For the last 3 Septembers I have pushed myself to go beyond my comfort zone to complete in my longest race of the year, the Black Bear Rampage. This amazing endurance race is organized by Scott's Bicycle Centre. With over 4,600 feet of elevation gain on a 40 mile race route, it is one brutal ride for this full-time nurse practitioner and mom of three. The last 2 years I have finished with the most excruciating cramps and complete exhaustion. I was determined to better my time and finish strong this year.
After many nights of comparing professional training programs, looking at sample daily ride routines and discussing possible options with my husband, it was clear that I did not have enough time to train for this kind of race. Realistically life was not going to allow me to train like a single women who had no other obligations, other than to ride, sleep, and repeat. Seeing my frustration, my husband did some research, used google calendar and complied a training schedule that was manageable. It was not heavy on riding the bike, included running as well as strength training. If you know me, I am not runner!! We were all going to have to make sacrifices for this to work. I was going to have to run up to two 5Ks per week. And, with the help of the best trainer ever and an even better friend, Ginger Sillery, I upped my weight program.
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| Ginger and me on a training ride |
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| Love these wheels! |
When race day came I had completed 11 weeks of 6 day a week training, and felt good riding at a moderate pace for 40 miles. It was the most prepared I have ever been for the Black Bear. Thanks to the guys at Scott's Bicycle Centre, my bike was tuned, fresh with a set of new Bontrager Line Pro 30 wheels and a new Bontrager XXX carbon seat post. It is all about the motion in the ocean, this girl likes her squish. I was set! Hurricane Irma was churning North, but hadn't made it up the coast of Florida. The weather was beautiful with temperatures in the 70's and low humidity! The air was light and breezy, the perfect fall weather. Better make this ride count, rain was on the way.
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| MY BOY! |
My son, Brady, was racing the Black Bear Rampage, as well, in the 7 mile kids race. He was set to start his race an hour before my race. He is a natural beast on the bike but had not been able to ride all summer due to a broken arm. I knew he could finish in time to see me at the start line, I hoped. Sure enough, as I stood there watching the clock tick towards 9 am, I looked up and saw my boy, sweat soaked hair and all. He finished in 46 minutes, 2 minutes faster than the second place finisher. Proud mama moment!
After exchanging congratulations, I started to look around me. I knew my competition was tough this year. Carey Lowery was the sure winner in the women's expert class. Then there was Monica and Beth. They had both been training with a professional endurance expert. They were in the best cycling fitness of their lives. Starr was another formidable competitor. To say she is fast is an understatement. I do not think I have ever come close to her lap times in previous races. Plus, Ali Whittier, another super strong, super fast, badass cyclist. To count myself amongst these women was inspiring. I did have to remind myself this is not a race against them. This race is against myself and my goals.
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| The Start Line |
We started on the long 1 mile, uphill road climb. I tried to keep the other gals in my sight but they were steadily spinning there mountain bikes up the hill as good roadies would, I say roadies with love. I did not want to start too fast and waste valuable energy. I kept my pace at a comfortable level, not letting my heart rate reach 180. As I entered the singletrack on Brush Creek, I kept singing "Glorious" by Macklemore. I was going to have a great day!!
The first 13 miles were great. I was feeling relaxed and keeping a good speed. Craig and Brady were at the US Forestry bridge to cheer me on. It is hard to miss Craig's booming voice over the others. The climb up Bear Paw was uneventful. By the time I reached Thunder Rock Express, I had settled into a pattern of being passed by a few guys on the uphills and dropping them on the downhills. I knew Craig would be waiting for me at the bottom of Thunder Rock with a feed bag. He always seems to be exactly where I need him, when I need him. I had not eaten as much as I had planned. It was okay though, I was feeling great. Now for the second half of the course, time to start climbing. The next 4 miles contained 900 feet of elevation gain on gravel and singletrack. UGH! This is the time I just put my head down and pedal damn it. I talked to a few guys, sang, tried to laugh at myself, what ever it took not to have a mental self pity party of one. I knew after the climbing there was some epic down hill with a few good root drops and turns. I was ready! Quartz Loop is always where I hit the exhaustion "wall". This time as I hit the wall, I just made sure to keep spinning and not let the dark side take over. It worked. I was a little slower than I would have liked but I did not stall out. I was not cramping. River View did not disappoint on the downhill but climbing back out was tough. Greg Highwood had kept me company up some of the epic climbs and joined me again on this one. It was nice to have his motivation and a smiling face to help me push on.
Now it was time to rest as I descended 500 feet in the next 2 miles. I just kept telling myself I had to conserve energy to climb Boyds Gap. I met Craig at feed zone stop #2, back at the bottom of Bear Paw, exchanged water bottles, got some electrolyte blocks and took a Isogenix energy drink. All that in preparation for the next climb. I had no idea how I was doing on time,it didn't matter. I was focused on my heart rate zone of 155-175 as I pedaled back along Old Copper Road, an abandon roadbed that once was used to haul copper ore. It is now a long snaky trail with lots of rock and roots. I was feeling some muscle tightness in my inner quads. No! I was not going to cramp, it was not part of the plan! Mind over body! I kept my steady pace until I hit the road climb before Boyds. I did not push myself too much up the road. I knew I needed to keep to a gentle spin and listen to my legs. As I was passed by a guy, he asked if we were going to climb the same singletrack we came down earlier in the day. I replied with a smiling YASSS! His response contained words not appropriate for gentle ears. I was passed yet again by the same couple of guys that I had passed earlier on the downhill sections. This girl is getting better on downhills!
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| TOP GUN! |
It was now time to accomplish my third goal. My legs were screaming at me. So I started my chant "No Pain, Just Strength". These 4 words kept my mind focused and my legs moving. I passed the two wonder climbers as they were walking up the mid section of the climb. Now it was time to test my will against the extreme grade with rock and water damage. Had to the front wheel light and traction on the back wheel. NO PAIN, JUST STRENGTH! Then I heard his voice..."COME ON DUDE!" It was Craig! He did not realize it was me. His voice echoing down the trail. I had heard him in the distance, trying to motivate other riders. I was now the one he was cheering on. His voice was the last bit of motivation I needed to keep my feet in the pedals and the wheels moving. I was going to do this!! Ground do not give out on me now. Craig finally recognized me, he started yelling more and louder. I really cannot tell you exactly what he was saying as I was repeating those 4 words over and over, NO PAIN, JUST STRENGTH! I really wanted to stop climbing...I could see the top. I was focusing more and more on keeping my weight balanced and my legs moving. I made it!! I CLEARED IT!..I DID IT! I couldn't believe it. What an amazing feat for me...happy dance in the saddle! I felt sick from the combination of exhaustion and exultation, but had to keep moving!
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| NO PAIN! |
Time to finish strong! As I turned the corner off Brush Creek to the steep grade fire road climb, he was there waiting for me, my wonderful husband...again yelling at me/with me/for me, finish line was in sight. He was running beside me, telling me to dig deep. I looked at the race clock, 4 hours 13 minutes!! YES, I screamed. I dug deeper and pedaled harder finishing in just over 4 hours and 14 minutes! What a great ride, what a great race, what a great accomplishment.
Until next year Black Bear and Boyds Gap...sub 4:10!
#MTBINPEARLS
Mountain Biking Mom
