"You can quit, and nobody else will care, but you will always know"
John Collins, Ironman creator.
I read that quote about a week after I finished one of the hardest races of my life. I had thought about packing it in many times during that race but although I had never seen those words, I had the same feeling, no one would probably think less of me but I would always know that I DNF'd.
I felt prepared for the US Championships as I got into Coach Grant's SUV and settled in for the long ride to Ogden Utah. My training had gone well in the weeks leading up to the race and I felt that I would have a good showing. We stopped for the night in Boise and thanks to Dr. and Mrs Folske, we departed the next morning well rested and very well fed. My other two traveling companions were Rob Jackson and Justin Bernard, the race directors for XTerra Portland.
We got to Ogden, checked into our hotel, and I went for a short run. Ogden is a pretty cool little town and I was able to check out some restaurants for later. Dinner, TV, bed. Not all that exciting but it was a Thursday.
Friday morning, Grant and I went up to Snow Basin to ride part of the course. This was when I realized just how much climbing I would be doing on Saturday. The single track at the base of the mountain was a lot of fun but it was basically all uphill. We rode for 30 minutes, went down to the reservoir to check out the swim area, then hit this bike store for some supplies. It also had a cafe attached to it and I had an awesome lunch.
That night was the "Night of Champions" dinner and along with 158 others, Justin and I were honoured as NW Regional Champions of our respective divisions. We were lei'd and got a shirt with our new title on it. After dinner, I finished preparing my gear and nutrition bottles and watched TV til around 11pm.
As usual on race eve, I didn't sleep well but felt pretty good when I got up. I changed my tri kit 2 or 3 times. I wanted to wear my Challenged Athletes Foundation kit but having just received it, and it being a little tight, I didn't want to chance some major chafing during the swim. In hindsight, I should have worn it anyway as I chafed something fierce from my wetsuit and it was nothing to do with my choice of jersey.
We headed up to T2, left our run gear, then drove down to T1. I had not done a point to point race before and I was nervous that I had not left something that I may have wanted later. Oh well, too late. I didn't end up needing anything extra but I hate that feeling .
Race time was 9am so I went for a short warm up ride around 815am. I got back and someone had taken my spot on the bike rack. Once I pointed out that my swim stuff was right there, he left.....no one takes my spot on the rack, no one.
I got suited up and realized I left my body glide in Grant's truck. We were told we had to put all our swim gear and any other items into a bag before we left T1 so I put everything I didn't need for swimming or biking away.... another reason I am not enjoying point to point racing. I borrowed some glide and went down to have a swim warm up. I ran into a couple of the other PC athletes, Andy May and Megan, both are BK amputees. The water was cool but just fine for a short sleeve wetsuit.
At 9am, the horn blew and everyone, including the pro's, were off. All the pro women were wearing pink caps so I guess for the first time in my triathlon career, I was responsible for ripping someones goggles off. Sorry for that pro woman triathlete, I didn't mean to do it.
I was feeling great physically and after checking my time right as I got out of the water, it read 27:20. There were no timing chips in this race and they included T1 in my swim time so I officially had a 34 minute swim. We had to run up a long boat ramp and part of the parking lot to get to the TZ and that obviously took me a while. I was happy to see people I knew coming out of the water behind me and shouting encouragement because on a point to point, I wasn't likely to see them again.
I got out of the TZ, jumped on my bike, and departed on what turned out to be a very long day in the saddle. They teased me with a mile on the flats, then we entered Wheeler Canyon and began to climb, climb, climb, climb, and did I mention climb??? Holy crap, it was tough on me. I think I still hear "on your left" or some derivative of that in my sleep. I think I can honestly say I climbed for 1.5 hours before I hit the first of only two downhill sections. The first downhill was fun but my body was so tired I almost cooked a few of the turns a little too hot. After that downhill section, the course climbed up to Snow Basin Lodge parking lot and turned into a cool single track section that Grant and I had done the day before. After that, unbeknownst to me, the course went up the ski hill, following part of the chair lift. I was exhausted and I didn't want to go on especially after the previous 2 hours of hell I had just experienced.
This is where my day got longer. I hit a very steep pitch and got off and started pushing my bike up the hill all the while trying to dodge the top age groupers that were flying down the hill on their way to finishing the run. Through the haze, I spotted an Ironhead jersey steaming full speed towards me. I high five'd Matt as he ran his way to a 3rd place finish.
I pushed myself harder, still hiking uphill, and crested the steep part of the climb and I sat down, stared downhill and for the second time, I talked myself out of quitting. While I was sitting there, one of the XTerraTV guys ran up to me with his camera. "How tough is this course?" he asked to which I replied, "a lot tougher than Vegas"....WTF I said that for, I will never know. I was so exhausted, I had nothing better to tell him.
Right after I embarrassed myself on XTerraTV, I got up and pushed on. I got on my bike, granny geared up, and slowly climbed the next pitch of about 6-7% (last climb was at least 18-20%, I'm sure of it!). Justin's dad passed me on his bike, giving me words of encouragement, Rob passed me, running on his way back to the finish, asking if I was OK. I smiled, gave them big props and stopped again. I stopped again, leaned on my bike, looked down the hill towards the finish line, and slowly my vision went bright white and I felt like I was going to fall over. I closed my eyes, took some deep breaths, drank some water, and waited for my sight to return. It seemed to take forever but it came back.
I wandered slowly to the medical tent at the top of the hill and told them of my symptoms but they just told me to walk around a bit. They didn't seem to concerned. I was actually hoping they would pull me from the course for medical reasons but I'm glad they didn't.
I got on my bike again for the last bit of climbing, looking forward to going downhill again. The rest of the bike ride was uneventful. I loved the downhill except for the fact that I was so exhausted, I almost bit it on some of the switchbacks.
I rolled into T2 after about 3:10 on the bike, convinced that I was going to pack it in. I got my running gear on and walked out of transition. I stopped at the timing area and asked where the medical tent was. I was pointed in two different directions. I started up the hill towards the run course and I looked over and saw the med tent. I walked over to it and stood there for a couple of minutes before someone asked if I needed anything. I again, told them my symptoms but no one seemed concerned. If someone wandered into my med tent at a soccer tourney telling me they were dizzy, seeing stars or other visual disturbances, or any other heat injury type symptoms, I would have had them sitting down and getting some ice on them and some water or IV or other electrolytes into them. I almost had to guide them to what I thought was wrong with me. I wont bore you with details but eventually I just got up and walked out (something else i would not have let someone do).
While I was in the med tent, I heard them announce the other 3 PC athletes finishing. I walked over, congratulated them, and told them I hadn't even started the run yet. I also saw Grant, Kaytee, Matt, and Rob in the food line. I told them I wasn't sure I was going to finish and without hesitating, Grant said no one would think any less of me if I DNF'd because of the toughness of the course. That was all I needed to push me on, I knew I was NOT going to DNF after that. I saw Justin while I wandered towards the run course, he said "its not that bad". I had doubts again..... I found a shady spot, sat down, put my head in my hands, stared at the cones that marked the run course, and cried (yes, I did, call me what you will but that's the kind of day I was having). I told myself that if I didn't finish, I didn't deserve to wear the Regional Champ shirt I won the night before so after getting control of myself, I got up and walked up the hill.
Most of the course volunteers were coming down the hill. I got a couple cramps on the way up the steep section but otherwise, I must have gotten my second wind, because I felt pretty damn good. About the 5km mark, I ran out of water and food. My stomach was growling and I was wondering where the next aid station was. A volunteer on a MTB came towards me and said the aid station was only a quarter mile away. I believed him but HE LIED!!! By my calculations, it was at least a mile but it was something to look forward to.
I got to the downhill section, the way home! I walked down the steep part and I could hear Whit announcing winners from the Sport race. He said there would be a 5 minute break and then they would present the pro winners and AG winners from the USA Champs. When I heard that, I broke into a jog. I really wanted to come across the line before he started announcing again.
I came into the finishing chute and Whit spotted me and it was really cool. He had the whole crowd up and cheering for me. It was very emotional, not because of the crowd so much but for the few members of the crowd that came to the finish line to greet me. All the other PC athletes were there, Andy, Craig, and Megan, all my Portland peeps, Grant, Justin, Rob, Matt, and Phil. It was so awesome. I timed my run at 1:50, but with all the messing around in the TZ and the med tent, my official time was 2:15.
I have to say, I will never attempt that course again. Its just too much climbing for me, my size, and my weak leg. I learned from this course and will benefit from doing it. Next season, I hope to win a Maui spot in Vegas so I don't have to try and make it on points plus I can skip the USA Championships which will be in Utah again.
Almost three weeks later, I am still sporting the sunburned arm tattoo of my number so I have something else, besides pain, to remember the race by.
Cyclocross season in full effect! Having fun at that, Im wondering if I will ever grow up.
John Collins, Ironman creator.
I read that quote about a week after I finished one of the hardest races of my life. I had thought about packing it in many times during that race but although I had never seen those words, I had the same feeling, no one would probably think less of me but I would always know that I DNF'd.
I felt prepared for the US Championships as I got into Coach Grant's SUV and settled in for the long ride to Ogden Utah. My training had gone well in the weeks leading up to the race and I felt that I would have a good showing. We stopped for the night in Boise and thanks to Dr. and Mrs Folske, we departed the next morning well rested and very well fed. My other two traveling companions were Rob Jackson and Justin Bernard, the race directors for XTerra Portland.
We got to Ogden, checked into our hotel, and I went for a short run. Ogden is a pretty cool little town and I was able to check out some restaurants for later. Dinner, TV, bed. Not all that exciting but it was a Thursday.
Friday morning, Grant and I went up to Snow Basin to ride part of the course. This was when I realized just how much climbing I would be doing on Saturday. The single track at the base of the mountain was a lot of fun but it was basically all uphill. We rode for 30 minutes, went down to the reservoir to check out the swim area, then hit this bike store for some supplies. It also had a cafe attached to it and I had an awesome lunch.
That night was the "Night of Champions" dinner and along with 158 others, Justin and I were honoured as NW Regional Champions of our respective divisions. We were lei'd and got a shirt with our new title on it. After dinner, I finished preparing my gear and nutrition bottles and watched TV til around 11pm.
As usual on race eve, I didn't sleep well but felt pretty good when I got up. I changed my tri kit 2 or 3 times. I wanted to wear my Challenged Athletes Foundation kit but having just received it, and it being a little tight, I didn't want to chance some major chafing during the swim. In hindsight, I should have worn it anyway as I chafed something fierce from my wetsuit and it was nothing to do with my choice of jersey.
We headed up to T2, left our run gear, then drove down to T1. I had not done a point to point race before and I was nervous that I had not left something that I may have wanted later. Oh well, too late. I didn't end up needing anything extra but I hate that feeling .
Race time was 9am so I went for a short warm up ride around 815am. I got back and someone had taken my spot on the bike rack. Once I pointed out that my swim stuff was right there, he left.....no one takes my spot on the rack, no one.
I got suited up and realized I left my body glide in Grant's truck. We were told we had to put all our swim gear and any other items into a bag before we left T1 so I put everything I didn't need for swimming or biking away.... another reason I am not enjoying point to point racing. I borrowed some glide and went down to have a swim warm up. I ran into a couple of the other PC athletes, Andy May and Megan, both are BK amputees. The water was cool but just fine for a short sleeve wetsuit.
At 9am, the horn blew and everyone, including the pro's, were off. All the pro women were wearing pink caps so I guess for the first time in my triathlon career, I was responsible for ripping someones goggles off. Sorry for that pro woman triathlete, I didn't mean to do it.
I was feeling great physically and after checking my time right as I got out of the water, it read 27:20. There were no timing chips in this race and they included T1 in my swim time so I officially had a 34 minute swim. We had to run up a long boat ramp and part of the parking lot to get to the TZ and that obviously took me a while. I was happy to see people I knew coming out of the water behind me and shouting encouragement because on a point to point, I wasn't likely to see them again.
I got out of the TZ, jumped on my bike, and departed on what turned out to be a very long day in the saddle. They teased me with a mile on the flats, then we entered Wheeler Canyon and began to climb, climb, climb, climb, and did I mention climb??? Holy crap, it was tough on me. I think I still hear "on your left" or some derivative of that in my sleep. I think I can honestly say I climbed for 1.5 hours before I hit the first of only two downhill sections. The first downhill was fun but my body was so tired I almost cooked a few of the turns a little too hot. After that downhill section, the course climbed up to Snow Basin Lodge parking lot and turned into a cool single track section that Grant and I had done the day before. After that, unbeknownst to me, the course went up the ski hill, following part of the chair lift. I was exhausted and I didn't want to go on especially after the previous 2 hours of hell I had just experienced.
This is where my day got longer. I hit a very steep pitch and got off and started pushing my bike up the hill all the while trying to dodge the top age groupers that were flying down the hill on their way to finishing the run. Through the haze, I spotted an Ironhead jersey steaming full speed towards me. I high five'd Matt as he ran his way to a 3rd place finish.
I pushed myself harder, still hiking uphill, and crested the steep part of the climb and I sat down, stared downhill and for the second time, I talked myself out of quitting. While I was sitting there, one of the XTerraTV guys ran up to me with his camera. "How tough is this course?" he asked to which I replied, "a lot tougher than Vegas"....WTF I said that for, I will never know. I was so exhausted, I had nothing better to tell him.
Right after I embarrassed myself on XTerraTV, I got up and pushed on. I got on my bike, granny geared up, and slowly climbed the next pitch of about 6-7% (last climb was at least 18-20%, I'm sure of it!). Justin's dad passed me on his bike, giving me words of encouragement, Rob passed me, running on his way back to the finish, asking if I was OK. I smiled, gave them big props and stopped again. I stopped again, leaned on my bike, looked down the hill towards the finish line, and slowly my vision went bright white and I felt like I was going to fall over. I closed my eyes, took some deep breaths, drank some water, and waited for my sight to return. It seemed to take forever but it came back.
I wandered slowly to the medical tent at the top of the hill and told them of my symptoms but they just told me to walk around a bit. They didn't seem to concerned. I was actually hoping they would pull me from the course for medical reasons but I'm glad they didn't.
I got on my bike again for the last bit of climbing, looking forward to going downhill again. The rest of the bike ride was uneventful. I loved the downhill except for the fact that I was so exhausted, I almost bit it on some of the switchbacks.
I rolled into T2 after about 3:10 on the bike, convinced that I was going to pack it in. I got my running gear on and walked out of transition. I stopped at the timing area and asked where the medical tent was. I was pointed in two different directions. I started up the hill towards the run course and I looked over and saw the med tent. I walked over to it and stood there for a couple of minutes before someone asked if I needed anything. I again, told them my symptoms but no one seemed concerned. If someone wandered into my med tent at a soccer tourney telling me they were dizzy, seeing stars or other visual disturbances, or any other heat injury type symptoms, I would have had them sitting down and getting some ice on them and some water or IV or other electrolytes into them. I almost had to guide them to what I thought was wrong with me. I wont bore you with details but eventually I just got up and walked out (something else i would not have let someone do).
While I was in the med tent, I heard them announce the other 3 PC athletes finishing. I walked over, congratulated them, and told them I hadn't even started the run yet. I also saw Grant, Kaytee, Matt, and Rob in the food line. I told them I wasn't sure I was going to finish and without hesitating, Grant said no one would think any less of me if I DNF'd because of the toughness of the course. That was all I needed to push me on, I knew I was NOT going to DNF after that. I saw Justin while I wandered towards the run course, he said "its not that bad". I had doubts again..... I found a shady spot, sat down, put my head in my hands, stared at the cones that marked the run course, and cried (yes, I did, call me what you will but that's the kind of day I was having). I told myself that if I didn't finish, I didn't deserve to wear the Regional Champ shirt I won the night before so after getting control of myself, I got up and walked up the hill.
Most of the course volunteers were coming down the hill. I got a couple cramps on the way up the steep section but otherwise, I must have gotten my second wind, because I felt pretty damn good. About the 5km mark, I ran out of water and food. My stomach was growling and I was wondering where the next aid station was. A volunteer on a MTB came towards me and said the aid station was only a quarter mile away. I believed him but HE LIED!!! By my calculations, it was at least a mile but it was something to look forward to.
I got to the downhill section, the way home! I walked down the steep part and I could hear Whit announcing winners from the Sport race. He said there would be a 5 minute break and then they would present the pro winners and AG winners from the USA Champs. When I heard that, I broke into a jog. I really wanted to come across the line before he started announcing again.
I came into the finishing chute and Whit spotted me and it was really cool. He had the whole crowd up and cheering for me. It was very emotional, not because of the crowd so much but for the few members of the crowd that came to the finish line to greet me. All the other PC athletes were there, Andy, Craig, and Megan, all my Portland peeps, Grant, Justin, Rob, Matt, and Phil. It was so awesome. I timed my run at 1:50, but with all the messing around in the TZ and the med tent, my official time was 2:15.
I have to say, I will never attempt that course again. Its just too much climbing for me, my size, and my weak leg. I learned from this course and will benefit from doing it. Next season, I hope to win a Maui spot in Vegas so I don't have to try and make it on points plus I can skip the USA Championships which will be in Utah again.
Almost three weeks later, I am still sporting the sunburned arm tattoo of my number so I have something else, besides pain, to remember the race by.
Cyclocross season in full effect! Having fun at that, Im wondering if I will ever grow up.
1 comment:
Sounds gnarly. I'm planning on joining you for one of these next season...
Cheers,
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