What is it about the human body that does not let us perform at our best when it is extremely hot? This is the question I would ask myself for 6hrs of my 8hr solo at Hurkey Creek last weekend. My first two laps went great. I was taking in plenty of fluids, eating my gels and was taking my electrolytes. So where did I go wrong? Well my last few races have been XC races where I have been able to blow myself up for 2hrs. So I went back and looked at my lap times, AH HA my first lap I was the first solo rider to come through in 46min. and my next lap was a 53min lap. I was blowing my self up for 2hrs! Chris Eatough once said, "The key to doing a solo race is to waste no energy and be as efficient as possible." It was 95 degrees out and I was going like a bat out of hell. What part of being efficient was I forgetting about? ALL OF IT! So on lap 3 the cramps started coming on strong. I could pedal the flats and go downhill alright but when it was time to pedal uphill the shit hit the fan. My legs locked up and I could hardly move without some part of my legs cramping. I had to stop at the aid stations and try to stretch them out. I owe a lot to my support crew for keeping me going. Thanks Miss Gilly and Andy! I might have quit if it weren't for you. I did this race only as a training race to get ready for the 24hr world solo championships in September. After the race, I remembered what it is that I love about endurance events. The race isn't won in the first few hours. It's about the 23rd and the 24th hour that really count. The 8th hour in this case.
It might look like a smile, but I'm really clinching my teeth and suffering through the cramps!
Congrats to all the Sho-Air riders!
Mario 1st place
Lou 1st place
Bernice 3rd place
Josh 5th place
Matt 9th place
Mario 1st place
Lou 1st place
Bernice 3rd place
Josh 5th place
Matt 9th place
No comments:
Post a Comment