Thru Endurance We Conquer!

Yesterday, when I pre-rode, the trail was tight and tacky. Even muddy in places from that rainstorm on Wednesday. Well, today it had dried up and was quite a bit looser. The rocks were noticable on the upper loop. Some of the tighter switchbacks were also a little trickier - watch the speed, weight back, lean and spot the corner or you're not going to make it. I'm happy I decided to take the time to ride the loop again because it will be even drier tommorow. I'm assuming that the lower section will be a bit sandier as well. Since the bike was handling well, not going to make changes. Tire pressure was good - handled the looser trail well. Again felt pretty comfortable on the climb and relaxed on the descents. I just need to remember not to overthink things while riding. That's when mistakes happen and mistakes lead to crashing. After riding, I decided to stop at Pineview and test the waters. Naturally, I forgot my wetsuit and the water was a little nippy. But once I g...

I got into Odgen last night to see a huge thunderstorm hanging over Snowbasin and drenching the mountain. If I'd had my camera and been able to take a picture, I would have gotten a great photo of a rainbow over the mountain. I was planning on running a little yesterday, but with checking in, getting food and my achilles still tender, I decided to chill out in the hotel. It's a little extended stay studio with a stove, microwave and fridge. Of course, the first thing that I did after getting unpacked was going to the food store and wandering. It's always an adventure going to the grocery stores in different cities. This one had a mix of everything, so I walked out with enough food for the weekend (and beyond - since I had to get a dozen eggs, not six). I'm already a leg up on where I was last year at this time. Last year I had to take my last class for my DPT - in Denver, on the Friday before the race. I got into Ogden at 9:30 the night before the race and never had a...

So I got the internet thing figured out at my hotel in Ogden, so here are some photos from Nick's race. I wasn't able to take too many - having to run support means little time to waste with photos. I did get a few good ones - and the one of Nick sitting and eating is from UltraRob.   Nick on his first lap - wearing light colors because it was pretty hot out.  The table of food waiting for Nick. I would get more creative as the night wore on with presentation and food on the table   Nick eating some chicken noodle soup before heading out for another lap.   Nick finishing his last lap. I headed up the trail a bit, thinking I would beat him down to the finish. I was wrong, so this is my finish picture! 

After 24 hours Nick rode 12 laps of the Falcon trail and won the single speed solo class by 2 laps. He also placed third of all solo men, so I am going to nick name him my "single speeding stud." I did my part as support crew, keeping him fed and watered, in dry clothes and charged batteries for lights. Sunday night we were both very tired, me from staying up all night and Nick from riding all night. We were in bed by 800! I think the quality of the racer is balanced by the quality of the support crew. Riding solo without support makes an already challenging race very difficult. I made sure that there was plenty of options each lap ranging from cookies and candy to potatoes and scrambled egg or pizza. Nick never had to go searching for food. If I thought he might want it, I had it ready. I also was able to get wamr clothes ready while he was eating saving even more time. Then while he was riding I charged used batteries to make sure he had enough light to get through the ni...

I am resting in the Turtle after sending Nick out on his 7th lap. He is doing well, currently holding third solo and first single speed. The solo leader is a lap up on both Nick and the current second place rider, Larry and holding that gap. Nick had a decent margin to the second SS rider but we are only 10 hours in. A lot can happen between now and noon. Running pit support is kinda fun. It is lulls of rest time mingled with insanity when the rider comes in. I knw what Nick likes to eat while riding so it is a little easier. But being a mind reader helps. Are we going to want soup this lap or egg and tortilla? What clothes is he going to need? So far I seem to be doing a good job. And now I am going to snooze for an hour so I am ready for Nick when he gets back.

I am tired. Taking a few days off the bike and off the run. Xterra USA is in a days and my legs are pretty dead. I need to recover so I have a good race. So while Nick is racing the 24 Hours of COS I am going to chill. Run support and help him race, and put my legs up during the breaks. Any training I do now will not help for the Xterra. Pushing too hard through some of the nagging injuries is a good way to mess up the race and get really hurt. I have already done too much in the last few weeks, between two marathons, an xterra, a 24 hour race and the fall classic. Hopefully it is not too late to recover and race well.

The fall classic stage race closed out the MSC endurance series in Breckenridge on Sept 11/12. It is a circit race and hill climb on Saturday and a long cross country on Sunday. The points for all three races plus the stage race would determine the series champs. Nick was in third going into the race and hoping to stay there. He had a good circit race and was hoping to get some more time int he hill climb. But after choosing the wrong cog for the circit race, he slipped down into fourth. A huge crowd of single speeders showed up for the cross country and he finished ninth against some fast guys. Finishing fourth in the stage race, he alos finished fourth in the single speed series classification. Not bad at all for riding half the season ss and for his first year riding ss. I faired better in my raceses. I was in third as well entering the stage race but ony by a few points. For the circit race I started easy and worked my way through the field to win by a few seconds. Having a clea...

This was Nick and my second time racing at the 24 Hours in the Sage as a Duo. The first year, we were racing against all the two person teams, and did well. It was also my first 24 hour race. This year, we came into the race more prepared and with a lot more experience. We also were just racing against other Co-ed teams this year, not all the duo teams. It was a close race, with both first and second teams completing 19 laps. Nick and I - racing as the Pedalin' Fools finished at 11:05:38 with Bo Randolph and Bec Bale of Bo and Bec finishing at 11:08:23. Third place went to Brad Fox and Amelia Jervey of The Tortise and the Hare with 18 laps at 11:57:48. There were many lead changes between the Pedalin's Fools and Bo and Bec through out the race, with the lead never getting larger then 30 minutes. The racing weather was perfect - sunny, a little warm, with some wind on the mesa. Night was clear and cool, but not as cold at the other years and not as wet. The KOA was awsome this...

Or at least trying! Thursday and Friday I decided that it was time to work on more of my technical skills for the mountain bike. Thursday I went to Palmer Park and focused on some of the sections I've always had issues with. I tried everything a few times, going back, reviewing the line and trying to figure out if there was a better option. Got thru a few things, messed up on other sections. Wasn't really feeling "on" on the bike, so I was struggling at times. It was a great evening to be riding and the trails were pretty quiet, but I wasn't appreciating being on the bike. Didn't help when I wacked my shoulder with a tree on one of the sections I was practicing. But overall, it was a successful day of riding on the rocks. Friday, Nick and I went to CMSP for more of the same. This time it was on Blackmere. We spent quite a bit of time on one sections of trail and I still didn't get the line. I could see what Nick wanted, was wheeling my bike up the rock o...

Round and Round for Operation Rebound at the 24 Hours in the Sage a huge success. Thanks to the riders, the race organization and the Gunnison KOA, we raised over $1000 for Operation Rebound. The money raised will go to support disabled veterans and first responders who have been injured while serving our country. I appreciate everything that 24 HitS and the KOA did to make this event and the race a success. It was great sitting around after the race, knowing that we'd been able to make the fun and challenge of the 24 Hours in the Sage count for so much more. I look forward to next year and to being able to bring the challenge to more racers. I cannot thank the race staff - Mitch Fedak and Traci Rock and all the other race officials, the Gunnison KOA crew and my fellow racers for donating time and money to both the race and to Operation Rebound. If you have one of the Round and Round for Operation Rebound flyers, remember that any donation to Operation Rebound is tax deductible. ...