The training program that I put together last November was designed for me to peak starting at last week's Lemurian through this week's Coolest 8. The Lemurian was a disaster. I blame the experimentation with nutrition, just as I did at Boggs V, and pretty much got the same result; running out of gas during the race. For the Coolest 8 I went back to what I had previously been using: energy bars, energy gels, Clif Blocks, Hammer Perpetuem and an electrolyte drink.
I had a good start position as the race began and I tried to maintain that as long as possible. All of us tried to find the best lines as there was quite a bit of mud on the trail, left, right, center.... Though I had to deal with some traffic on the first lap, it was fast.
First lap: 57:54 minutes, average speed 12.3, max speed 32.1.
My second lap was pretty fast too and I was feeling good.
Second lap: 59:02 minutes, average speed 11.6, max speed 32.4.
My third lap was going pretty good for the first 15 minutes. After one fast small creek crossing with lots of sharp rocks on the other side I saw a couple guys fixing their flats. Bummer for them, I said to myself, and was happy about my decision to run Stan's sealant. Cocky bastard. Right afterwards as the rear end of my bike was feeling a little soft I decided to get off the bike and check the rear tire. Going flat, of course! I pulled out my CO2 inflator, tried filling it but the o-ring in the inflator came out. First CO2 cartridge emptied. I got the o-ring back in and filled the tire to about 15-20 pounds with my second CO2 cartridge. I took it easy and slow to the aid station, half way through the course. There was a floor pump at the aid station and I filled my tire to about 30 psi and took off. I could tell the tire was going flat again and tried to get back to the start and my pit station as quick as possible.
At my pit station I filled my tire (which had only lost a little air at this point), got a new water bottle, more CO2 cartridges, some food and lubed my chain well. I took off as fast as possible, not happy about all the time I had lost messing with my tire.
Third lap: 109:49 minutes, average speed 9.8, max speed 31.6.
I was starting to get tired and my attitude turning bad at this point. I had plenty of nutrition in me, but couldn't put out the power like I wanted to, my heart rate was falling and I was toying with the idea of pulling out of the race. I pulled out of the Boggs V race in 4th place after doing 7 laps. I had enough time to do another lap at Boggs V but felt awful and decided not to. I ended up getting 8th place. Lesson learned.
Fourth lap: 109:44 minutes, average speed 9.8, max speed 32.7.
The fifth lap was pretty much like the fourth, tired, feeling like poo, etc. I still had enough energy and confidence to ride (instead of walking) out of Knickerbocker creek (I rode it every lap) and kept passing people on this climb and on the final climb. I was starting to get hot spots on my feet. This is a vulnerable time of the race and I was paying close attention to my hydration and nutrition.
Fifth lap: 109:45 minutes, average speed 9.7, max speed 31.5.
I started my 6th lap with two ibuprofen and an energy gel. At this point I knew I only had time for 7 laps and decided to push harder. The climbs were still hard, but I was able to go faster and faster on the descents and turns, pushing my comfort level each lap. On the climbs I put in both of my headphones and was helped up the climbs by The Faction, The Reverend Horton Heat, The Archers of Loaf, Bad Religion and other friends.
Sixth lap: 108:06 minutes, average speed 10.0, max speed 33.2.
I finished my sixth lap about 6:35 pm and was feeling good and ready for my last lap. Maxx showed up and helped me prep for the last lap, I think this was my fastest pit time. I left the pit in a sprint yelling and growling, ready to crush those in my way. I knew i'd been working my ass off for the past six months for this and wasn't about to let it slip by. I went as hard as I could.
I caught a team mate Tom Wood about 10 minutes into my lap, offered some words of encouragement and took off. About 15 minutes later I caught up to another team mate, Chris Rose (who was doing the 24 hours solo), and at the same time caught another 8 Hour Solo rider. This catch was at the top of the hill before dropping down to Knickerbocker Creek. I offered Chris some additional words of encouragement and to assert my strength against the other 8 Hour Solo racer I stood up and sprinted into the descent down to Knickerbocker Creek.
Though I was tired I was still feeling pretty strong on my last lap. I even noticed my heart rate was coming back up, closer to where it should have been. I passed a few riders on the flat section before the last climb, reeled in a half dozen or so on the last climb and even passed four more on the last 1/4 mile of the race.
Seventh lap: 104:47 minutes, average speed 10.5, max speed 35.1.
Unsure of my placing, I was pleased with my performance. I gave it all I had and was annihilated.
Though my seventh lap wasn't my fastest, it was my third fastest average speed and fastest maximum speed. Not bad after having raced for 6 1/2 hours.
The result? I finished in 2nd place in the Men's Solo Pro/Expert. Let me repeat that, Pro/Expert!!! Biggest result so far. The first place racer beat me by 7 minutes...and a LAP! Now that is a pro!
I would like to mention that i'm vegan and have been for 14 years. That is all.
