I had decided to do LT100 last summer but was not sure how I would make it happen...

My goal, like everyone else, was to go under 9 hours and earn that big belt buckle! I was not sure if this would be possible since I have not road much in the last 10 years and have primarily been lifting 5 days a week.

I started using TrainerRoad and did a ramp test last year (July 2023) and my FTP was estimated at 227. Well below where I needed to be for a sub 9!

In trying to figure out how to get a guaranteed LT100 entry I decided to sign up with Boundless in the fall. This was the best decision I could have made.

I continued using TrainRoad through the end of last year and then started following Coach Scott Tietzel’s programming after the New Year.

Training:

I followed Scott’s programming very closely doing almost everything he programmed weekly. I also planned on doing some races leading up to Leadville.

In May I did the Mad Gravel 100 and the following weekend Sunrise to Sunset 12 hour mountain bike race. Both races went much better than expected and ended up getting 2nd in AG for Mad Gravel and 3rd overall for Sunrise to Sunset.

Scott would also have me do 20 minute FTP test every 6 weeks and I continued to see my FTP increase nicely through out the year. The last one I did in July of this summer I held 344 watts for 20 minutes and he estimated my FTP at 325. This was the highest it has ever been and my FTP was almost a 100 watts higher in one year! More importantly, it was over 4 w/kg for the first time which seems to be that magic number for LT100.

I then did the LT 100 Stage Race hoping to improve my corral to either green or red since I was currently in the last corral. The Stage Race also went much better than expected with a combined time of 7:07 and 2nd overall in my age group. More importantly, this moved me up to the silver corral just behind the pros. I also set a one hour power PR (282 watts) on day two climbing up Columbine at elevation which was also a pleasant surprise.

With all of this I felt great going into the full LT 100 and had moved my goal from sub 9 to sub 8 which I felt was doable.

Race Day:

The day was going according to plan and felt great until a bunch of us flatted on the Powerline Descent. It took a long time to fix, plus my chain had fallen out of the guide which I also had to fix, as I watched 100’s of people pass me.

I kept it mentally together and stayed positive as I could still put in a good time. Unfortunately, it created other challenges as I was also with slower riders, having no one to work with out to Twin Lakes. I put in my own effort leap frogging groups and passing a lot of people.

Once at Twin Lakes Dam, I got new bottles and a new spare tube/Co2’s. I then started going up Columbine climb continuing to pass people and someone pointed out my back wheel was really low. I thought maybe I didn’t hit it with enough Co2 when I fixed it on Powerline so I stopped and added air.

I then continued climbing and once I got part way up The Goat Trail it was almost completely flat again so I had to finally stop and fix my second flat. Once again, I watched everyone that I passed on Columbine go by me again. With all of this it was almost 5 hours by the time I got to the top of Columbine and now 9 hours was becoming more questionable. I stayed positive and tried to stay focused.

From Twin Lakes Dam to Powerline I was completely solo with a good head wind which was taking a lot out of me but continued to pass people. Powerline was brutal and I just tried to survive but was able to put a good effort on the climb to Carter Aid which I got to at 8:02.

I remember from the LT 100 Podcast that they say it is about an hour to the finish from Carter Aid…ugh.

Finish Line:

I continued to grind it out and was so happy when I finally crossed the finish at 8:52 and earned that big belt buckle! My moving time ended up being around 8:20.

To be honest, this meant way more to still break 9 hours with all the adversity versus if the day had gone to plan and met my sub 8 hour goal.

There is no way I could have done this without the help of Scott and following his training plan closely. It was the best investment I could have made for this race.

I also met Coach Jeff Winkler at Sunrise to Sunset and ran into him pre-riding Leadville. He was also super helpful as I would always have a million questions and he was always willing to share his thoughts. Both Scott and Jeff are great coaches that Boundless is fortunate to have.

Thanks again for everything as it was a truly memorable day!

- Damon Marxer