24 HOA Conyers, GA 2005
Better late then never right?
Doing well at 24 Hours of Adrenaline was once again one the main goals of my season and once again I came close. Last year I could say it was the best race of my season, actually it was my best 24 hour effort ever. This year was marked by a new arrival to the Conyers race in Ernesto Marenchin who had placed 2nd at the 24HOA World Solo Championships a month earlier.
I had pegged Ernie as my main competitor and as the race unfolded my hunch was proven correct. Ernie took the lead during the run and held for the first lap or two before I found my rhythm and was soon on his wheel. He stopped for a nature break and I contiued now in the lead. I felt great…strong & smooth…and really in tune with the trail. I would rip the down hills and twisty single track and then ease up on the climbs and try to spin.
During the next four or five laps I had about a 5 to 10 minute lead. Still feeling strong I was confident with the pace and kept chruning out laps. My pit crew was doing a great job getting me food, bottles & bikes. I think we changed bike at least every two laps because of the mud, but there were a number of other small issues. Every time I needed them they were two steps ahead me.
The support I had at the race was amazing. Every where people were cheering me on by name, which is just an amazing feeling. The SORBA crowd was great, yelling “Get a team!” thoughout the race (this is in response to my many posts to the their message board encouraging everyone to go solo). The Outback Bike and Bad Lasses and BOD teams were all very encouraging. My pit crew had combined with the one next to it that was supporting 3 other solo riders, so there seemed to be 20 people there at all times of the day and night shouting encouragements when I came through. Thank you all.
Finally Ernie caught up to me again. That was OK, but where I think I made a mistake was not letting him lead. This was my home course and I know every rock, root and turn. I should have not shown him all the best lines. Earlier in the race I had the speed to pull away, but now he just sat behind me and learned.
My second mistake was not eating enough. We were running so close and at such a high pace I didn’t have time for my usual asortment of food: pb&j, Clif bars, pasta, etc… These things require time to stop, chew and digest. I need calories fast and without effort. I have to work on this over the winter. Meagan & KP at GNC in Lakeland will be getting lots of questions.
Lap 11 was the beginning of the end. Ernie and I had lapped the field, all but two guys at least twice, and mentally I was ready to keep that pace all night long. I was having fun with it. Then is hit me, the 10 hour bonk. I was feeling so good previously and was on such a high from finally racing this race from the front that it took me completely off gaurd. We were going up the hill with twenty names, the last climb on the granite side, and I tabbed. Ernie was right behind, had been for a few laps, and spun right on by. That was it. It happened that quickly. I rode on into the pit and let the crew know I was hurting.
The rest of the night I spent trying to eat anything I could and fighting mental demons which were constantly persuading me to quit. There were many times I was so close to listening to little voice in head telling me “You blew it, why bother now.” In the end it was my pit crew and especially Namrita that kept me going. She wouldn’t let me quit. After much whining on my part I was allowed to sit, eat and rest, but I was not quitting. Richard acted (at least in front of me) as if nothing had changed and I was still in it….and in some regard I was. I was still in second with a desent lead on third place who had been stomach problems all night.
The sun came up and I got to watch it for a minute from the top of the “Wall” while eating my second Egg McMuffin (thanks Bruce). I was having a few moments of feeling better, but mostly I was drained. I tried a few times to get really pissed off and force myself to get into that mental state where pain does not matter…it didn’t work. I could block out the pain, but there was just no juice in the tank.
As the clock wound down I recieved word Rob Litchenwalner had over taken me and I had slipped to 3rd place. Rob is one the toughest guys in the 24 hour racing. He spent most of the night unable to keep food down and yet stayed in contention the whole time. I put in the few hard efforts over the last two laps to close the gap, but it just wasn’t to be.
1st Place Ernesto Marenchin
2nd Place Rob Litchenwalner
3rd Place Ed O’Dea
4th place Toby Porter
5th Javaun Moradi
My support crew was once again amazing. Many thanks to them:
Richard Walker, Dan O’Dea, Jimmy O’Dea, Ryan O’Dea and Namrita Kumar…along with so many other supporters.
And my sponsors who have helped make this year very sucessful:
Mechanical & Product Support from Cartecay Bike Shop – Ellijay, GA
Supplements from GNC 5361 N Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland, FL
Energy drinks from Source Drinks makers of BURN & BURN2
Nutritional & health advice from Dr. Jamie Brenon.
Chiropractic Services from Dr. Josh Glass
More Product support and media exposure from Eastern Mountain Bike Racing
Addition Product Support from Chainwheel Drive Bike Shop in Clearwater & Palm Harbor, FL
Eddie O