs and 1500mg of sodium per hour. I mapped every stop (6 in total) and at which mile, creating individualized Ziploc bags with 3,420g of carbs and 57,000mg of sodium total. I even poured 30 gels into five Hydrogel soft flasks to save space and avoid trash or fuss mid-race.

If you’re prepping for a race:

• Ask yourself: How many carbs and how much sodium per hour?

• Then ask: How will I get there?

• And finally: Am I practicing it in training?

Solve GI issues before race day. Practice your plan. Nailing this means one less thing to stress about when it matters most.

3. Use Your Head. Don’t Get Emotional

No matter what race you’re doing—whether it’s a half marathon or Unbound XL—something is going to go sideways.

Maybe the swim feels off. Maybe your stomach flips. Maybe you miss a split you were counting on.

Whatever it is, don’t let that moment hijack your mindset. Take a breath. Zoom out.

You’ve been through tough spots in training and you know how to handle them. Getting emotional or panicking won’t help. Staying calm, solving the problem, and moving forward will.

And honestly? That rough patch might end up unlocking your best day yet.

If you’re struggling in a certain area, tell me—let’s come up with a plan and solution together. I want you to be at your happiest as an athlete while maintaining balance and making big goals happen.

Thank you again for letting me be a part of your journey. I don’t take that lightly, and I love getting to see your growth every day.

Stay moving.

– Coach Scott