This one destroyed me the first time. I wrote after the session:
“Not happy with myself on this. First session I couldn’t complete. I got in a negative headspace in the last 15 minutes and eventually my legs wouldn’t go anymore. Sucks.”
It was probably nutrition to a point, but I remember getting towards the end and thinking I couldn’t do it, wishing for it to end… I also think I switched out of erg mode a granny wheeled a bit which got me into thinking more that it’s “too hard”. I beat myself up for a few days, but the failure turned into motivation.
The session was coming up a few weeks later in my plan, and I set it as a mental goal. Got myself pumped up and excited for it weeks in advance. Planned my nutrition and did some pre-ride yoga to get ready. I felt great the second time and crushed it. For me, it was a mental game. No distractions. No background noise. Just a bigger smile as the ride went on.