Counting Coup: Thoughts from the slowest finisher...

[Red Ryder]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Keep in mind I’m an average intermediate rider, and a little slow at that. Last year’s CC was my first endurance event so my goal was to just finish the ride. So for those who have entered the CC for the first time, here is what worked and did not work for me.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Disclaimer: I’m far from an expert on endurance. What worked for me may not work for you…[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The biggest challenge was self doubt. Adding to this was an interruption in my training by the flu, followed by a lung infection in December and then a relapse in January. Because of this I only got in 2 rides over 25 miles. I did have a number of under 20 mile rides, But, I was really under trained. I had big reason to doubt. This year I will get in more distant riding by starting my training earlier. Like, NOW. Training will help your confidence.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Another thing which helped me was learning the course by riding it. Because of the number of times I rode Maple Springs, I knew this would be a tough part for me. And it was. It helped not having any surprise climbs, I knew what was coming.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]On my training rides I found I was not completing the rides quick enough to meet the cut offs. My ride times were close, but because of my rest stops, my total time was way off. I realized what I needed to do is to keep moving, no stopping. If I felt I needed to stop, I walked. This worked, I didn’t stop until after the second and last cut off, which I made by just a minute and a half. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Keep hydrated and eating. This seems so basic, but I found during my short training rides, I needed to set time and place reminders to refuel. Every 45 minutes to hour, I had a GU pack. I wasn’t able to really eat as I had major dental work four days before, and I still couldn’t bite into a Clif bar. I did have a big breakfast of eggs and beans, but GU and bananas got me through the ride. One treat I did have was a bag of potato chips after the second cut off. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Don’t quit! I felt like quitting on Maple Springs. It was my low point. But as long as I had another pedal stroke in me, I was going. During the low points, I focused on just a few feet in front of me, and not at the climb ahead of me. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]One of the high points of my ride was seeing my wife and sister at the bottom of the Motorway. It was a great boost to get a quick hug and kiss half way through this. It helps to have a support team. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]What I did right was enjoy the ride as much as possible. There were moments I took to look around and experience what I was doing. Even though it was windy, the sunrise on the Main Divide was spectacular. Something I’ll always remember.[/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]What I’ll do better is be friendlier. I was so focused on what I needed to do, the CC was almost a solo ride. I felt like I missed out on not connecting with other riders who were friendly. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Anyhow, I hope everyone has a great CC and VQ, but especially the riders doing it for the first time. I had two thoughts when I crossed the finish line, “I DID IT” and “I can’t wait for next year!” It is a great experience and a lot of the credit goes to the volunteers![/SIZE][/FONT]

[Shannon]

Thanks for the inspiration. Living up on the Central Coast now, away from all my friends and riding/ running alone 99.9% of the time has been kinda depressing to say the least. I signed up for the CC for more than just the ride, but to connect with my friends that I miss so much down there and for the motivation to keep riding.

[Pugz]

Thanks for the thoughts, I plan on riding CC next year and I will remember your words. Thanks.

[spookydave]

good advice. I missed the second cut off by less the 5 min. I did keep going but I knew I was a big DNF.

What killed me was I left a little late. There is a story there but all that matters is I left late. I also did stop once to remove my leg warmers (that should have never been on in the first place)
Like you I was sick a few weeks before but once again not using it as an excuse.

Bottom line is I'll finish this sucker this year.
I'm doing longer rides and trying to drop some weight. The weight is my main problem.

[genusmtbkr5]

Great post. I agree that you need the saddle time and distance. Climbing for many is hard, especially when they are back to back to back like the section between the Golf ball and Motorway. I have learned from my past experience as well and will do things different. I do ride alot more, but need to get more time on the road. Also, I need to be sure and Hydrate before, during and after better. I will be sure and eat hours before the start as I learned during the Traverse and went out and rode 44 miles with no breakfast, of course, I bonked about 30 or so miles later. Just had nothing left in the tank.

This is a great event and this time I'm doing the the VQ. Last year, I was injured and had the flu so I drop down to the CC and finished. I was sick up until Friday night, the night before the race. I took it easy most of the way. I even had a sandwich before I headed down the Motorway, waited for my bro at the rock on Maple Springs and again at the peak. I was just glad to be able to show, up let alone finish, I just knew I did not train enough to do the VQ, That 12:30 cutoff at WHT is tough.

They'll be lots of friends cheering you all on this time.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by Pugz

Thanks for the thoughts, I plan on riding CC next year and I will remember your words. Thanks.

just do it this year and experience the pain!!! next year just do it for kicks!! (or jump to VQ for your self)

[queenwilhelmina]

Thanks for the advice Floater! It really helps to hear other people's experiences and tips.

[Pugz]

I thought about doing it this year but the wife is pregnant and do around that time so I will wait, plus it gives me a chance to get in better shape.

Originally Posted by ShinKen

just do it this year and experience the pain!!! next year just do it for kicks!! (or jump to VQ for your self)

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by spookydave

good advice. I missed the second cut off by less the 5 min. I did keep going but I knew I was a big DNF.

What killed me was I left a little late. There is a story there but all that matters is I left late. I also did stop once to remove my leg warmers (that should have never been on in the first place)
Like you I was sick a few weeks before but once again not using it as an excuse.

Bottom line is I'll finish this sucker this year.
I'm doing longer rides and trying to drop some weight. The weight is my main problem.

Way to go Dave.