Predictions from Genugt-strodamus

So as each season passes I find myself using my dad as a sort of go-to guy when I need to get pumped up. Normally he’ll get a call from some corner of the country to the effect of, “Dad, I’m freaking out before nationals (NRC crit, etc…) and I need to get in the zone.” You learn what type of people can pump you up, and which ones to just stay away from before races. I’ve had team mates in the past who just let the negative thoughts swirl around inside their heads and then out of their mouths to where no one is in a state to race whatsoever… really worst case scenario! (No such problems at Kenda, thanksfully) So part of my pre race routine includes calling my dad and getting the talk. His pep talks are over the top, loud, boastful, possibly crazy, and put me in a war-like state of mind like nothing else. Before I won the kilo at collegiate nationals in 2007 I was on the phone with my dad before and after the 1 minute event for a good 15 minutes and came out of the gate screaming like a phsycopath. So with the Tour of the Battenkill coming up, and a pretty serious start list and 200 kilometers of hills and dirt roads, I was ready for a good pumping up. I have been staying with him over the past few weeks in between local training races so we have had more than one, and usually while exploring new genres of heavy music via Pandora.com which suggests new artists by ones you already like (example- type in Lordi, up comes Grendel, next on their generated playlist, Velvet Acid Christ… try not to get in the zone listening to that.) After a few weeks of this my mind is finally feeling sharp. My body, I think, has been ready to go for a few weeks but sometimes it takes a little longer for the driver to wake up behind the wheel.

I love this photo - twin victory salutes... my first as a cat 1 (man I look yoooung) and my dad in the background... van der Genugten's 1, other dudes 0.

I was sort of waffling through the names on the start list, “oh that guy won the tour de France… that guy was second at pro TT nats,” etc… and each time my sniveling was met with firm Teutonic stubbornness that “each rider has two legs and two lungs and theirs hurt just as bad as yours.” Point taken. And I have something that all those guys don’t have. A sweet beard! I grew it out specifically for this race – I decided that as this is a “hardman” race, I needed to look that part. Coming up after Battenkill (NY State) is Athens Twilight and some speed week criteriums, followed shortly by the Joe Martin Stage Race, so a full month on the road clashing swords with the big guns. Motivation is good, fitness is really good, and I’m ready to roll!

Big shout out to Fred at BGI and all the other guys for putting up with my “princess” tendencies and helping me adjust every nut, bolt and screw on the bike PRECISELY to my specifications… you guys rock.