100 mile mntn bike race--who's done one?

[limewave]

My friend wants me to race a 100 mile mountain bike race with her this coming spring. Sounds like fun to me! But I have no idea how to train for one on my limited schedule. And I have no idea what to expect! Just wondering if anyone on the forum has raced one before. I would like to hear your experiences.

Thanks!

[Aggie_Ama]

WOW! I am doing a 85+ miler January 7. It is not all trail though, it starts on trail (9 miles), road to another trail, 18 miles (+/-), road back and then about 1 mile of trail. It is called the Excrutiation Exam. Otherwise we don't have a lot of super-endurance marathons here. I am doing a 52 miler Saturday but that isn't 100!

[limewave]

If I am correct, the race I want to do is almost all singletrack. It's a 33 mile loop. Here's the website (http://www.lumberjack100.com/).

And I want to hear all about your race when you're done! With a name like Excruciation Exam . . . you should have an experience to share :D

[TrekJeni]

My friend wants me to race a 100 mile mountain bike race with her this coming spring. Sounds like fun to me! But I have no idea how to train for one on my limited schedule. And I have no idea what to expect! Just wondering if anyone on the forum has raced one before. I would like to hear your experiences.

Thanks!

Lumberjack rocks! It's beautiful and the terrain is varied. What I did to prepare was ride a lot of road miles because we had such a wet spring.

Jeni

[limewave]

Thanks TrekJeni! I am so excited about this race. I really hope I can get in. I am going to be doing a TON of road riding this spring.

[jessmarimba]

I've never raced one (hah - or riddein anywhere near 100 miles) but the BF does Shenandoah Mountain 100 every other year. I know he does big mtb trips on weekends but does lots of road riding during the week to train.

[Catrin]

I've never raced one (hah - or riddein anywhere near 100 miles) but the BF does Shenandoah Mountain 100 every other year. I know he does big mtb trips on weekends but does lots of road riding during the week to train.

I've several friends who do the same thing. They don't race at all, but do lots of mountain biking on the weekends and try to road ride at least 100 miles during the week to keep in shape for the trails.

[spokewench]

Never done a 100 miler mountain bike race; but have done a 24 hour race that you do about the same mileage. For the 24 hour race on a team, your goal is to ride a bit faster than if you were doing it all alone; so you have to train for pace and intervals. But to ride a 100 miler mtn bike race, I would say your goal is to keep going and finish at a reasonable pace. So, I'd say just ride a lot; lots of miles, both on road and off. I say off road, cause as you know mtn biking takes more strength in upper body and arms and so you will have to have those areas of your body ready to take the bump punishment. I would not concentrate on speed or interval work as much as I would just miles, hills, time in the saddle kind of stuff.

[TrekJeni]

My coach and I defined my 2012 goals today and I want to peak twice this year. Once for Lumberjack in June and then again in September for my 24 hour solo. Last year was all just finishing the races and this year I'm looking to shave hours off my results so it's going to be a lot of speed work.

I'll share some of my workouts with you when I get them. :-)

One of these days I WILL get over to the westside to ride with you. Promise.

Are you planning on doing Barry Roubaix too? It should be a good training ride at race pace.

Jeni

[surgtech1956]

Lumberjack 100 sounds fun. I see its in Michigan - I would love to do this too. Please keep us posted on how the training is going.

[Anelia]

I have done one 24 hour race and I'm going to take part in a 120 km race and 3080 m ascent in April. I have to ride a lot of miles but I don't have company. And especially in winter it's so demotivating :(
Now I ride a stationary bike to keep in proper shape but in February the latest I have to start riding more hours.

[tealtreak]

I wish I had done a 100!!!!!!!! I have found mt biking to be more fatiguing than my roadie days......... (or maybe cuz I am 50 ???) Anyway..do you read Selene Yeager's blog (Fitchick) she has done leadville- lots of good training tips!!! cheering for you! post when you want encouragement- 3 more kids through college till I am there with you- so thrilled to enjoy vicariously (:

[Wahine]

I did my first 100 miler this year. I didn't have a lot of time to train but I have a lot of base so that seemed to work out OK.

I'd say that the most important thing is to get in some long back to back days on the bike on the weekend. I did a lot of my endurance training on the raod bike then I worked a lot on efficient mountain biking on shorter rides. On a long day like that, efficiency is key. Also, try to learn how to minimize your time of the bike, even 15 min farting around at an aid station will lengthen your day substanially.

[SpeedyChix]

Lumberjack is a blast. It's not a technical course but it is mostly singletrack. Rolling terrain so momentum from downhills help on the uphill. I've done LJ100 three times. Other 100s include Cohutta and Mohican. Work toward back to back long weekend rides. Practice / learn what fueling and hydration works for you. Many DNFs on the 100s are from issues eating / hydrating. Overall endurance is a goal, being comfortable on the bike. A real plus to the LJ100 is that you can see familiar faces in the pit twice during the race. If you're fit and ready to rock this event, ride the first hour to two hours at a solid to near XC race pace, then settle into a sustainable high-endurance / low-tempo pace for the balance of your race. Ride w/in yourself. Be present on the trail and constantly attentive to eating, spinning, riding the trail. It's a fun day.

[limewave]

If you're fit and ready to rock this event, ride the first hour to two hours at a solid to near XC race pace, then settle into a sustainable high-endurance / low-tempo pace for the balance of your race. Ride w/in yourself. Be present on the trail and constantly attentive to eating, spinning, riding the trail. It's a fun day.

That is really good to know. I was wondering about pacing . . .

[Anelia]

If you're fit and ready to rock this event, ride the first hour to two hours at a solid to near XC race pace, then settle into a sustainable high-endurance / low-tempo pace for the balance of your race. Ride w/in yourself. Be present on the trail and constantly attentive to eating, spinning, riding the trail. It's a fun day.
Yes, I found this at a marathon. It was only 60 km but still it took me 4 hours to finish it. So the first hour I rode really competitive but then I had to slow down a bit. Still, when I noticed that a faster on the downhill competitor came behind me, I had to push harder on the uphills not to let her gain advance on the downhill. It was interesting that I found motivation and power to push harder, facing competition. Changing gears quickly and forseeing the terrain when passing river beds and small springs helped me a lot then. On the final kilometers on a flat land I was not burnt and I had the power to sprint. It was an interesting race and I'm proud that I didn't give up.

[Anelia]

A teaser for my challenge in April (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKRzc9ycNp0&feature=player_embedded)

[limewave]

Anelia . . . how is your training coming along???

I have come up with the bare-bones of a training schedule. Which only has me riding 2 days a week. Scary, I know. But that is all my current schedule will allow.

1st ride: 90 min/intervals (done indoor on the trainer, very controlled)
2nd ride: Build from 30-50 miles on trail or gravel road up to 5 weeks before. 2.5 weeks pre/race--pre-ride entire course. No rides longer than 30 miles after that.
3x a week strength train
2x a week, run
1x a week yoga

we will see how it all works out!!!! :eek:

[SAMbike]

I've done a couple 100's and in addition to properly training your body for pounding away the miles, I think the other, almost equally important, thing to figure out and "train" for is your food and drink consumption pacing. So I'd say practice this too! On long rides think about what you can continue to eat, what's working, what's not etc etc. Hope this is helpful - and good luck!

[Aggie_Ama]

What I found over marathon season and my 80+ mile race in January is I would have trained long rides on my mountain bike, even if it was long road rides. Most of my long rides for endurance were road rides, I would do some longer mountain bike rides but usually only 20 +/- miles. I found the mountain bike position is different on my sit bones and back, I was really sore there after a race. So this year I will probably put slicks on my mountain bike and ride it on the road to train. Can't wait to hear about your race, I have a 100 miler on my list of "must-do" but it is a few years off.

[Anelia]

Anelia . . . how is your training coming along???

I have come up with the bare-bones of a training schedule. Which only has me riding 2 days a week. Scary, I know. But that is all my current schedule will allow.

1st ride: 90 min/intervals (done indoor on the trainer, very controlled)
2nd ride: Build from 30-50 miles on trail or gravel road up to 5 weeks before. 2.5 weeks pre/race--pre-ride entire course. No rides longer than 30 miles after that.
3x a week strength train
2x a week, run
1x a week yoga

we will see how it all works out!!!! :eek:
Hi there. Sorry for the late post but I didn't see the thread developing. Limewave, did you made this schedule by yourself or a coach recommended it? I would recommend you to ride more instead of doing weights or running or yoga. At least this is what I was advised to do: focus on riding. Everything else is a waste of energy and time.
So now I ride 7 out of 8 days. I aim at 6 out of 7 days but I don't want to miss a nice day out and I ride more. I do shorter rides during the weekdays: 1-2 or even 3 hours, as much as time permitted. I do intervals or/and strength training on the bike. On the weekends I do longer rides. On Sunday I had 6+ hours on the bike: most of it on road but still the miles and time on the bike count. At the beginning of April I think about 200 km Randonneuring on the bike as I did last year. It takes me about 8 hours to finish since I don't have a roadie. I wish I could ride more off road but I don't have company who can endure that much (6-8 hours)
Also I have to get used to my racing bike. It is very rigid and my butt is always sore after longer rides.

[Anelia]

I've done a couple 100's and in addition to properly training your body for pounding away the miles, I think the other, almost equally important, thing to figure out and "train" for is your food and drink consumption pacing. So I'd say practice this too! On long rides think about what you can continue to eat, what's working, what's not etc etc. Hope this is helpful - and good luck!
Sambike, thank you very much for this reminder. This is something every experienced rider knows about BUT we sometimes make stupid mistakes overlooking thing that are "by default".
I suggest that we make a list of important things which we should not forget. I'm in with:
1. butt cream
2. electrolytes
3. to be added later

[limewave]

The schedule is from a coach. They work with endurance athletes (cyclists, triathletes, ultra-marathoners), some of the best in the midwest. But, their training routine does go against the grain. Their philosophy is less than more. It is tough to follow because it goes against what everyone else is doing.

But here's the thing, I can't train more. My schedule and my commitments don't allow for it. I talked to them about this the possibility of doing the 100 mile event thinking that it was something I would have to put off for a few years, but they convinced me it was possible!

The strength training is designed to develop muscle endurance specific to mountain biking. I do think it is beneficial. I've been doing some of it already.

So . . . I'm going for it! I do agree that fuel/nutrition is going to be a challenge and something I'm going to have to practice.

Butt cream is a definite MUST! In fact, I had a race last weekend and we didn't have cream because my 2yo son had gotten into it and smeared it all over himself and the windows! It was a mess.

I went to three different stores in the wee hours before the race and, fortunately, the last one carried Bag Balm. Phew!

Must haves:
1) Butt Cream
2) Electrolytes
3) Extra water
4) Bananas (otherwise I get cramps)
5) Extra clothes
6) Chain tool

[Anelia]

Oh, you already raced :) Cool! How was it?
My first race is on 8th of April, the next is on the 22nd and the big one is on 28th, followed by another one 60 km just on the next day :o So I have to save my energy not only to finish the first day but also to have some more for the second day. I know it is going to be tough and that's why I train hard now.
limewave, when is your long race? Do they have a website of the race?

[Wahine]

Their philosophy is less than more. It is tough to follow because it goes against what everyone else is doing.

This is not actually true. There is really good research out there to support the less is more philosophy and a lot of people are starting to do it. Unless you are a professional athlete with infinite time to train, it's usually better to focus on less, but better quality and throwing in sport specific weight training. The yoga is also important, mostly from an injury prevention/muscle balance stand point.

[Anelia]

Hi there, endurance racers!
Today I did a major rehearsal for my race at the end of April. I wanted to check my pacing, nutrition, water consumption or any other issues I might have on a longer race. I rode alone, offroad, I did two circuits of our local race track. My computer stopped working at 72nd km (low battery) but the statistics is about 85 km, 6 hours and 5 minutes, about 14km/h, 2000 m climbing. I did no longer breaks than to pee (once) or to wait for a passing car when I crossed a road. My average pulse was 138 which is not bad for a training but on the race I expect it to be higher.
What I rode today is 2/3 of the distance for the race. Do you think I should ride the whole distance 120 km offroad or the equal hours on road next week?
I did ok with pacing, nutrition and water, I did not bonk. Only my hamstrings hurt a lot but I rode through the pain. My butt was perfect, I am so glad about it :)
And one more thing to add to the must have list is CHAIN OIL.

[limewave]

I NEED to get in a long ride this week. My plan is to ride 20 miles from my house to some singletracks trails. Do an 11-mile loop on the trail system and then ride 20 miles home. I'm nervous about it. I wish I had someone to ride with!

My guess is it will take 1:20 to do 20 miles, another 1:10-1:15 on the trail and then another 1:20 home for a total of almost 4 hours of riding :)

This will be my first chance to test nutrition for something over 2 hours.

[Catrin]

No advice, the longest I've been on the bike since my whiplash injury in October was 90 minutes and that was on the road. I do, however, want to wish you good luck and have fun while training!

I found that, for me, when riding longer than two hours was to have liquid nutrition in the form of Accelerade and something like a broken up Cliff bar or two and some shot blocs ready for me to consume. That was for very long road rides though, mountain biking uses more energy...

[Anelia]

limewave, it's good to have company for the longer rides but if there's nobody, we have a saying in Bulgarian: "The only soldier is still a soldier". So, don't worry about it and hit the road and trails. Two weekends ago I did a 6-hour ride only on trails alone, too.
This weekend I did a looong ride on road. It was a 130-mile brevet and it took me about 10 hours and 8 of them were on the saddle. Here I am (https://plus.google.com/photos/106299188127243489275/albums/5729124382492890513?banner=pwa&gpsrc=pwrd1#photos/106299188127243489275/albums/5729124382492890513/5729128453604533970) :D. I did them on my bike with 1,9" tires. There was a strong head wind in the last 50 miles but we had to get back anyway. The last 5 miles I had issues with my gears and I was really upset because I had a XC race on Sunday and I didn't know what the problem was. Happily, my husband found out a crooked part in my chain and removed it. So I was ready for the Sunday's race.
On Sunday I was OK. The race was XCO and it was only 5 miles. I sprinted them in less than 30 min. I am happy with my training this week.

[limewave]

Anelia, you will be my new inspiration. 6 hours alone on the trail--I'm impressed! I need to get over it and get out there as well.

I'm building up to the long trail-only rides. Right now I'm doing about 1/2 on the road and 1/2 on the trail. In two weeks I'll be doing a 50-60 mile completely on single track. Fortunately, DH is coming along for the day :)

Last night someone from the club came up to me and was a little sarcastic and undermining, saying something along the lines of "oh, you're doing that 100 mile race, huh. Well, let's just all hope that you're able to accomplish something I wasn't." :( Little does he know, he just sealed the deal for me. I don't respond to nay-sayers. I'll be finishing this race now no matter what the cost :cool:

[Anelia]

limewave, http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/551975_169252469862779_103761419745218_255241_1230935700_n.jpg
Sooo, last week I decided that the brevet would be my last long long ride but yesterday I was tempted by a friend of mine and we did something like 65 miles, most of it on trails. It took us the whole day but we stopped for a meal at a restaurant and also waited for some other guys who joined us for one part of the trip. About 7 hours on the saddle. It was awsome! The weather was perfect and the places were beautiful. I rode for the first time in short sleeves and now I am a little sun burnt but not severely.
Today I will also hit the trails but only for an hour or two.

[Wahine]

Thanks an awesome training ride limewave!!! Exactly the kind of riding you need to do to get ready for a 100.

[limewave]

51 miles all on Single Track yesterday with DH. Riding time was 5:20. That does not include our stop for lunch.

We parked at a trail head and rode south for 10 miles and then looped back. Ate lunch. Then rode north on the trail for 15 miles and then rode back. This way we were never too far out from the truck and we didn't have to pack as much food.

DH and I had very different ideas about what a "lunch break" was going to be. I thought I would quick grab my snack, eat it by the truck and ride off. DH wanted to sit in the truck, read a book, eat chips and salsa for 20 or so minutes. I complied as we rarely get a nice day to spend together like that. However, my body did not like taking that long of a break mid-ride! The longer I sat the more my body wanted to take a nap. Not to mention the longer we sat the more I ate. I know I took in too much food for a mid-ride break :(

The first 40 minutes into the second half of the ride was horrible. Eventually my system went back to work and I was feeling good again. Overall I felt really good! My pace was about 0.75 mile/hour average slower than I'm hoping to do on race day.

The time on the bike went much faster than I anticipated. My didn't start tightening up until the last 4 miles. That last section was rough, but I made it :)

55 days to the 100 mile race . . . .

Food: trail mix, homemade lara bars, Clif Kids Organic Fruit Rope, and Endura. Lunch was a Sweet Potato Quinoa Burger (just the pattie).

[Anelia]

limewave, very good ride with excellent average speed!
I did a 20 miles race on Sunday. I started with a technical: my chain broke but I was so lucky to have this problem at the start. My coach fixed the chain and I started only about 10 minutes later. I made up for the lost time and finished first, the other girls finished 30 min after me, I had already taken a shower. The track of the race was perfect! I had so much fun! Most of it on single track. The ascent was 4 000 m but it was not difficult for me. I felt weekness on the flats...I don't know how to ride on the flats and I either mash or ride too slow. Whatever...
My countdown: 5 (FIVE!) days until the long race!

[Catrin]

Great post Limewave, looking forward to reading more about how your training goes and, of course, the final race!

You seem to like the homemade Lara bars and you are getting me curious about trying something like that at home. At least there is no doubt what the ingredients are and you can customize the mix for your needs and taste!

[limewave]

limewave, very good ride with excellent average speed!
I did a 20 miles race on Sunday. I started with a technical: my chain broke but I was so lucky to have this problem at the start. My coach fixed the chain and I started only about 10 minutes later. I made up for the lost time and finished first, the other girls finished 30 min after me, I had already taken a shower. The track of the race was perfect! I had so much fun! Most of it on single track. The ascent was 4 000 m but it was not difficult for me. I felt weekness on the flats...I don't know how to ride on the flats and I either mash or ride too slow. Whatever...
My countdown: 5 (FIVE!) days until the long race!

Anelia--I will be thinking about you this weekend!!!! Hope you have a great race.

[Catrin]

... My countdown: 5 (FIVE!) days until the long race!

For some reason I missed this earlier - good luck and have fun!

[Anelia]

Thanks a lot! I will be thinking about TE and all the wonderful ladies here, too :)

[limewave]

One more bump in the road of training . . .
Our computrainer (that is probably 15 years old) just puked on me. It is dead, no longer holding any kind of resistance no matter how much I smush it against my rear wheel.

Bwahahahahahaha :(

Because of work, kids, my schedule in general I have to do about half of my training at home.

[Anelia]

Well well well, I'm here, I'm alive. I did it. I survived! :D On Saturday we started about only 48 people on the Ultra Challange Marathon. 40 finished it, I finished 21st. I was the only woman so I get 1st and last place :D I did the 121,5 km in 9h18 min. The trail was hard: lots of rocks, sand and mud in the woods. I was exhausted but I knew I had to race on the next day, too.
On Sunday we started a lot more people for the 58 km race (over 200). The trail was even harder with rolling stones, steep and technical climbing and very strong head wind. I was leading my category for about 40 km but then my Greek competitor was lead by her male team mate on the asphalt part and they entered the last part of the trail in front of me which was technical singletrack with sand and stones. I couldn't reach them. I was lighter than the other rider so I did better on the climbs but I was worse on the downhill. Also I was really tired and finished about 3 min after the first lady. Last year I finished about 30 min after her so I must be happy that I progressed so much. Sill, I feel a little bitter and I wonder if I could have done more to win the race. But believe me, it was hard right after the Ultra Challenge.
I am very satisfied with the races. Sometimes I hated the wind and the rocks. Now my whole body hurts, especially the upper part (I ride a hard tail) but I was amazed by all the views. We went arount the whole island of Thassos and the scenery is beyond my words to describe. I didn't take my camera (still, I was in a race) and I had to be careful to watch my front tire but still I could see the sea, meandering paths, green forests and blue and green bays. My coach made a lot of pictures and when he sends them, I will upload them.
Our team was very good too and a large part of the Bulgarians participated in both races (that makes us masochists, doesn't it :o )

[Anelia]

Now I understand why the Greek lady got me on the downhill. Google tells me that besides a XC champion, she is also a champion in downhill...

[Catrin]

Wooot Aneila! You had an awesome weekend and glad the weather cooperated. I can certainly understand being frustrated by only being 3 minutes behind the woman who finished first, but I think it is awesome that you closed the gap so much from last year - you are on her heels now and next year is coming ;)

[limewave]

Sounds like you had a fantastic race!!!!! Great job! And such a small gap?

. . . next year. Mwhahahahhahahaha. ;)

[Wahine]

Nice work Anelia!! That sounds grueling.:eek:

[limewave]

DH and I rode 90 miles on our mountain bikes yesterday. The route consisted of mostly paved path/road (about 65 miles) and 25 miles of hilly, sandy, gravely roads. It took us about 5.5 hours of riding time. We had two short pit stops to refill water bottles and use the restroom.

Mostly it was a nice ride. But the last 15 miles were brutal. I just wanted to be done. I am dreading the 100 mile xc race. Just 33 days to go . . . . .

[indysteel]

I'm a bit late in reading this thread, but I wanted to offer my congratulations to Anelia! Way to go.

I'm so humbled in reading this thread. On the recent tour that DH and I did in Canyonlands N.P., we did 30 miles a day on what amounts to a doubletrack trail. Granted, it was a tour and not a race or a training ride for a race, but it took the group the better part of the day to do those 30 miles. I cannot imagine doing singletrack at the pace you guys are traveling or for as many miles a day that you're covering. I'm truly amazed at your endurance and mental focus. Good luck at your race, Limewave. As I said after your most recent race, you are one tenatious woman. I love reading about your adventures.

[Catrin]

+1 on what Indy said. All of you rock, it is exciting and humbling to read what all of you can do, and DO do on a regular basis. Each of you are my role models and someday I hope to be able to do at least a portion of what you are capable of.

Limewave, that sounds like a fun day - even if the last 15 miles did get long. You will rock the XC race, I just know it!

[TrekJeni]

DH and I rode 90 miles on our mountain bikes yesterday.
Mostly it was a nice ride. But the last 15 miles were brutal. I just wanted to be done. I am dreading the 100 mile xc race. Just 33 days to go . . . . .

Hush Limewave, you're going to CRUSH it!

Four more weekends until LJ! Woot! Come by the camper and say hi. I'll be the one with three crazy weimaraners. :-) Just got back from Syllamos Revenge in Arkansas. It was my second NUE of the year. Only have Mohican and Lumberjack to go and then I'm going to relax and veg! lol

Jeni

[limewave]

Jeni, we'll be camping there too. I'll definitely keep an eye out for you!

[limewave]

I've been bragging all over FB, but I managed to get in a 75 mile training ride this week. Zoom-Zoom's DH was able to do a few laps with me. I did take about a 2.5 hour break between the first 50 and the last 25.But, I did it. yay! 2 weeks to LJ100.

You ready TrekJeni??? :D:D:D

[Aggie_Ama]

Hush Limewave, you're going to CRUSH it!

Four more weekends until LJ! Woot! Come by the camper and say hi. I'll be the one with three crazy weimaraners. :-) Just got back from Syllamos Revenge in Arkansas. It was my second NUE of the year. Only have Mohican and Lumberjack to go and then I'm going to relax and veg! lol

Jeni

My goal is to do as much of the NUE series as possible one day and DH wants to tackle it as well, once I tried marathons last winter I found long events are my "poison" and doing more is the only cure! We're hoping to move to NM or CO in 4-5 years and then I am pretty sure it will be doable. Right now living in Central Texas it is hard to do endurance training in the summer and hard to travel outside of the state. The people I know who spend a considerable amount of time at altitude are so much better at all types of riding but really I just want to see mountains everyday. Good luck ladies!

[zoom-zoom]

I've been bragging all over FB, but I managed to get in a 75 mile training ride this week. Zoom-Zoom's DH was able to do a few laps with me. I did take about a 2.5 hour break between the first 50 and the last 25.But, I did it. yay! 2 weeks to LJ100.

You totally earned those bragging rights! Are you tapering, now? Derek seems to be enjoying the ease-up on miles and intensity, now.

[limewave]

You totally earned those bragging rights! Are you tapering, now? Derek seems to be enjoying the ease-up on miles and intensity, now.

I'm tapering too. Although, I haven't really been doing a lot of mileage on a regular basis. More like 90 minute rides with 4 endurance rides thrown in over the last 3 months . . . . . .

[zoom-zoom]

Ha, don't feel bad. I'm 3 weeks away from my first road century of the year and my longest ride all year has been a 50 miler. We'd hoped to go out for 60, today, but I don't think the weather is going to hold up. I'm hoping to squeeze in a 70 miler next weekend so I don't feel like a totally unfit slouch. :p

[limewave]

Even though I won't do as well as I originally wanted to, I don't feel like I sacrificed time with my family or neglected my responsibilities. I'll finish. It will be a long day but a great accomplishment :)

[Reesha]

I am really excited for you LW... this is going to be incredible. My personal trainer and the rest of his crew train for Syllamo's Revenge in Arkansas every year-- I'm one of the few who is not training for that (plus it's already done)... maybe I'll do it next year? Looks like a crazy course.

How technical is the LJ course?

[SpeedyChix]

I am really excited for you LW... this is going to be incredible. My personal trainer and the rest of his crew train for Syllamo's Revenge in Arkansas every year-- I'm one of the few who is not training for that (plus it's already done)... maybe I'll do it next year? Looks like a crazy course.

How technical is the LJ course?

LJ100 course is a great first 100 miler course. Not technical, a couple of the descents tend to get a bit rough but overall it's a great course.
The big plus is the vibe is really great and Rick does a super job on all the events he puts on.

[zoom-zoom]

She did it...and was awesome and all smiles at the finish! You'd never have known she worked so hard for so many miles. :D

[limewave]

Thanks Zoom-Zoom!

I FINALLY got around to putting together some kind of race report. I posted it under the racing section (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=47944).

[Anelia]

Yesterday I was at an endurance race, too. 100 km. I had set 2 goals: finishing first and setting a new women's record for the race. Mission accomplished :D My time was 5 hours 16 minutes. I could have done better but I was too shy on the downhills because there were too many people (over 700 cyclists and 300 runners) and this is the first time I ride the course. Also I needed a better energy and fuel timing. Still, I am happy :cool:

[Catrin]

Yesterday I was at an endurance race, too. 100 km. I had set 2 goals: finishing first and setting a new women's record for the race. Mission accomplished :D My time was 5 hours 16 minutes. I could have done better but I was too shy on the downhills because there were too many people (over 700 cyclists and 300 runners) and this is the first time I ride the course. Also I needed a better energy and fuel timing. Still, I am happy :cool:


Yayyyy Anelia! You met your goals and that was a LOT of people on the trails :eek:

[limewave]

Amelia-wow! New record=awesome!

[Artista]

Limewave and Anelia, you are my heroes!

[Catrin]

Limewave and Anelia, you are my heroes!

+100, though I am adding Artista to that list :)

[Artista]

+100, though I am adding Artista to that list :)
Oh goodness! I think that you may have the wrong impression of me, Catrin;) But thanks.

[Catrin]

Oh goodness! I think that you may have the wrong impression of me, Catrin;) But thanks.

You are welcome, and I doubt that I've the wrong impression. I also have all of the other great TE mountain bikers who do such awesome work on their mountain bikes on my list. I hope to some day be able to do at least a quarter of what all of you are able to do :D