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Friday, September 28, 2007
6 Hours of Dauset, Jackson GA - 09/22/2007
On Saturday, September 22nd, I partook in my first 6 hour solo event at Dauset Trails in Jackson, GA. Due to the fact that the race wasn’t starting until 10am, I opted for heading up early that morning. When I arrived, the Columbus crew had already done a great job of setting up a perfect spot next to the trail, right before you enter again for the next lap. Ed had also set up a tent right next to them, and as he claimed that one to be the “solo” tent, I set my stuff up with him. I wasn’t too nervous because having never done one of these and I had no idea how I would perform and therefore had no expectations. There were a few other girls that had signed up for the 6 hour, so at least it wouldn’t be an empty field. I focused on getting my fuel put out on the table, made sure I had all my gear on and the bike was in working condition. After the pre-race meeting, we all headed down the road to where the Lemans (running) start would begin. There was no warm-up for this one. What would be the point? I wasn’t sprinting out of the gates and I would have several hours to warm up and conservation of energy was more important. Bruce gives us the count down, blows the whistle and we were off. I’m running easy, just trying to hold a good line and trying not to clip anybody’s feet. Get to the bike, navigate it over some other bikes that were still lying on the ground, and started pedaling. It was very strange to be riding with so many riders. Usually when we race, there are so few girls, that it’s easy to navigate and find your place and pace. I watched around me and kept a steady pace, following the front group into the woods. There was a bit of backing up as we first in the single track, which again was a new experience for me. I stayed with the group of guys in front of me, and paced off them for a while, passed a few, paced off the next batch, passed some more, until I found a pace that I was comfortable with and didn’t have to worry too much about the person in front of me. Much of the first lap was ridden with several riders around me. It wasn’t until I headed in for the 2nd lap that things started to spread out a lot more. After the first lap, I was feeling great. I felt like I was doing a comfortable pace and made sure not to push hard on any of the climbs in order to keep my legs fresh. My goal was to try to get through 3 laps before stopping to refuel. I was cruising along, really enjoying the ride. The second lap went good too except for me having to fight through back pain, which eventually subsided (probably because the neck pain became way more painful). By the middle of the 3rd lap, I knew that I would be pleased for a break once I completed it. I was almost out of liquids, my neck and shoulders were killing me and my body was ready to be off the saddle for a brief moment in time. I came through to finish the 3rd lap and got off the trail at our tent area to fill up quickly, have ½ a bar, change out PowerAde, stretch a little, and be off again. Joseph’s mom did a great job at doubling as masseuse and I was terribly thankful for her rubbing my neck and shoulders for a bit. I started into the 4th lap, the fatigue starting to rear its ugly head more and more with every turn of the cranks. By the middle of the 4th lap, I had started to cramp. My goal was 4 laps when I started, but as I was holding good time in the first 3, I had bump that goal up at least 5, with the slight chance of 6. Upon completion of the 4th lap, I rolled into the rest area, sore and tired. This time, it took me longer to get myself motivated and I was moving a little slower getting my water refilled, etc. Ursula pulled in right after me for a quick stop as well, but got rolling before I could get myself together. The 5th lap was the worse! I had hit that wall! My neck was killing me, and my cramping had become more than I could ride through. I managed to stretch out my quads and hamstrings and somehow never had problems with them again, but my inner though muscle was cramping at almost every mile. As soon as I felt it twinge, I had to get off the bike before it totally locked up and I ended up falling over. I stretched, walked, ran, rode. I think I may have walked and run about as much as I rode that 5th lap. About ½ ways through it, I was feeling very defeated and mentally drained. I started to feel like everything in me was shutting down. At one point I felt so dizzy, that I just got off and stood on the side of the trail for a while. I didn’t think I would make the cut off, and part of me was already relieved for that. I rolled through the start/finish area with the slowest lap of the day just to find out that I had actually made the cut off. I couldn’t quit now… I would still get credit for the lap even if I walked the rest of it. So I rolled on, not even stopping at the rest area this time. I just wanted to get it over with. At the start of the 6th lap, I met up with Sarah and Richard and we rode together for a bit, talking back and forth about the pain we were going through and wondering why we were doing this in the first place. It didn’t last long before I had to get off my bike to alleviate some more cramping. I walked, I ran, and I rode. I finally realized that if I stood and pedaled I wasn’t cramping as quickly. It was slow going, but I tried to keep moving. Richard passed me, and then I’d pass him, then he passed me. Toward the end, I passed Paul, but no sooner had I done that, when I started to cramp and had to get off the bike again. “Are we there yet”? I finally came through the start finish area, and didn’t dismount fast enough and Dave sent me back over the threshold. I didn’t know if I could actually walk backwards! But I managed to push my bike through again and rolled to our tent and just wanted to lie down! I was so hungry I was shaking and the need for food overtook my need to fall to the ground. I sat and recovered, ate and drank, and slowly the agony left me, and the exhilaration of completing what was at first an unobtainable goal for me, started to set in. 60 miles, 6+ hours… the longest mountain bike ride I have ever done, and the most time ever spent on a bike at one time! My butt and shoulders were complaining the most about it. My legs were twitchy for awhile after, and my foot even cramped up. But I was done! =) Later when they posted the results, I found out that I had placed second behind Ursula. I was thrilled. Throughout the race I had no idea where anybody was. The only thing I knew is that, once Ursula passed me, I was behind her. They did the awards and then Terri served us up some pasta and sauce with meatballs, salad and cake. I had had a big bowl of my own pasta when I completed the ride, but I ate another helping as if that didn’t even make a dent in my stomach! I chatted with some new faces, and then headed home. Very full, very tired, but very satisfied. I felt bad for leaving while the others were still racing their 12 hour, but all I could think about now was getting home and falling in bed. Once the food had started to be absorbed by my body, I felt much better and the trip hope wasn’t so bad. I know I’ve said this before, but I can’t say it enough. I am convinced of 2 things: 1 – All athletes are sadomasochistic. We must enjoy inflicting pain upon ourselves to keep doing what we do 2 – Pain amnesia is our friend. I guess this aids with the point mentioned above. The body’s defense mechanism is to make you forget the pain you have been through. Why else would have already been talking myself into the next solo endurance race on my way home! =) I was surprised at how good I felt the next day. Well, I felt a little tired, and the legs were tender at the parts where they cramped (and ok, the saddle bits were very tender), but it was no where as bad as I thought I would feel at the point where I was barely holding on to getting through the 5th lap. Thanks everybody! Let’s do this again soon! RIDE MORE! =)
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