Tahoe Sierra <100

[Carl Sanders]

That one cost me.

I cracked. Found my edge. Left more than I cared to by the side of the trail. 

Despite taking a wrong turn in the first 10 miles that cost me 15 minutes, back-tracking up to the course, I was holding on to 7th position past the Mad Cat Aid Station at mile 64. I was confident that I could catch a few more riders for a top five finish.

Then my gut began to rumble on the first single track section of the Western States Trail that we would now follow for the remainder of the course.

A crazy sick drop into the first canyon, followed by an arduous hike-a-bike push back up on to the next ridge, kept things interesting. No riding up that gullied trail filled with golfball sized rocks. As I pushed upward, my lower GI twisted into knots. Two more long single track drops and hike-a-bike still ahead. I began to falter.

Trying not to focus on the building pressure down under, I pedaled weakly on, attempting to keep it together on the steep descents. Rumbles growing loader, the desperate cold-sweat inducing urge could no longer be ignored.

Off the bike, stumbling down the hill and dashing behind a log, I had an explosive episode that left me empty and weak.  It did not appear that I had absorbed anything consumed all day.  This was very uncomfortable.

Cleaned up and back on the bike, I limped along the last portion of the course that included one more technical descent and one last hiking section.  I made no attempt to catch riders over taking me.  Somewhere in the last 10 miles, Shiloh caught up with me, pulling me along a short distance to a refreshing creek crossing where we parted ways.  I was no longer racing, my body depleted, anxious only to finish and be done for the day.

Coasting across the finish in 12th place, 9 1/2 hrs on the bike, I was never so glad to get off my bike and into the nearby shower.  

The truly sick part of this story is that I'm already contemplating another attempt next year, assuming I figure out how to prevent another 'exercised induced gastrointestinal distress' episode like this one.  Never again.

 

 

 

 

[Jim Hewett]

Sorry for the bad luck, Carl.  I know you put a lot into preparing for this and I know you will finish strong next year.