Test Of Humanity 4hour Enduro

[ScottH]

Yesterday I had my first mountain bike race. Had tons of fun and learned a lot.

The month leading up to the race had very little riding, with injury, school, and sickness. So my goal for the day was to ride the whole four hours and keep everything under control, including my bike as I had not pre ridden the course as planned. It was a 10k loop, not technical, and very rolling. Great course, great event.

First lap: 46:50( including extra bit at start) avg hr- 166. I knew this being my longest event yet, I should start with a conservative effort. My pace was a bit less controlled than other laps because of all the other riders. I was sure to drink at least one bottle of fuel and a little water to wash it down each lap. Eload and Efly went down great, along with a few jells and a banana throughout the race.

Second: 45:09 avg hr-163. Felt very controlled, warmed up and good to go, but kept in mind it was just the beginning.

Third: 46:07 avg hr- 165. This was by far the worst feeling of my whole day. Just felt drained overall, but no particular system felt weak. I’m guessing this was just me getting tired.

4rth: 57:22 avg hr- 157.  I felt much better after I took on some more fuel, and now getting ready to push a little harder as I knew I’d be done soon, unfortunately my chain got jammed between my spokes and cassette. I don’t know how long I sat there trying to fix it, but it sure felt like forever. Eventually it was fixed and I rode on.

5th: Something close to 49 minutes, avg hr- 164. I started this lap with my mom yelling at me , “you gotta hall ass!.” I only had 45 minutes to finish my 5th lap. Heading out I started to hall ass as fast as I could without cramping which was about 175. For 30 minutes I was convinced I could make it. I was taking deep slow breathes which seemed to help my legs. Then 10 minutes from the finish, I’m on the ground wanting my muma as I had the worst cramp ever in my calf and a jumbo one on the other leg in my quad. So I sat there for a minute or 2 and just waited till it let go. Any tips on making that happen faster? I doubt it was lack of salt or water that caused it because I had drank tons. Maybe it was all the absorbing or lack of race pace training? Anyways after that I hiked a bike up on the ups and tested my seat tube on the downs. Finished 6 minutes late for my fifth lap which stunk because if I didn’t have the mechanical I probably could have made it.

I have A LOT of room for improvement, but with some better preparation I believe I could do much better next time. I felt great mentally, but wondered in the last two laps whether to go fast first, and have some time to spare second, do the opposite, or just stay steady eddy. Also, I will focus on my technical skills. Physiologically getting the cramping under control will be a goal. Looking forward to more racing.

Thanks for reading!

[StephenU]

Nice Job Scottie!  Welcome to the world of uber-suffering endurance mountain bike racing!!  I was excited to hear that you were giving that race a shot!  I would expect that you would line up with the rest of us next year in Salmon Arm for the Salty Dog 6 hour...
You should join us for some super long mtb rides and around the lake rides to figure out how hard you can push yourself without cramping.  I remember your crampisode when you rode with us at McDougall rim earlier this year.  Maybe The Matterhorn can help you deal with the cramping demons!

Again, good job!

[Andrew]

When I saw Schleck this morning, he was giving Scott HUGE props for his efforts at the Enduro. What impressed him most was your willingness to try to make the final lap, knowing that it was going to be tight, and the enthusiasm of your Mom in getting you going. So, GREAT effort from the whole Harrhy clan!!

For sure, the best way to approach these epic events is with a goal of staying steady throughout. Even if it means giving up a few minutes in the opening lap. Witness Corey Wallace's domination at Salty Dog 2011 (see results for details), and with Brad Wiggins recent result at TT worlds. In fact, EVERY major world record at distance running events have been set with wither an even split or negative split approach. It is certainly difficult to sell this idea to the mtb crowd who live and die by the motto, "go out hard and die like a pig". But the BPR crew is learning, and getting better with each season at burying the old stereotypes, and opening their minds to new avenues to success.

Review Ceamperhorns reports from BCBR, where he finally figures out how to avoid cramping. It may surprise you that it had more to do with pacing than with hydration and salt issues we had tried for over a year. That, and a focus on coordination and resp control.

GREAT WORK SCOTTY!!

[kiwichris]

Great report Scott, and really happy that you got a chance to race late in the season given your last month of unfortunate circumstances.
It sounds to me like your pacing strategy was good on paper, maybe not so good in practice. Given your balance point is around 166-170, your first lap may have been a little quick out of the gate, putting your limiting system under stress and playing catch up for the next 3 hours..... In saying that, good on you for toughing it out with mechanical issues and good on Sue for kicking your butt around for the last lap!!
Talk to you soon
Chris

[W Ellis]

Good news on the cramping , that race had 8 climbs all under 1 km which makes for a hard day it takes the flow right out of the game. I was helping 3 of the faster guys there & they all had the same problem michael Robinson ( race winner) Ron Ellis & Evan Guthrie . And all 3 guys were drinking & eating completly different during the race & pacing different also . The only thing in common was they were all trying to WIN. I think the more you race a MTb the easier it gets to deal with cramps.