So it took me two tries to get through this years’ first Double Century. I attempted to do Planet Ultra’s: Heartbreak Double Century on May 28th, but the course had a different objective. It showed me that it takes a bit more preparation to tackle this type of Ride. Determination is a necessity, but not a cure all for a Double Metric. When training for a Double Century it is important to remember that it is going to be a long day and the harder you push, the more it will cost near the end.
I learned my lesson the hard way at Heartbreak and I was determined to never have to see that DNF behind my name again. This time at Eastern Sierra Double Century I would not be out smarted by the race. I made sure I got rest the week before and sleep (a couple nights before). I also arrived early and was able to be prepared for whatever was to be thrown at me this time.
I finished work at 8pm and headed out, only to need to run back home for another missing item. Now, it’s 9pm and I’m just hitting the road, with 4+ hours to go. I grab a bite to eat and some caffeine to keep me awake. I drive straight there, with one stop to refill the caffeine. I arrive and of course I’m wide awake, so I take a few minutes to set-up everything for later. I finally get to sleep and I wake up an hour later ready to go. Yes, one hour of sleep, that’s going to cost a bit later. OK, so I prepare my Prolong, Endurolytes, a few Gels, and water, water, water. (I made the mistake at Heartbreak to not taking enough water on just one section of the ride and I paid for it the rest of the day and it eventually cost me the finish). I head over to the start line to finish my check in and get my Bib #764. As I get to my bike they begin and people start shuffling by the starter telling him their number as they head off.
I begin lightly, staying in a group of riders to get my legs going. Within a few miles I notice they are a bit slow for my pace so I take off and catch up with a few vigorous riders. We started with 3, then 5, then 9, and by the time we got to the first rest stop we numbered 17 riders. The stop ended up taking me too long and I missed a bunch of people that were with me. I didn’t worry too much and headed out to try and possibly catch up, Mistake #1. This got me going a little too hard this early and as I hit the first long climb my HR(heart rate was already 165). I wasn’t sure if this was due to the altitude or the push that I had been doing. So I backed off a bit and got into a good pace that I could maintain for a long period. My HR was still 160, but having it drop as I was still going up was satisfactory. This first climb wasn’t real steep but it carried on for a good portion, and after a mile of downhill the temperature had noticeably dropped about 15 degrees. Since we were starting another long climb I didn’t pay much attention to it, and within a couple minutes I was heating up again. I was joined by a great rider, Shawn, that climbed like Contador, and after the next stop we were joined by another that was similar to Schlek. Yes, I put riders into categories, I am Type A… what do you expect? Both riders kept me pushing through the climbs even all the way through Mammoth Mt. and then the downhill came. OH YES! This was a blast, all that climbing about 65miles, was for this 4 mile stretch of 45mph. Then in the middle of the last downhill stretch they put the next stop, darn it.
After a quick stretch and bite to eat, finish that little downhill and climb, climb, climb, to June Lake. Finally, rollers for the next 15 miles and then a downhill to the aid station. In the middle of the rollers the rain started coming down and all of a sudden I was by myself again, as everyone stopped to put on rain gear. I had already been wearing my jacket so I just got through the rain as quickly as I could. By the time I came out to the highway 395 I was again alone and I headed to Mono Lake where the Lunch was prepared for us. This was again a nice relief for now, the wind was at our backs and it was a good 3miles downhill. The one thing that I couldn’t stop thinking, I had to climb back up that, into the wind.
Lunch was about a 45min break and quick stretch to get the kinks out after 102miles in 7:02 with 7500’ of climbing. Knowing that we had 98miles, but only 3000’ left of climbing was somehow a relief. As we began our trek home Shawn and I noticed quickly that the wind was going to play a big part in how to attack this second half. We started with about 3-5min intervals of leading then the other would take over for a bit. One the way back we hit a 10miles section that looked like I was back in AZ at the Ironman. Accept these winds were 35-40mph instead of 20-25mph. I dropped into my aero position and climbed the whole 10miles in front. This is my part of the ride that I excel the most in, with all the training in Santa Clarita. Where, you are always going Uphill, downhill, and always (somehow) into the wind. By the time we hit the next climb of 17miles I was rejuvenated from the flat and a small downhill that I got up to 50.6mph. Now to buckle into a good pace and climb, climb, climb. This was the last significant climb of the day, all the rest were just large rollers(HaHa) yeah just wait! By the time we got to the top I was ready to be done with the climbs.
The next part started with a downhill and rollers so I filled up my water bottle to give me a little extra weight. This was the best thing I did all day. I ended up using all that water before the next stop. That next part did start with a nice downhill, but the wind was negating any of the benefits, then the rollers, with a big side wind. I learned from riding in the wind to try and position yourself and your bike to harness that side wind and have it help you push through. This worked great again, but now I was alone again and as soon as I made the turn of 20miles of uphill rollers into the strong head winds I wish I had someone to help with this. But, doing Ironman’s has taught me to go at it alone, without the opportunity to draft in those competitions. So I dropped into my aero position and went to work. By the time I arrived at the next aid station I had passed all the people that I had seen during the day and now I would be alone for that last home stretch of 36miles straight into the wind. The supporters at the aid station were cheering when I arrived and saying how I may get back before dark if I got going. They really pumped me up for the final push, but I kept looking back down that road for any sign of help for this next part.
Looking at my watch and noticing 5:30pm, and 36miles to go, I figured I could try for 12mph and get back by 8:30pm. This was the plan. Unfortunately, someone forgot to notify the head winds of 35-40mph, gust of 50+ for the entire return trip. I started out on a flat doing 8mph and knowing that it was going to take 4.5hours at this pace. I finally hit a downhill and picked it up to 15mph and then 11mph on the next flat. Then I got blown off the road into the dirt, and somehow stayed upright. Now a dust storm was picking up in front of me and I knew it would hit me soon, whether I stopped or kept going, so I pushed on. Not being able to see posed a difficult task to stay on the road, but I fought through, now at 6mph. When I finally hit another slight downhill the winds seemed to pickup even more and I only got up to 13mph and 10mph on the flat. I finally came up to a gas station where one of the volunteers had set up a make shift aid station from the back of his truck. So, I filled up with some water and took a little nutrition.
About this time I was ready to just stop, and wait for SAG to take me back. The volunteer explained it was only 13 more miles and there was a group that was coming up from behind me that could help with the finish. So, I waited about 15min before I finally saw the group come over a rise and head toward me. Now I was feeling a little better and I got up the nerve to finish this off. I got going thinking that they would catch up to me rather quickly, since I was only going 10mph into the wind alone. After about 3 miles I looked back to still see them about 100yards back. At the stop I had taken in too much sugar and my body didn’t care for it. So I just sipped some water and waited for them to catch up. With 8miles to go, I jumped in the pace line and away we went. It’s so much nicer working at 40% to get the same amount of distance done. By the time it was my turn to lead I picked the pace back up to 10mph and kept it there for 5min, then I dropped back and the next guy picked it up to 12, and the next surged to 14mph. By this time, part of the group was breaking off, unable to keep up and I was stuck behind them. So, as always I took off and caught up to the front group now going 15mph into the wind. By the time I caught them I could see the town clearly right in front of us, like it came out of mid where. The final mile was through stop lights and cheering each other on, on our accomplishment.
This ride taught me how to plan, prepare, execute, and stay focused, as well as use what I’ve learned from my Ironman training to get through the tough spots. I used others to help get me through parts and helped others through other parts. Many of the people that finished that ride with me had done numerous rides this year alone. They all were happy healthy individuals from a wide range of ages (20’s-71). Along with my Fortius Team mates these people were the friendliest and most encouraging group of people I’ve ever met.
On my track to do Furnace Creek 508 this year, I met 3 others that will also be riding 508 with me, as solo riders. And all of this is just another step in my journey toward Ultraman. This is really a totally different beast than Ironman, and will take even more preparation and training to accomplish. I have a hard time grasping a 50mile run the next day after that ride, but it will come. One Step At A Time.
In closing, I’d like to thank Coach Gerardo, Fortius Racing, for all the advice and wisdom that I get from you every time I see you. Even though it seems I don’t always listen, I really do, Thanks. Also, Herbalife’s new PROLONG, this is my one main drink that gets me through every large endurance event, thanks John. Lastly, my mechanical support, TriLab, you’re the greatest Chris. That’s the only place the touches either of my bikes. Thanks Chris & Cindy Waller & the GymJam family for all the support and time you guys give me to accomplish these Rides & Races, it really has been great getting back into shape.
