This is part four in a five part series, I have written about my experience with training, racing and the adventures of 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo in 2023.
Part 4 The Race-Sunday
Saturday night I set my alarm for 6:00 am with the intent of assessing my situation. If all systems are a go, I can go out for a sunrise lap.
I slept the entire night. My alarm went off at 6:00am and I snoozed. No motivation, no desire, nothing. But something happened at 7am. I all of a sudden felt the need to go out and see how I’d feel on a lap. Quickly, I got dressed. Drank a cup of coffee, had some oatmeal and told my brother I’m just going to pedal an easy lap and see how I feel.
This time I put my headphones on as to not lose another earbud and finally could listen to some podcasts I had lined up for the day before.
At 7:44am, I was off on the bike course onto my 6th lap. I had spend 12 hours off the bike during the race. I slept an entire night. That was never my plan. But my plan was also to come here and to have fun. I chose to call it the night before because I would have pedaled myself into misery. I ride my bike because it’s fun, I train because it’s fun, I enjoy the entire process of racing because it’s fun for me and when it stops being fun, that is when I will stop and evaluate what I’m doing. Had I pushed my body to continue when it was telling me to stop, would have been foolish. The fun had stopped.
It took me about 30 minutes to fall into a groove but I started to come around and feel like myself. “OK, good” I thought. “Let’s not put this fitness and training to waste. Let’s pound out as many laps as I can this morning.”
I finished my first morning lap in 1:22. Whoa! I was back on my normal pace. Ok this is good. I swung by the RV and brother was already outside waiting for me. I told him I was feeling well and I was going to continue on. The fun had returned. Out on the course, I was smiling and cheering people on. I passed a few people I knew and had some friendly chats. I’m back to my normal self, this was how all of yesterday was supposed to go.
I ticked off another lap in 1:20. At the RV I did a quick feed exchange and I told brother I’m going to go for two more laps. Which meant I had to finish my next lap before noon. I asked him to meet me on the other side of the exchange tent instead of the RV so I could ensure I’d get through the next lap before 12pm.
On my 8th lap I came in at 11:48am, with plenty of time to spare. I had just clocked my fastest 24 HOP lap of all time 1:18, including years past. Baffling…considering how I felt last night.
My last lap was “my party lap”. I was out on course at noon and had plenty of time to finish the last lap as quickly or as slowly as I had see fit. I had ridden myself back into the top ten. A little carrot I had for myself when I went out for the morning laps.
I met my brother on the other side of the tent and he handed me my nutrition. At this point I realized I was getting pretty famished. Can you get me a snickers and meet me at the Whiskey Tree in 45-50 minutes? I asked him. The Whiskey Tree is 10 miles into the course and loops back closely to the start/finish area so its easy for him to meet me there. Once I come around, I see him and grab my snickers. I stop and chat with him for a bit before I continue on to finish the last 6 miles of 24HOP 2023.
At this point, I am happy for myself. I am pleased I was able to go back out and put down another 5.5 hours and 65 miles of hard riding, after the defeat I had faced the night before. The morning had been fun and I felt more like myself.
I finished 9 laps. 148miles. Yes… this is my worst showing at 24 HOP. BUT I finished 9 laps and was off the bike for 12 hours. I ate a full dinner and slept an entire night. I know what my body is capable on a good day. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards for me this year. I have been fortunate to have 2 great showings at the past two 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, so I was ok with my race. Also, I had just had a phenomenal race and result at the Dawn to Dusk 12 Hour in December. And this is only the first race of 2023. I have so much ahead of me this year.
This was by far, the year I had the most fun. Having my brother here for the weekend was really special. We had many laughs. Made memories. Saw old friends and met new friends.
Taking the night off during the race gave me new perspective of a different way to experience 24HOP. I can come and race my bike, take the night off and go back out in the morning. I don’t have to beat my body down for a 24 hour effort if I don’t feel the need.
Going into this race, I was considering this may be my last solo attempt. But NOPE…. I don’t think it is. This experience gave me new perspective. 24 Hour Town is too magical to walk away from and not return for more. I can’t wait to come back.
But wait!… My 2023 24HOP story does not stop here…. to be continued.
Fueled By TheFeed.
Leave a Reply