Thanks to SORBA Woodstock and Mountain Goat Adventures for a great event!
This was my 2nd solo endurance race and I'm moderately pleased with my results. My legs had a few knots in them before the race so it was hard to get loose. I definitely wouldn't say I felt fresh, maybe a bit tired. My first endurance race was a 4-hour last fall which I didn't but I didn't even make the cutoff and was done after 3 hours. Bummer!
For me to make the 8pm cutoff at this race was a huge mental hurdle. I finished 5 laps (my gps read 42.5 miles but if the course was 9.4, that should be 47 miles). First lap was really slow and lots of people in front of me hiking bikes. This was my own fault since I chose to walk the lemans start. In my mind, it was all about pacing and trying to conserve energy. This was a huge mistake and put me at an instant disadvantage since I had to fight my way through logjams on the 1st lap.
Yes it was crazy hot and trails were powdery but the heat wasn't really an issue for me since I've been riding in it all summer.
That said, I did have 3 crashes! My first was on Dwelling where I have never crashed in 3 years of riding. I slid down a slick root in a switchback instead of rolling straight through it. My 2nd crash was on VMT connector while fiddling with nutrition and one hand on the bar. My bar caught a tree and I kept going in sort of an endo. My bike hit the ground so hard that the bars are now out of alignment (taking suggestions on how to fix the bars) By now my left knee was loving me and I thought I was done with skin donation but not yet! My 3rd crash was on my 4th lap on VMT when my bottle came out of my cage I looked down for 2 seconds then my front wheel spun out in the powder. All told, the crashes probably cost me 3 or 4 minutes and the slow first lap probably 5 or 6 minutes.
I didn't pit after my first lap because I was feeling strong and was trying to gain some time. Pitted for a few minutes after 2nd lap. 3rd lap was my fastest and was really getting in to the groove. Cramps setting in on 3rd and 4th lap but pushed through them. Consuming massive amounts of electros and gel. Huge thanks to my wife and her friend for being an awesome pit crew. Finished 4th lap around 6:30 and I knew I would make the 5th lap now but no chance for a 6th. Took about a 10-minute pit break which may have cost me a place but I felt that I had earned a rest. Arrived back from 5th lap at 9ish. (Mental note: Turn head lamp on before leaving to save time.) Cardio fitness was holding up but legs were dying for relief. Stayed well-hydrated and nourished through the race, no issues at all.
Overall, I enjoyed the race. Could've possibly placed a spot higher but who knows.
Have no complaints for fellow racers as most ,if not all, were courteous in passing and allowing me to pass.
Looking forward to the next event!
This was my 2nd solo endurance race and I'm moderately pleased with my results. My legs had a few knots in them before the race so it was hard to get loose. I definitely wouldn't say I felt fresh, maybe a bit tired. My first endurance race was a 4-hour last fall which I didn't but I didn't even make the cutoff and was done after 3 hours. Bummer!
For me to make the 8pm cutoff at this race was a huge mental hurdle. I finished 5 laps (my gps read 42.5 miles but if the course was 9.4, that should be 47 miles). First lap was really slow and lots of people in front of me hiking bikes. This was my own fault since I chose to walk the lemans start. In my mind, it was all about pacing and trying to conserve energy. This was a huge mistake and put me at an instant disadvantage since I had to fight my way through logjams on the 1st lap.
Yes it was crazy hot and trails were powdery but the heat wasn't really an issue for me since I've been riding in it all summer.
That said, I did have 3 crashes! My first was on Dwelling where I have never crashed in 3 years of riding. I slid down a slick root in a switchback instead of rolling straight through it. My 2nd crash was on VMT connector while fiddling with nutrition and one hand on the bar. My bar caught a tree and I kept going in sort of an endo. My bike hit the ground so hard that the bars are now out of alignment (taking suggestions on how to fix the bars) By now my left knee was loving me and I thought I was done with skin donation but not yet! My 3rd crash was on my 4th lap on VMT when my bottle came out of my cage I looked down for 2 seconds then my front wheel spun out in the powder. All told, the crashes probably cost me 3 or 4 minutes and the slow first lap probably 5 or 6 minutes.
I didn't pit after my first lap because I was feeling strong and was trying to gain some time. Pitted for a few minutes after 2nd lap. 3rd lap was my fastest and was really getting in to the groove. Cramps setting in on 3rd and 4th lap but pushed through them. Consuming massive amounts of electros and gel. Huge thanks to my wife and her friend for being an awesome pit crew. Finished 4th lap around 6:30 and I knew I would make the 5th lap now but no chance for a 6th. Took about a 10-minute pit break which may have cost me a place but I felt that I had earned a rest. Arrived back from 5th lap at 9ish. (Mental note: Turn head lamp on before leaving to save time.) Cardio fitness was holding up but legs were dying for relief. Stayed well-hydrated and nourished through the race, no issues at all.
Overall, I enjoyed the race. Could've possibly placed a spot higher but who knows.
Have no complaints for fellow racers as most ,if not all, were courteous in passing and allowing me to pass.
Looking forward to the next event!