First Races, Crashes and a "Good" Race

My first race, at age forty, the Mt. Washington Hillclimb included a “training” regimen of riding about once a week, for about an hour or two. (Granted, it included 3 or 4 laps up “The Wall”, but still…) My impressive training paid off with a ride time of about 2:20 for the 8 mile distance. Granted it was steep, but still, there were spectators strolling the course who were going about the same speed I was going. In the end I needed help just getting off the bike.

During my first 24 hour race, I crashed at about 6:00 am, doing the now patented move that I call the “rag doll pile-driver.”  (Totally loose in the body, like a rag doll, landing square on the top of the head like a pile-driver, though my recollection may not be 100% clear.) My second (I think) 24 hour race, I went out too fast in the 90/90 weather (95+ degrees, 90+ humidity), did three laps and spent the rest of the race in my tent rolling in pain from cramps. I ultimately figured out a plan that worked for me and the 24 hour format, but it took a couple more races.

My first run at the Breck Epic included a crash at the end of Day2. Then starting Day3 I had absolutely nothing in me and had a total breakdown after the paved road climb but just prior to dropping in to the Aspen Tunnel. But I rested, recovered and nailed days 4, 5 and 6 which included Mt. Guyot and Wheeler Pass. But just sitting there at the final dinner/party, knowing that I was not going to get a buckle, I really, really wanted one and I knew that I had to come back. I did get my buckle for my second and third Breck Epics. (It was just a stupid belt buckle, but still…)

I mention this because of what this portends for my first run at the CTR in August. Failing involves learning, yea, I get that. And the subsequent refining and honing of the plan and dealing with the logistics is sort of fun, too. But in bigger races where the time and effort and money involved just to get to the start line is so much larger, the idea of not finishing is not a happy thought. It would be great if on my first effort, I could not just finish, but also be in great shape, put in a great effort, and be happy with the results. This is an odd admission from the person whose idea of a great race is one where, prior to the race, you aren’t sure if you will even be able to finish it.

And if that is a requirement for a great race, then the CTR definitely qualifies.