2012 12 Hour Race: Dawn to Dusk
It’s been long on my bucket list:
Dawn to Dusk.
Alpine 12 hour on SS.
Man, was I ready!! I was so ready, besides now knowing I need 2 hours to primp myself in the morning, I know how to do this, and the worse the weather, the better I’ll do.
25 degrees with 30 mile per hour winds: Chance of Snow and Rain;
NO problem!
As everyone whizzed by me at the start, as I was putting on my gloves after taking my arm warmers and vest off, to save for later in the day. Oh well, what’s a girl to do?!?
The first lap is primarily road. What are you supposed to do with 1 gear; 32 x 18 and 12 hours left to go:
Enjoy the Scenery!
Man, it was beautiful and the weather was perfect!
I wasted no time, well, except for the start, and I was in the 12 hour induced trance that comes so easily to me when called upon. I was glad, because I knew this would make my race. I knew immediately going into this happy 12 hour place, would serve me very well, especially at hour 8.
Through transition, I geared for the biggest part of the course and to run/hike/walk all the major climbs…The one out of transition.
I caught everyone on the climb.
Duh.
Secret:
Running/Walking 6 to 7 mph is faster than riding 3 to 4.
And after hour 6, 95% or greater of all people are walking the major climbs. So why gear for it?
The snow started, and I was in bliss.
It was so peaceful, and I have trained: I have trained in snow, I have trained in ice, I have trained and raced in sub freezing temperatures:
It was the most beautiful place in the world. Everything was perfect.
Then, the sleet came. Pain is temporary, no problem, grab baklava next lap through.
Then, the white out came. No problem. I’m able to overcome all things temporary. Then, the peanut butter came. Ha, Ha, I laugh in the face of peanut butter. I have won Marathon Mountain Bike State Championships in mud worse than this.
I have learned my mud race techniques from failing (to quit, that is) my first Cat 1 Mountain Bike Race. That’s how we learn best, from our mistakes.
That’s why you hire a coach, to help you learn, before you make mistakes.
Bike @ 19#’s, what’s 5 pounds of mud on the tires?!?
Slippery rocks, that’s what feet are for!
Came through second lap, race is cancelled.
I was upset.
I had 2 more changes of clothes, which would have made for at least another 6 hours of comfortable racing in Epic conditions.
Sounds like some people were ill prepared for 1)the cold: cases of hypothermia. That’s not my fault. 2) Snow and Rain: why not?? It was in the forecast.
How do you stay dry in an epic event? Um, that’s tough: plan for it.
I understand the nature of the beast. But if you can’t hang, don’t show up. I was in.
If the course gets too treacherous, re-route some of it.
That’s what separates the winners from the losers, Race Preparation.
Have they ever cancelled Leadville?
How do you prep for ‘A’ race mishaps? Columbine Climb in the snow, sleet and rain. What makes Dawn to Dusk different than Leadville? Nothing. Both are Epic, both you should be prepared for.
I’m no sissy…
I showed up to race, prepared.
I didn’t complain, 1st day of cycle, I knew it would take me 3 days to be human again. I would have complained but I just put my tail in between my legs and came home, and cleaned the house, the floors on my hands and knees.
I got 1st place Female SS
I got 6th Place Overall Female
I got 9th Place Overall Male SS
I got 7th Place Overall Male Masters SS
I got 20th Place Overall Male
I got 13th Place Overall Male Masters
And placed pretty fair overall with the Teams.
Hopefully, I got through those right.
Next time…
Let’s Race!