Eddie O

I felt good, relaxed and ready. I’d been here before, had a good result and knew what to expect. My training had been solid and my fitness even better than last year…so bring it.

The run was good, I was among the top 10 solos. I sat in the second group on the trail while a group with the team and solo leaders rolled away. No sweat, I knew the pace for me and that was not it. I eventually let most of the group I was roll away too, knowing I’d catch most of them before the lap was up…and sure enough I did.

On the second lap I caught Steve Schwarz (past winner of Big Bear & the guy I pitted for back Oct). I passed him and he stuck to my wheel. We chatted a bit, but kept a good pace. By the next lap I caught Hendershot too. After seeing these guys in the single track I decided too attack a little in the tight stuff at the end of the lap. It only took a few minutes before I was on the ground after letting my front wheel wash out in the loose sand….”it may be better to sit in for now.”

We passed through the pits and I came out in the lead, but Mark quickly passed me. I didn’t want to put the effort in to chase him again only a few hours in. He knew I was there and that was enough for now. Steve caught me a mile or two later. I finally made him do some pulling. I figured he could bring Mark back this time while I sat on. Seemed like a good idea until about half way through the lap when I started to fade.

I let Steve go. That was beginning of letting many riders go…a few other solos, Pua, the Tough Girls duo…too many to name. This is getting to be a reoccurring theme in my races lately: I go out feeling great, burn too many matches too early, then bonk. The only part that changes is what happens after the bonk.

Just before dark I came across Namrita on the side of the trail. She was an emotional wreck and had a flat tire. The flat was the least of the issues. I stopped, gave her a hug and then went about fixing flat and getting her rolling again. I could only hope her spirits would rise again after we started rolling again. I lead her through the next couple of miles, more because I didn’t have the energy to ride away…but she was going again and I slowly pulled away. It was good to take my mind off my issues for a few minutes.

I refused to let my doubts get the better of me, but they were there trying hard. Always waiting just in the back of mind for the next little mishap to use as a wedge between me and my goals. I came to this race to have a good showing on the national stage. I know I did the preparation, the training, the recovery, everything I should have, but it just wasn’t happening. Other riders and support personnel would ask how it going and I kept hearing myself say “had better days” or “no so great” or some other quasi-negative nonsense.

It’s not like I rolled over and died. I kept putting efforts in, kept trying to stay in the front end of the race. The more I tried, the further back I went. When I started getting lapped, not just by Eatough, but Nat, Hendershot, Janiszewski… Chris Janiszewski, now that hurt. No offense to Chris because he is strong and is podium material, but having him lap me was not where I wanted to be. Not even in the same zip code of where I wanted to be, not even in the …..you get it.

I kept plugging though, despite that doubt that kept saying “it’s OK to quit, everyone has a bad day…” Some where else there was a counter thought of “BS, this is the day and you will make the most of it.”

I changed my kit and had some extra food around 11:15. The lap that followed was one of my most uninspired moments in racing. I just turned the cranks and little else. I was even passed feeling sorry for myself. “Sorry? For what? You are still riding, now go do something.”

BURN. I love that stuff. It’s a can of whoop-ass with extra caffeine. I chugged one and went out at 1:00 AM for another lap. Nat Ross passed me for the second time. “Have a good one and we’ll see you later” he called as he rolled by. I jumped on his wheel and then it happened. My legs felt good. Not just good, but great. I clicked up a few gears. Nat was gone…behind me gone. Right then I remember something my coach has been trying to instill in me for months “you can create your own reality.” My reality had been “maybe next year” and now it was a plan. The plan was this: I will catch Janiszewski, then Schwarz, then Hendershot and finally Janiszewski again to put me back in 4th. I didn’t believe I could lap Hendershot a second time…maybe I should have. I had no idea I was in 17th place at the time, but I really wouldn’t have cared either. Reality had changed.

I caught Janiszewski and blew by him like the breeze. “OK, Steve where are you?” Two hours later I passed him. He was off the side of the trail tending to nature. I thought I was in 5th at this point (because I had no idea how far back I had fallen) and when Richard (my pit man) said I was in 10th, I was little miffed. Reality didn’t change though and I just pushed harder.

The sun came up and I was still pushing laps around 1:15….the lap before 1:00 AM was 1:54. I passed Hendershot, but with only 4 hours to go I was sure I couldn’t do it again to get 3rd. 4th was the goal, but I was not there yet. Richard gave me the heads up that 4th through 9th were within 20 minutes of each other and all right in front of me. I had nearly wiped out a one lap deficit to 4th in 5 hours. Now it was time to take what I wanted. I charged…seriously flew out of the pits in chase.

The really cool part of all of this is how much fun I was having. I was singing, making jokes with the Slingshot crew pitting next to us, smiling, laughing, all the while knowing with the utmost confidence that I was going to get on that podium…not just now that I was close, but from that very moment I left Nat at 1:00 AM.

I caught Eatough about a mile in. He looked rough. I just took a full lap back from Eatough in the wee hours of a 24. A full freaking lap. OK, so he was not running from me or anything, but still. It felt good, real good. He sped up and asked if he could follow for a while. He said he was actually falling asleep when I passed him. “Do what you want, I have some work to do.” Richard had shown me the numbers of the guys I was chasing down, but they didn’t register in my fatigued head. I just chased everyone. I figured if I caught Eatough, then none of the other solos were going to catch me…the race was in front of me and everyone was a target.

During that lap I passed 9th through 4th….I was right were I wanted to be with time two, maybe three laps. Eatough kept me motivated because I felt chased with him on my wheel, but he stopped at the pits. On my own I slowed…a little too much. I was chatting with another solo guy when I see number 35 coming up fast from behind. I didn’t know for sure if he was close or not in the standings, but something told me I need to go…right now. Trust your instincts.

Number 35 didn’t know what lap he was on or what place he was in….so he says. Maybe he really didn’t…I didn’t know what lap I was on either. Something about the way he was riding made me feel like he was trouble though. He was fatigued, but still strong…like someone who could be in 5th place. He dabbed on a loose, rocky little climb and I attacked. 30 second became 60 by the time I went through the pits. I asked Richard who was still close to me, so I know who to watch for…”35 is real close.”

I had to pee. I hadn’t peed all race…23 hours without and it was time. I had to stop or just go in my shorts. I stopped. Just as I finished up, here came Eatough with number 35 and some other guy in tow. Race on! This was going to be the last lap, so it was now or never. I jumped in and eyed 35 looking for weakness. The trail turned hard left and climbed slightly. Eatough opened a small gap and 35 did not respond. I did. I closed the gap and then passed Chris. We hit the single track and I turned the screw a little more. I wanted trail and riders between 35 & I.

The next few miles played out so slowly. I stayed smooth, but aggressive in the single track and rolled the big ring whenever I could on the double track. I knew if I could get to the second half of the course in the lead I could hold my lead in the tight, twisty single track to the finish. I charged the double track, saw Eatough closing back in, but he was alone this time. I kept my pace and Chris came back to my wheel. I figured he was insurance. I could let him by if needed and draft him…people also get out of his way in the single track. None of that was necessary though, I never saw 35 on the trail again and in the last few miles I left Chris too. At the finish line I almost caught Nat again as he crossed a few seconds in front of me.

I rode though the chicane and about 4 feet passed the time tent and stopped…all of the fatigue seemed to hit me at once. I could barely move. Reality can be changed, instincts can be trusted and doubt is real the enemy.

BTW - number 35 , I found out after, is Daniel Brannan and this was his first 24. Congrats.

Namrita finished in 8th in the elite women’s field while riding her single speed. She some bad luck, but rode so strong. You have the potential baby and we’ll bring it out next time.

Results: 24 Hours of 9 Mile - USA Cycling 24 Hour Championships

I need to thank so many people:

My wife, who is an amazing inspiration to me.
Richard, who is always a selfless supporter of my efforts.
Joshua, my coach and pervader of wisdom.
My parents, siblings and the rest of my family, for their love and support.
My sponsors for their support.
Anne & Trev, who’s selfless acts were greatly appreciate throughout the weekend.
All of those that offered encouragements both in persona and from afar.

Pictures to come…

Eddie O

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