HC100 Race Report - Mrs

I wasn’t sure what to expect for my first 100 mile race.  In part that might be because the course wasn’t even finalized until a few weeks before the race, when I was already well into taper mode.  I had done my training rides, but there was no way to know for sure what the weather would hold, if there would be any mechanicals, etc.  We had heat in the mid 90s the week leading up to the race, but luckily race day was forecast in the mid 80s.  The morning in question we woke up and left as scheduled, but for some reason I didn’t have time to be nervous.  By the time I got ready, got in line for the Port-A-Potty and got my bike, the race was starting.  I didn’t even have time to find Tiago before we took off.  We hit the road for our warm up before the first climb.  It was really fun to ride in the group and get carried along towards the singletrack.  On the way I even found Tiago!  We chatted for a bit and turned onto the first sandy singletrack, and then he left to go try and drop everyone so he didn’t get stuck behind them on the steep uphill section, Duodenum. 

I felt okay on this section, my heart rate was up but that was not unexpected.  The next section was relatively flat fire road, and then a quick climb up to Wanoga.  I still felt pretty good, but reminded myself that it was not bound to last.  When I rolled into Wanoga, I saw some familiar faces from my teammates, Kat and Katie.  Unfortunately they couldn’t find my bag, and the aid station was actually used twice.  Mentally that shook me up a little, but I filled up on water and kept going.  I had enough food in my camelbak that I didn’t need my special caffeine gel things.  I kept on trucking and hit the sandy section that was the underpass.  I was wasting a lot of energy trying to spin through the sand, and then at the underpass had to get off my bike and walk up the hill.  Luckily I was in good company, because  out of the group I was in I didn’t see anyone who could ride that section.  As we started to get back on our bikes I was riding the same pace with a girl named Asha, who I had never met but knew by the name was the wife of the physical therapist who had done my running evaluation at Rebound.  We rolled into Aid 2 at the same time, where they had PB&J sandwiches and oranges.  MMMMM.  I realized I must already be behind on calories, so after eating at least 3 quarter sandwiches, I got back on the bike.

The next section I knew better than any other, and it seemed to fly by.  I was by myself at that point, weaving through the trees and mentally prepping for the big climb of the day. Unfortunately, I forgot that Skyliner trail was actually not totally downhill.  I pulled into Skyliner and ate at least 8 orange sections.  I couldn’t stop eating them.  I had someone lube the chain and wipe my sunglasses clean, and then got ready to start climbing.  As I pedaled up 4601 there was a very enthusiastic family on the side of the road that started screaming at the top of their lungs when every rider went by.  It was a huge mental bolster, and I was spinning steadily up the road to Mrazek.  Mrazek itself was okay until I got to the steepest section on it.  It never seemed to get any easier. I was starting to get tired, and because of the heat was drinking a lot of water.  Before I got to Happy Valley I realized I was completely out of water.  I was starting to feel nauseous and lightheaded,  and knew I was in trouble.  At one of the creek crossings, after walking due to fatigue for way too long, I decided to go ahead and drink the water.  I figured if I got sick it wouldn’t be until well after the race was over.  In fact, I never did.

After walking through countless snow drifts I was starting to question whether I would finish.  I definitely didn’t plan on that much hike-a-bike.  I finally hit the top, and knew that all was good.  Though it did seem to take forever to get to Dutchman, Aid 5, I finally reached it.  Mark, the mechanic from Pine Mountain was there to help, and I also saw Jay, Asha’s husband, with their kids.  He offered my pizza and couldn’t seem to understand why everyone kept declining his offer.  I did however guzzle at least 5 dixie cups of flat coke, at least one entire orange, and some more sandwiches.  Feeling a second wind from the coke at least mentally, I pedaled up the short climb out of Dutchman and the fun downhill until I hit the sandy section we had climbed up before.  More hike-a-bike up to Wanoga, and I didn’t even stop.  Going up Tiddlywinks  I realized how many times I had climbed this same course on the 24 hour race I had done each of the preceding two years.  Cursing the course director, I finally reached the top of the hill and got ready.  The next section was the best all day, down down and more down.  Flowy and fast.  Just as I was about to pull back onto the road I slid sideways on a sandy corner.  Then my gear started skipping, and as I was starting to pedal towards the final turn to home my chain snapped.  I was not at a good place to stop, so I walked up the short hill to the corner. There a woman was asking if I needed help and our friend Don came over and said Hi Erin.  I thought I was hallucinating at that point, since I did not expect to see anyone I knew.  I was able to get the chain put back together with a quick link.  9 miles to go.  People honked as they drove by, and I could not wait to get to the finish line.  I almost missed the single track turn off into the Athletic Club, but with a quick turn I was pedaling past the outdoor swimming pool.  Cruel.  Just cruel.  I was finally there and met with a cold coke and ice cold washcloth.  Ahhhh.  Heaven.  Tiago was there to greet me, looking like he was way too refreshed.  He had come in a long time before me, crushing it on the singlespeed.  I was just glad I had finished in one piece with no new injuries.  Straight to get my growler for finishing.