While no one is really claiming team affiliation to Olson’s Hammer right now, I’d see we totally “represented” at the 2009 Davis 12/24 Hour TT Challenge. This event is the 1st in the UMCA's Western Triple Challenge. It was not on my list of race events until Terri Gouch suggested I go for the Triple Challenge. Mike Olson agreed to come down and provide support for Hugh so I could race. It was a good thing, as usual, to have Mike on board as Hugh had 4 or 5 flats. Fortunately, I don’t think there were any other significant mechanical issues.
Anyway, I started the day off in my beautiful Olson’s thermal jersey. As it was not raining when the race started and the forecast was for showers, it was well suited for the cool morning. I kept it on until the 1st checkpoint where I wrung it out and put on a short sleeve jersey, hammer arm warmers and a RAIN JACKET! This suited me well until I got off my bike. Then I put on my team jacket for the rest of the night.
Hugh started in his thermal Hammer jersey and ended with it on 24 hours later. However at some point his top layer became his Olson’s jacket. But when did a race ever become about the kit?
Someone asked me how long I thought it would take for Hugh to pass me once we got going. I started 30 seconds in front of him, slowed for a photo op and Hugh came by 40 seconds later. While I didn’t see him again until I was done racing I saw some of the same support vehicles throughout the day, which means I stayed ahead or not far behind some of the same riders all day long. I impressed myself and others passing several people going up Cobb Mountain. I felt good with my steady and sometimes strong pace on that 8 -11% 8-mile climb. Did I mention it was raining? Raining, steady rain, at times it was more of a down pour. At that slow pace I was bothered by drops of water descending from my Hammer cap onto my computer. I tried wiping the moisture from the bill but just could not keep up, then I noticed the never-ending raindrops just beyond the rim of my helmet. Fortunately I was not cold. I had on my mid-weight winter tights and heavy booties, which served me well.
At the racer meeting, just before the 1st rider was sent out, Lee Mitchell, the race director, suggested we enjoy the race saying, “You only have one life, don’t waste it.” So I decided to be happy when it started to rain 40 minutes into the race. If I wasn’t smiling on the outside, I tried to keep a smile on the inside and frequently thought how happy the land must be. Somewhere before the first check point there was a superfine tail wind for about 6 miles and focused on its benefit to keep my mind off the rain, which I expected to come to an end anytime. Forget about it, I think the rain stopped around 10:00 pm. before resuming for the end of the 24 hour race.
I stuck with my Hammer fuel formula of six scoops Preputium and 2 oz Hammer gel mixed with water. While this is suppose to be a 4 hour bottle, it worked out well as a 6 hour formula to which I occasionally added a V-8 and a couple of Double shots. I drank Heed and water, but needed far less than I expected due to the lack of warmth and sunshine. Hammer Nutrition did me right once again!
I finished my 12 hours with 178.5 miles getting nearly 14 more than the low end of my goal and 2.5 less than the top end. Once I hit 9 hours I surprised myself thinking, “oh no, I only have 3 hours left.” Because my goal was 12 hours, I was ready to quite at 6:30 pm. Once I hit my time and slowed down for my return to the start/finish I was ready to be off my bike. Besides enjoying myself throughout the day, and practicing gratitude for rain for 11 hours, I ended the race without saddle sores and 0 flat tires. All these things combined made it a positive experience.
It was great to see some folks I’d met before, Susan Holt, racers David Holt, Sandy Earl, Greg Gesser and others. I also met some new people both racers and support crew including, the Emde crew, (Michael Emde rides the same at hour 21 as at hour 1, AMAZING!) and Joan Grant of Sunnyside, CA who is coming up to solo this year’s Race Across Oregon. Most wonderful of all the people I got to spend time with over the weekend were my husband, Mile Olson and our son, Stephen who provided support for Hugh who never wearied as he peddle away 386 miles in 24 hours. The Olson’s Hammer Team had an outstanding showing at the first race of the Western Triple Challenge. I took 1st in my division and 5th over all. Hugh took 5th over all in his.
We’ll be back at it again this weekend at race # 2 in the series, the Lewis and Clark Ultra. http://lacultra.com/
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