Lotoja 2008

[Alex]

Yesterday, DH and I completed the 206-mile Logan to Jackson road race. We entered as a 2-person relay team. I was the one who wanted to do LOTOJA, but I didn't want to put in all the training hours that would be required to ride 206 miles myself. DH said he would do whatever sections I didn't want to do, so I took the first 35-mile leg, and gave him the next 91 miles (which were mostly climbs). I finished up with the final two windy legs into Jackson, for a total of 115 miles.

I started in the dark, with temps in the 40s. I paired up with a guy who was happy to take turns pulling with me. I sailed into Preston and handed the timing chip off to DH.

DH did a great job on the climbs. His goal was to leave me as much time as possible to do the final 81 miles. The finish line closes at 8:15 p.m. or dark, whichever comes sooner, so I figured I would need to finish by 8:00 to be safe. I saw him at the feedzone after his first leg and sent him off fast. I was ready and waiting at the next relay switch point and he sailed in at 2:20. (Neither of us is particularly fast! )

I was a bit worried about whether I'd have enough time to do the final 81 miles because the wind was sure kicking up. I found a small group, and we made short work of the next 35-mile leg.

DH met me at the last supported feed zone and he switched out my bottles of Perpetuem and Heed and ripped open a gel for me. He told me that instead of the expected tailwind into Jackson, it was going to be a headwind. (Having just done what was supposed to be the headwind portion of the course, that came as a surprise.) He also said that the last leg was supposed to be the prettiest and that I only needed to manage 12 mph. I knew I could do that, no matter what. Nothing like adrenaline, you know?

I was with a small group heading out of the feedzone, but got dropped like a hot potato on the first larger climb. I ended up doing most of the final 46 miles alone. It seemed like the other riders were either too fast or too slow. I stopped at the final neutral feedzone for water and a trip to the portajohn, and that took a few minutes because the line was moving very slowly. With 26 miles to go, the only question was by how much time would I beat my 8:00 goal.

We did have more wind, but it wasn't too bad. Right around 6:30, I realized that if I kept up a good pace, I could finish before 7:00. There were people at the turns to cheer you on, and people ringing cowbells out their car windows, and I decided that I MUST finish before 7:00! That 5K to go sign was SWEET! I rolled in at 6:54, waved to DH who was waiting in the crowd, and crossed the line with the biggest grin on my face.

"Johnny & June" was running through my head on the last leg and I amused myself by singing the opening verse over and over:

Oh there's something 'bout a man in black
Makes me wanna buy a Cadillac
Throw the top back
And roll down to Jackson town

I know that I'm not fast, and I could definitely stand to be stronger, but I was just so happy to finish and to finish strong. I felt like a million bucks and I never did feel bad on the ride, even though I was really pushing myself the entire way. There's no way I could have maintained my pace for 206 miles and DH said the same thing about the legs that he completed.

In the weeks leading up to LOTOJA, I had saddle issues and sit bone issues and hamstring issues, and it was wonderful to feel so great during the race. I'm feeling pretty good tonight, too, although I could stand to get some more sleep.

Last night, I kept waking up and thinking about the various parts of my body that were tired and sore. I told myself, "I am NEVER doing that again." Of course, during the drive home, DH and I were already plotting for LOTOJA 2009!

Alex

[sbctwin]

Great Job, Alex...

[BikeDutchess]

Awesome job and great ride report!

[NJBikeGal]

Awesome job! I did it a few years ago as part of a relay and have been hoping to go back every year since. I'm out on the east coast, but my sister used to live in Logan. After she moved, the logistics of doing it were never quite right again. One of these days, I'll make it out there for a solo!

[Sindyeli]

Bravo Alex, I live in Jackson and went riding to cheer up everyone. Was that you I saw? I thought so! Hmm, perhaps not as I was out around 4pm.
It was great to see all these racers and I'm impressed you finished, it seems like a hard one. I didn't even know you could do relay and that most interest me with my DH. Anyways, you can feel proud, no doubt.

[Lifesgreat]

Congratulations Alex and Mr. Alex! Just think, if you ate doughnuts, it would have been faster