Marathon Nationals, Bend OR ‘A Different Caliber’

[Carl Sanders]

I’d venture a guess that no other racer had brought along two doctors, there to provide him with bottle hand-ups, check his vitals and provide desperately needed encouragement on a most challenging course. I came prepared for this game.

Dr. Kevin Sherer, a pulmanologist and his wife Dr. Rebecca Sherer had just moved into the Bend area and were excited to see their old friend compete on a National stage and provide the critical support he wanted during this high-profile local bike race.

I knew that this would be a tough race; occurring at the end of a very long season; riding against the nation’s best; in with the very competitive and fast 40 -44 age category, with many riders carrying countless national and international titles in both Expert and Pro fields; over 53 miles of loose and technical single track covering over 5K in climbing. I felt ready.

I’d asked both doctors to leave the smocks and stethoscopes back at home. Keeping the rubber side down should keep me from requiring their expertise back in town.

Despite my best self-directed training efforts, as well as attempts at body weight reduction, improved handling skills and increased attention to nutrition and healthy supplementation, I still felt totally winded on most climbs, leaving me blown and out of focus on the immediately following, ever-demanding, ever-twisting tight single track descents. I was attributing this disheartening lack of perceived aerobic performance to my lack of acclimation needed for the 5,000’ elevation start. Although, I realized that I had raced at similar elevations prior without so much difficulty. Strange.

Early on, I let 15 or so riders in my class get ahead of me. Dejected, I watched this group, lead by Dario Fredrick motor steadily up the first fire road climb, as I weazed and heaved along behind. I was counting on my built endurance to pull through at day’s end. My legs felt strong.

It was easy to wash out 2X in the deep, super loose and dry volcanic powder that just got deeper as more riders passed over as the race progressed. Slow speed spills into the surrounding forest duff and moon dust left only minor scratches but thickly covered me with a black mud on the sweaty exposed skin.

The pre-rides were relatively easy in comparison; I didn’t have a string of riders out front churning up clouds of chocking, eye-burning dust; I could hold a clean line through the banked corners and I was riding well within my HR and comfort Zones. I was having fun!

Near the mid-point on the course, gasping and panting my way toward the 7,000’ top near the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, I was very grateful to receive a fresh camel back and gel flask from my personal medics on scene. Rebecca seem concerned about my well-being as I bumbled for re-supplies. ‘Are you O.K.?’ she asked. I had told my support crew earlier that a look of anguish on my face was no means for alarm or need to throw in the towel. ‘Great!’ I lied, jumping back on the bike for another round of suffering. Kevin cheered me on.

Never quite able to find my aerobic groove, I pushed on anyhow, trying to stay focused over the increasingly rocky and technical single track. Past mile 39, I slowly began over taking some riders, many of whom where the stragglers in the 20 and 30 age groups. I even  caught up to a few pro women digging deep up the final climb, but I still couldn’t quite figure out just how many riders in my class were still out ahead.

My bib #357 was a good caliber and omen by Kevin’s gun standards, but seemed to me  more indicative of a race that carried a bit more kick than I was expecting. To even be able to play on a field with nationally ranked riders was both daunting and rewarding. I put down what I had and then held on tight.

Up the final stretch, I emptied the tank, heart and chest exploding, squeaking out a 9th place finish in my class with a time of 4:30. 

My top ten objective at Nationals achieved.

..already thinking about next year.

 

[Jim Hewett]

Good work, Carl.  Is this the last race for the year?

[Carl Sanders]

Thanks -- yeah, that's what I had left...I'll get in a couple more long endurance rides in; Levi's Fondo, maybe one last double.

[Randy Sanders]

Great Job, you are not old enough for two Doctors, when one would do.

[Paul Montgomery]

Top ten, f^*k yeah... your my hero!

[Carl Sanders]

Thanks!