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I started riding in the spring of 2011 after a 10 year break. At 41 years young, I really have a passion to ride. Earlier this year I did a few small duathlon’s and enjoyed them. Then I started reading about some of the endurance races and figured that would be my next challenge.
This past weekend I just finished my first 50 mile race. It was in MS and was extremely hot. 44 out of the 78 riders did not finish due to heat related issues. I finished in the top 10 in the over 40 catagory, with a time of 6 hours and 27 minutes (30 minutes fixing my bike at mile 30).
Looking back there are several things that I learned outside of just riding.
1. Being married with 3 kids, I need the support and patients of my family (especially the wife)!
2. I learned a tremndous amount of information about the trails in my area, as well as nutition, technique and training from SingleTracks. Thanks you.
3. MTB’ing has not only help me in overall fitness, but mentally, it has giving me a new since of adventure. Sounds wierd, but now I am looking at what other activities I can do , that I have never thought before. (canoeing, hiking, rock climbing etc.)
4. We do not have to grow old just because we are getting older.
5. Mountain Biking is something that I hope I can do for a long time, enjoy it with family, and help me from growing old!Not sure of my point in writing this, just wanted share with people who might relate.
Happy riding.
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Sounds like the race was a great experience for you. Congrats on the finish man!
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"mtbgreg1" wrote
Sounds like the race was a great experience for you. Congrats on the finish man!
+1 Great job dude! Was this the Hard Knocks 50? Or something along those lines?
Racing is great, even if you’re nowhere near the podium. It helps motivate you to ride more, and harder, and further. It makes you push yourself harder than you would otherwise. And you’re right, you learn a lot, and not just about MTBing.
I haven’t done a race since March, but this weekend I’m doing the Black Bear Rampage and am really looking forward to it. 40 miles in the mtns. of TN. I did it two years ago and finished in 4:23, and I was having so much fun I forgot to eat anything until mile 20 – whoops! So I slowed down a good bit the last half of the race. I’ve been riding a road bike a lot lately, mostly on my commute to and from work, so I’m hoping all the extra saddle time will pay off this weekend. Shooting for a sub-4hr finish time.
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It was the Hard Nox 50. I did not forget about eating, but under estimated how much I should eat. Around mile 35, I bonked and cramped. Ate my peanut butter and banana medicine, and by mile 42, I felt good again.
I just learned about the Rampage while riding up there over the summer. That is on my wish list next year. It is a lot closer than MS!
Next race is September 23rd. 38 miles with 6,000 feet of elevation change in the NC mountains.
These races sure help motivate. I do not have or desire for a road bike, but have been told by many, it greatly helps your MTB’ing.
Good luck with your race. My strategy going forward is to eat every 45 minutes from the start of the race.
It is supposed to cool off this weekend. Hope that helps.
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"UltimateTherapy" wrote
Good luck with your race. My strategy going forward is to eat every 45 minutes from the start of the race.
It is supposed to cool off this weekend. Hope that helps.
Thanks!
That’s exactly what I do, eat every 45mins, and sip on a sports drink throughout the day. Gotta find what works for you, everyone is different, takes some trial and error.
Yeah if the forecast holds out I think we’ll have a perfect day for riding in the mtns!! Here’s hoping….
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