Race Report: Leadville 100 - back online

Leadville 100 Yes...finally...my take on the Leadville 100 with pictures! Since the day I found out I was in, my thoughts have been a roller coaster about how this race will go. One day thinking nine hours or less is the main goal...others were maybe 10...or 11 hours...just finish?? I've never raced this long (distance or time) so everything was up in the air.

TJ helped calm my nerves a lot by insisting that he knew I was ready for the challenge. Since he's coached several others through preparation for this race, it was easy to believe him and confidence going into a race like this is key. I can't

thank my Mom, Dad, and sister and her boyfriend Jeremy enough for helping out and cheering me on! It by no means was an easy day for them- I'm sure it gets very long out there- but sounds like they had a great time with it all as well. Both stops on the course were well planned in advance and couldn’t have gone smoother thanks to them- again its extremely nice having confidence in all aspects out there!

Putting us in corrals this year was fine with me- my first time racing this so not much to compare but it seemed to work out very smooth! We were off into the neutral rollout with police escort just after Ken Chlouber started this race with the traditional shotgun blast. I was able to work my way up towards the front of my 'corral' by the time I got to the dirt and the race was truly underway. I was surprised at how fast I felt and easy it was to give juuuuuuust enough effort to be in the front of where the bottleneck up St. Kevins was likely to begin...I bet I passed 3-400 other riders or more from the start to that point.

Although I was ahead of the "walkers"- it was still packed. I noticed a few riders had formed a little conga line that was strategically and successfully navigating its way smoothly through this packed field on the climb. I jumped in line here

and passed another 1-200 relatively easy going up this climb- riding eyes up, leaving some room in front was very helpful- I had time to avoid some mistakes by other not-so-smooth riders and crested St. Kevins climb without incident! The screaming fast descent to the bottom of the next climb was super fast and before I knew it I was going up again- up and over Sugarloaf mountain. A good tough climb...rather uneventful though...which was fiiine by me.

After this crest comes the Powerline descent. The movies make a big deal of the technical level of this- but really it was not that bad at all. There was one relatively quick safe line, but I was definitely not descending as fast as I could have being stuck behind other riders. But each time I deviated from the beaten path to pass, the huge 12-24" deep ruts were just too much to risk hopping over, through, and around in a race like this. I stayed in line for the most part and again finished this section without incident...now at mile 20...turning onto the pavement towards Pipeline...wait...was that twitch a cramp in both hammy's??? Already?!?! This could be a very long (or very short race).

I blasted through the Pipeline feed zone at about 2hrs 13mins into this race. After that I jumped into a pace line with some folks wearing green 'Tennessee Pass' jerseys...and there was Roxanne Hall who I recognized from the movies- her story is pretty unbelievable- determination at its best!

50 mins later I arrive at the Twin Lakes feed zone. People EVERYWHERE! Running along side you cheering, cow bells, waving things- felt Tour de France-ish...of course I've only

seen that on TV before though. Eventually reach my crew- Jill ready and holding my musette anticipating a ride by hand-off. I did stop brefely- 10 seconds at most- dropped the three empty bottles and took off again- literally 10 seconds at most- awesome stop and can't thank them enough for being there to do that. Off to climb the BIIIIG hill- Columbine mountain was up next.

With those cramps stuck in my mind from earlier I was a little worried. Through the TL stop I still managed to be riding in the same group of about 10 riders including the Tennessee Pass team. I held a nice steady (not exactly fast) pace up the road part until the "Goat Path" section. I rode up where many were walking at first but then my hamstrings let go completely with 1-2 miles left to the top. I was walking- and baby steps at that. Each time I tried to get on and pedal my hamstrings lit up. Eventually I made it to the top- the group I was with was now looooooong gone.

I started the way down Columbine and again stuck behind several others not so strong descending...but gave me some time to gather my thoughts. The others I was passing that were on their way up made me realize my leg issues are not that bad...some of them were in for still a very long day and THOSE are the people that I admire. The determination you could see in their eyes and is very inspiring. I went down Columbine the whole way riding very safe and very slow compared to my usual kamikaze style- my split times reflect this.

As I passed through the TL feed zone I saw my family had packed up and moved just as planned and knew they'd be waiting at Pipeline for me. Still unsure

of my legs at this point I started up the little road climb out of TL and noticed by keeping a 50-60 rpm cadence my legs were able to handle a lot more gear- and speed ;) I picked my pace up again with this renewed feeling of excitement that while a sub-9 hour finish is gone, maybe at least sub 10hrs is still in the cards!

Pipeline station comes and there they are- my crew just as planned and I was about half a bottle left of the three I grabbed at TL outbound. I unloaded as much as I could in my pockets (rain jacket, arm warmers, gel wrappers, etc) and took off for the last stretch of this tour. The next time I stop is at the finish! For the most part I was right. I had to walk the bottom section of Powerline, as expected, but was able to muscle the rest in my 50-60 cadence without fail...I don't get it...don't know why...even HOW my legs could handle this but not 90 rpm lighter spin but whatever works I guess!

The climb up this was the craziest part of the race for me though...I never stopped- even when walking at the bottom it was always one step in front of the other...KEEP MOVING FORWARD!! Kept repeating this and its important to remember. After that steep section even though I rode the rest- it seemed to go FORRRREVERRRRR. Crested Sugarloaf now for the second time of the day 'cept the opposite direction- back down the mountain for the last big climb up St. Kevins. Keeping the cadence crazy low I again muscled my way up this road climb and seriously started making up some time and passed many others. Clicked down a few more gears and passed the crowd I was with on the Pipeline and up Columbine! I was feeling great and everything was coming together nicely for a strong finish! All the way up and over...then back down.

Done with major climbs and I felt STRONG! Although still preparing for something unexpected I again aborted my kamikaze mountain downhill antics and stayed cautious. Still 12 miles or so to go. Once I got to the bottom and onto the dirt

road through the pasture I looked at my watch and realized 10 hours was still close but coming fast. I decided to ride as hard as I could until I blow up or finish- whichever comes first. I had heard the "Boulevard" referred to as the "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" before as this is a 3.5 mile stretch of dirt road with a slight incline the entire way that can fool some and cause wicked cramps that destroy hopes of close time goals if pushed too hard...this was not the case for me. I was out of the saddle the entire time passing maybe 20-30 more riders here. It was absolutely one of the best feelings ever being able to finish my first 103.5 mile races smiling and sprinting!?!?!

I crossed the line at 9:59:47...yes that's 9hrs 59mins- NOT 10 hours ;-) Other than being out of breath from that final sprint at the end...I felt great! My family and crew were there to congratulate me as I hugged and thanked them all for helping. Hugged Marilee and thanked her for the race! Then my crew bought me a massage from Ella, the hot girl from Sweden. Seriously...how perfect is this! Bike worked flawlessly, feed drops worked perfectly, super strong finish...it was all so awesome. I CANNOT WAIT TO COME BACK...and destroy this time and get that big buckle.

I didn’t get my sub-nine hour finish this time...but after having time to evaluate everything now, if I wouldn't have kept trying to spin so fast and kept a lower easier cadence I could've been at least close if not reached that goal. My fitness is

definitely there! TJ worked with me through my crazy schedule with work, and moving, and several other things that threatened many times to derail my training progress to adjust my workouts and keep things in order. Its been a tumultuous summer that way, but, it all worked out in the end. After the race it was back to the condo in Silverthorne for nice soak in the hot tub and I ate the refridgerator.