Good morning and good day,
As we continue to explore the experiences of life, it is inevitable that we will hit challenges along the way. This can derail us from our plan, from our routine, from our vision of how we anticipated our day(s) to go. If this happens, know that you’re not alone.
Welcome back to another weekly upgrade where we explore learning:
Recently the Watermoo Michigan Gravel Race took place, where I set out to test my capabilities on a bicycle along with 212 other ambitious riders. London, being her sassy self is not one for photos but was happy to see me off at the start and coming back in at the finish.
Coming into this 112 mile ride a friend Bruce and I decided we were going to set a high bar and low bar goal of 16-18 mph as we picked our corral. Being the first mss start and first event like this, yet not having the nerves of placing with the lead pack; nerves were super low. Mindset was me v me, allowing great rest the night prior and a calm morning in preparation for this event. (No pre race jitters)
With an event that is expected to take around 5-10+ hours depending on the rider; it is essential to keep energy level, nutrition and hydration well maintained. Per past experience, learned concepts from nutritional science books and cycling performance podcasts, I came into the race with consumed around 100mg caffeine an hour prior to riding ( I have been adapted to caffeine intake, thus nor worrying about hydration considerations).
(Nutrition Nerd Alert)
Consumed a carbohydrate heavy oatmeal breakfast, for the ride: packed 3 banana, two stinger waffles, one skratch gel bites with caffeine packet, one sour patch kids pack, three bottles containing both Skratch hydrate and Skratch fuel learning near 500kcal per bottle. One Skratch strawberry mallow rice cake (first time trying this, yum). Along route at mile 76-78 there was one aid station which I grabbed two additional bananas for fuel. Doing the math in the end, I nearly consumed 700g of carbohydrates which equates to about 100g per hour, this was exactly my goal. Consume one Skratch bottle by every 33 miles, along with eating every 30 minutes as to avoid stomach issues or “bonking”. It worked, not only did I fuel comfortably throughout the race but I surprisingly felt great coming into the finish.
To Try Skratch yourself, I have. referral link to give anyone $10 off of their first order: Try Skratch
I have tried several products and for now this brand seems to be the best that works well for my energy, performance, and most important to me.. my gut.
We started the event with the 16-18 mph pack, quickly to find the fast pace route, peloton group drafting, and early energy, we were able to pace a 20mph average initially. This was until my first mishap, a lost full water bottle from unseen significant bumps in the gravel road. I had to jump out of our pace line to grab my bottle as it held more than hydration, but 500kcal of fuel needed for this event. Fortunately my friend Bruce jumped out with me and we planned to share pulling until we caught our group, unfortunately this was one of the last times we would see the group together before everyone disburse into individual riding. We jumped onto another group to preserve energy sharing “pulls”. There was thought of leaving this group and Bruce and I would pull at an 18mph average, the other riders closer to 15mph average. This was until I was found again that my now second water bottle jumped out of the bottle cage, resulting in having to go back and pick it up. Surely I was confident we would catch this group as their pace was slower than ours while riding with them. Little did we know, they were only preserving their energy for the opportunity to drop us, my lost bottle was that opportunity. Within the process of now riding with Bruce and an ex co-worker and friend Jon (because I was fortunate enough they would wait for me), we pushed on for several miles at a sustainable pace even after I felt a significant awkward lean coming from my bike. Turns out my seat post came loose and would spin with me as I would lean in any particular direction. I also felt a bit heavier in my front wheel, which lead to be a slow air leak in the front tire. I asked those around me if it appeared to be flat but the consensus was “no”, as I then believed I was just feeling heavy at that point. It was not until 20 miles later that we came across the one aid station ( stopping point), that I found my front tire was in fact quite close to being flat. We changed the tube, Bruce and I got Warhead Ghost energy drinks for rocket power, I snagged the two additional bananas from the aid station, I tightened my seat post. Although It was not until aid station that we happened to find a few 18mph riders we started with, due to the time consumed with bike repairs; we were again left behind.
It was only 3 miles up that we had a water crossing, in which we caught up to a decently sized group of riders taking their time crossing. A few riders trying to take the rocks to keep dry, I choose the alternative route. The rocks were wet, which was risky for lack of traction. A fall would be a further set back than some wet toes, chaffing was not much of a concern as I wear Injinji toe socks for this reason.
We now had around 32 miles left to go, my Garmin edge telling me we were on a 16mph average WITH STOPS and turn backs for my bottles. This was encouraging, along with what others my have perceived as an obnoxious amount of energy as we rode with the group for majority of the last 30 of 32 miles. Bruce and I began sharing pulling in front. The rhythm was consistent. When we hit a hill climb (some being 12-14% grade), I would practically fall back within the group. Followed by a more aggressive down hill descent to pass the group back towards the front. With about 15-20 miles left, Bruce remained mid pack of our group as I was leading our group. Although I heavily enjoy the purpose of helping, I was hoping bruce would jump up with me so we can discuss a strategy to push on without the group as none of the group was willing to help take a lead pulling position, so I thought. We were only two miles out from the finish when a guy blew past me doing 20-21mph, I caught him and rode with him for moment asking him where he came from. His response was, he was hanging back in our group but felt he was close enough to go all out ( I now feeling guilty trying to hold a conversation with him as he’s verbally stating his effort is all out). I look back and out of seemingly nowhere two other guys from the group catch up fortunately one being Bruce. Now a smaller group of four of us hustling to the finish, until the final half mile where one more steep hill existed. I fall behind the group, one guy pushed forward as I couldn’t catch up, I catch Bruce with once second at the finish. We check our finish time to complete this 112+ mile adventure in 6 hours and 55 minutes. Average speed just over 16mph with stops, average moving speed at 17mph. Completing the goal with minor set backs. With the most surprising factor being how great I felt at the finish along with making a variety of new connections with some very strong riders.
Reflection: Set yourself up for success thinking of controllable factors such as personal nutrition, training, and mindset. Working with others can help boost performance dramatically. Sometimes mentally one can find themselves in “the pain cave” or feel they are incapable of more, until we try to push ourselves beyond those self limiting beliefs holding us back.
Goal Setting: I set completing this goal as a quarterly accomplishment. Prior to this, a quarterly goal was to be able to ride at 20mph for an hour, even if it were in doors. As well as another goal of riding a 100 mile in door ride to get both saddle time and learning experience with nutrition in a controlled environment. Although there were many more steps taken that lead to this accomplishment along with any other accomplishment we make throughout our journey here on earth.
Goal Progression: The journey for health physically and mentally never ends as long as we are breathing. Although my long term goal is to be physically capable and active into the 90s (years old), assuming I live to that age range. One way to do that is keeping both body and mind as healthy, mobile, and capable as an essential priority throughout my life.
As I continue to strive to become the best version of myself, I hope to inspire others to do the same for themselves.
Leave a Reply