Fair Hill Classic Recap

mandi

mandi

Well-Known Member
Anybody else laying in bed with sore legs right now??

(I raced Cat 2 Women U40)
I had a pretty eventful race today:

-My front wheel came undone twice. (My skewer must be bad)

-At mile 8 my shifter broke, forcing me to ride the rest of the 12 miles as a SS. I gave up my SS for a reason... and this sucked. I was "stuck" at a 33x15/16, and the climbs were dreadful. *P.S. I ride a 26 inch bike. They are not dead.

-LOVED all the aid stations with the water handoffs. There was no better feeling then pouring cold water all over my head.

Finished in 4th place, and that's good enough for me!

Soooooo, how did your race go??
 
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I wanted to do this race but it wasn't in the wallet. I will never forget 2 years ago at one of those stops an angel lady came out from behind a tent and dumped a cold soaking wet sponge done my back...few miles later I folded my chain ring 🙁.

Broken shifter, no wheels and sore legs but you got to finish a long fun race and looks like you kept it clean
 
Getting my moneys worth....on FH 50

6 hours and 22 minutes of riding time for only 55 dollars, it's a BAHgin.

Nice ride, it reminded my of Stewart. I actually had more heat issues today than I did with SixPack. I struggled to keep cardio level down and almost was cooked at the start of the second lap when I got mixed in with the non-enduro types.

I was a zombie for the last 45 minutes where I picked up my only two falls without even hitting anything. Brain was toasted, glad I did not get hurt worse than I did.

Finished 22 or 33 in Mens 45+ Enduro for whatever that is worth....

Will be back next year.

wpf
 
This race sounded the death knell for me on endurance racing in the summer heat.

I was having a really fun day riding with my friend Mark and a guy with a connection to this board (I'm terrible with names -- I think his was Will, riding in a Halter's kit. Really nice guy.) The three of us were just rolling along for most of the first lap -- nice steady pace ride, enjoying the day. Then I hit about mile 18 and out of the blue both of my legs popped. Gone. Cramped. I was drinking plenty, but not too much, popping gels every 20-30 minutes depending on opprtunities, poured water over myself at each rest stop to cool off. It was all good -- in fact, on the section after that dirt road climb to the second rest stop, I was feeling really good. Then -- pop! Legs are gone. I mean they went from no problems to locking up in like a quarter mile. I tried to keep them at bay -- soft-pedaled some of the rollers. Will was leading our group at this point and started to gap us -- I just couldn't hold the wheel -- and I told Mark as we hit the base of the one real climb that he should go ahead because I was having trouble. He offered to stay, but I told him that it was going to get a lot worse so he should go and save his own race. So he goes around me and I felt like I'm standing still on the climb. I adjusted myself a little bit and took a few "micro-breaks", where I'd stop for a coupe seconds if my heart rate started to jack up. That got me through the rest of the lap - I came through the finsih area at about 2:40 for the first lap and thoguth that if I could hold it togetehr there were enough fast sections where I'd have to do very little work to reaosnably still shoot for somewhere in the 5 hour range. So I started the second lap and felt crappy right fro the start. My legs were getting worse and worse. I hung on all the way to the top of the big climb again and then started feeling lightheaded and sick and was more or less forced to pull the plug by the guy who was marshalling there. He told me to sit down for a minute, but then I couldn't get up without my whole body locking up. I was done, so I waited for the truck to come pick me up.

This has been an ongoing problem for me, and I think it's the reason I need to stop doing these kind of races in that kind of heat. I've been endurance racing for years, so you'd think I'd have worked out the whole cramping thing by now, but I think it has to do with control. I've basically been taking it away from myself steadily for a while now and it's caught up to me. Primarily, a year ago, I was diagnosed with some kind of metabolic thing that means I basically use too many muscle fibers in a given contraction. It's actually something I've had my whole life I guess, but I guess it takes the naked suffering of a 50 mile race to expose it! 😀 Basically, my body is going to feel like I've done 50 miles when I've only done 25 or 30 because I burn through muscle glycogen a lot faster than someone else.That's not ideal but by itself it would be manageable. But two years ago, I went exclusively to SS, which takes away some control, and then last year I also went rigid, which definitely does play a roll in how much a given race hurts. So I have very little margin for error to begin with and I sort of look at it as I'm fighting individual skirmishes on a number of fronts and trying to manage all of them to get me home. But once that last variable gets introduced -- the heat and humidity -- I just don't have the reserves to do it. Maybe I could solve this by increasing overall fitness, but I don't know -- seems to happen regardless of how I actually feel prior to the race. And yesterday drove that point home pretty starkly - I felt really good for 18 miles and then suddenyl I did not. It's a shame because I really do love doing these races, but I think I need to restrict my endurance races to spring and fall from now on. Meh ...

Other than that, though -- it was a fun day. 😀 I had a good time riding with those guys, it really is a fun (although rooty) course. One thing I did notice -- there were more mechnicals out there than I've ever seen. Before we even hit the woods in the prologue, we saw five people from Men's Open on the side of the trail fixing flats and one guy who was already done for the day -- looked like his derailleur had ripped off. It was less than a mile into the race!
 
Sitting at my desk at work, my legs, back, shoulders,......well everything is sore. I look forward to the Fairhill Classic every year.

I raced with 8 others in the Cat2 Clyde class. After watching the Cat2 30-39's have a pile-up at the start, made a decision to get the hole shot, which I did. Got passed around 1 mile by 2 riders. Just before we entered the woods, saw one of them off the trail with a flat, then the other guy also peeled off with a flat.

Sitting in first place, climbing the open field road after the prologue, I hear someone behind me which ends up being Sean Runnette on his rigid SS. Goes by me with what looks like little effort. I kept him within sight into the woods and got close once, but couldn't maintain it. Nice job Sean.

My goal was for sub 2 hrs which I managed to do and got 2nd place. My other goal was to finish the race without any other issues. I discovered a crack in my alloy Flash 29 frame the day before, where the top tube meets the seat tube. Using a Sharpie, put a dot at the ends of the crack. After the race, could see that the crack had extended through each mark. It's at the LBS now, hope I'm not waiting too long for a replacement.

JD
 
1speed said:
This race sounded the death knell for me on endurance racing in the summer heat.

I was having a really fun day riding with my friend Mark and a guy with a connection to this board (I'm terrible with names -- I think his was Will, riding in a Halter's kit. Really nice guy.) The three of us were just rolling along for most of the first lap -- nice steady pace ride, enjoying the day. Then I hit about mile 18 and out of the blue both of my legs popped. Gone. Cramped. I was drinking plenty, but not too much, popping gels every 20-30 minutes depending on opprtunities, poured water over myself at each rest stop to cool off. It was all good -- in fact, on the section after that dirt road climb to the second rest stop, I was feeling really good. Then -- pop! Legs are gone. I mean they went from no problems to locking up in like a quarter mile. I tried to keep them at bay -- soft-pedaled some of the rollers. Will was leading our group at this point and started to gap us -- I just couldn't hold the wheel -- and I told Mark as we hit the base of the one real climb that he should go ahead because I was having trouble. He offered to stay, but I told him that it was going to get a lot worse so he should go and save his own race. So he goes around me and I felt like I'm standing still on the climb. I adjusted myself a little bit and took a few "micro-breaks", where I'd stop for a coupe seconds if my heart rate started to jack up. That got me through the rest of the lap - I came through the finsih area at about 2:40 for the first lap and thoguth that if I could hold it togetehr there were enough fast sections where I'd have to do very little work to reaosnably still shoot for somewhere in the 5 hour range. So I started the second lap and felt crappy right fro the start. My legs were getting worse and worse. I hung on all the way to the top of the big climb again and then started feeling lightheaded and sick and was more or less forced to pull the plug by the guy who was marshalling there. He told me to sit down for a minute, but then I couldn't get up without my whole body locking up. I was done, so I waited for the truck to come pick me up.

This has been an ongoing problem for me, and I think it's the reason I need to stop doing these kind of races in that kind of heat. I've been endurance racing for years, so you'd think I'd have worked out the whole cramping thing by now, but I think it has to do with control. I've basically been taking it away from myself steadily for a while now and it's caught up to me. Primarily, a year ago, I was diagnosed with some kind of metabolic thing that means I basically use too many muscle fibers in a given contraction. It's actually something I've had my whole life I guess, but I guess it takes the naked suffering of a 50 mile race to expose it! 😀 Basically, my body is going to feel like I've done 50 miles when I've only done 25 or 30 because I burn through muscle glycogen a lot faster than someone else.That's not ideal but by itself it would be manageable. But two years ago, I went exclusively to SS, which takes away some control, and then last year I also went rigid, which definitely does play a roll in how much a given race hurts. So I have very little margin for error to begin with and I sort of look at it as I'm fighting individual skirmishes on a number of fronts and trying to manage all of them to get me home. But once that last variable gets introduced -- the heat and humidity -- I just don't have the reserves to do it. Maybe I could solve this by increasing overall fitness, but I don't know -- seems to happen regardless of how I actually feel prior to the race. And yesterday drove that point home pretty starkly - I felt really good for 18 miles and then suddenyl I did not. It's a shame because I really do love doing these races, but I think I need to restrict my endurance races to spring and fall from now on. Meh ...

Other than that, though -- it was a fun day. 😀 I had a good time riding with those guys, it really is a fun (although rooty) course. One thing I did notice -- there were more mechnicals out there than I've ever seen. Before we even hit the woods in the prologue, we saw five people from Men's Open on the side of the trail fixing flats and one guy who was already done for the day -- looked like his derailleur had ripped off. It was less than a mile into the race!
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Damn...I didn't think I be hearing from anyone that had a worse day than me, but it sounds like you did. Sorry man, you looked good when I saw you, but that was before mile 18.
I was feeling great, riding in the lead group of the Endurance Masters until I crashed hard at the first split, splitting my lip open on a stick. Blood everywhere...I'm gonna have a nice little scar for that one. I recovered somewhat but burned too many matches trying to catch back on (passing was really difficult on this course). By mile 20 I started to have really bad stomach issues. Note to self: and everyone else, for that matter, when the only place you can find open for breakfast at 5:30am is a Roy Rogers, DON"T order the sausage, egg & cheese croisant, and just have some Clif bars. My GI issues took me out completely...I finished the 1st lap but that was it. Oh well, still managed to enjoy the course though. Love that place!
 
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Martin, we were wondering what happened with you. I know this happened with a lot of the Endurance racers... they were coming through and looked like zombies. Glad to see you still had fun though!

The heat didn't get to me as much as it did at the Six Pack... granted I didn't do double the miles yesterday. But the humidity sucked. I felt like I couldn't take a deep breath.

Also, I couldn't believe how many mechanicals there were yesterday. I passed so many people with flats, or pushing their bikes in the opposite direction. You would have thought someone threw tacks all over the course or something :hmmm::hmmm:
 
Mandi, I heard your name called out at awards, but didn't see you there. Prizes were 5 deep, did you get the message and pick up a prize?

I thought the same thing about mechanicals. I saw alot of flats too.
 
Fh 50

Well considering this was my first long ride/race it was def interesting... I completed 1st loop in about 3 hrs felt pretty good and was just gonna call it a day since it was nice and didnt want to kill myself until a racerchick pitted next to me said cmon you can do it lol so off I went..

Mile 31.5 legs cramped sucked down water and more endurolytes, pushed til i hit mile 40, I was wrecked physicaly exhausted but determined so kept pedaling... Mile 46 oh hello cramps they were back along with the saddle rub/burn so i hobbled it in to the finish around 6hr 15 or so.. Was an awesome experience and I was cursing those long climbs out sayin WTF who put this here hahaha... All in all big shout out to all the volunteers, loved the sponging,hospitality and encouragement..

I also 2 guys flatted not even a mile into the race

Good job Mandi... I couldnt imagine rockin a SS there, must take some good conditioning since I was rockin my Granny gear alot lol
 
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thedoner said:
Damn...I didn't think I be hearing from anyone that had a worse day than me, but it sounds like you did. Sorry man, you looked good when I saw you, but that was before mile 18.
I was feeling great, riding in the lead group of the Endurance Masters until I crashed hard at the first split, splitting my lip open on a stick. Blood everywhere...I'm gonna have a nice little scar for that one. I recovered somewhat but burned too many matches trying to catch back on (passing was really difficult on this course). By mile 20 I started to have really bad stomach issues. Note to self: and everyone else, for that matter, when the only place you can find open for breakfast at 5:30am is a Roy Rogers, DON"T order the sausage, egg & cheese croisant, and just have some Clif bars. My GI issues took me out completely...I finished the 1st lap but that was it. Oh well, still managed to enjoy the course though. Love that place!
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I was glad to see you were able to ride again -- when we came past, Mark took a look at you and was like, "Oh my god! There's blood everywhere." I took a quick look back and that was all I could see. I thought you were done, but less than a mile later, you were back on us. That's baller. Sorry to hear abot the stomach issues -- that course is really tough to make passes on, and probably the worst part of trying that is that even if you get around them you then did all that work and the climbs are just starting toward the end of the lap. That's a tough day. You were up there while you were in it, though -- you may have even been the first Master's to come around us.

mandi said:
Martin, we were wondering what happened with you. I know this happened with a lot of the Endurance racers... they were coming through and looked like zombies. Glad to see you still had fun though!

The heat didn't get to me as much as it did at the Six Pack... granted I didn't do double the miles yesterday. But the humidity sucked. I felt like I couldn't take a deep breath.

Also, I couldn't believe how many mechanicals there were yesterday. I passed so many people with flats, or pushing their bikes in the opposite direction. You would have thought someone threw tacks all over the course or something :hmmm::hmmm:
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Yeah,t he mechanicals were insane. Must have been the roots. There were a lot of little sticks and branches that seemed to just want to reach out and grab wheels. I actually did get lucky at one point to avoid one that I created for myself. I thought I saw a line to make a pass and so I led Mark and Will up onto a log only to find that it ended abruptly in a branch stick up. We were all able to narrowly avoid that branch getting stuck in our wheels, but I think after that, we all decided that my line-choosing privileges needed to be revoked! 😀
 
Glad to see so many familiar faces yesterday! Tough break Martin, today was not an easy day by any means. After I was done I couldn't imagine going out for another lap of that! Larry was the fellow you were referencing

Glad to see you finish Joe!

Glad to say JDurk's frame didnt explode mid race 😛

(I'm cross-posting from my blog since I know many people read this site that raced and have some sort of experience!)
Blog said:
Mandi was NOT happy to be waking up at 5am for Fair Hill. Sadly it was her choice to do this race! Saw a car accident on the way in the middle of 95. Not a good morning for somebody!

Saw Dana and Bill and Larry the CPuncher getting ready for the 50. May the force be with them!

Hung around until the Endurance racers went off with Mandi, Jocelyn and Monte. I Got geared up to watch Mandi and the rest of the Cat 2'ers take off. There was a crash at the beginning of the 30-39's that was pretty nasty. Mandi heads off 2nd to last on the prologue, just like usual.

So now I'm rolling around by myself. Didn't want to warm up TOO much, but didnt need to explode. Saw some kid (less than 12 years old) knock over the Road Closed sign by accident. He just kept rolling around. Another kid the same age rode over and picked up and fixed it. I was close so I went over too and said "You are a good kid." Feel like I made his day.

On the road I was warming up I could see where part of the course was and people were gathering. I hung around and saw Mandi come through. She let me know her front wheel was loose, again. WTF?! Can't figure out whats going on with that. By this time it's just about time to line up.

The start goes off and I'm maybe third/fourth from the back. Over 20 people in our class. I know how this road starts and I'm content with sucking wheels. Well actually it was sucking dust. It was so damn dusty and I couldn't see a damn thing. I was just praying someone didn't pile up. I had my eyes closed part of the time. I felt in control and not out of my element at this point. We head into the ST and I'm still with this little group of 4-5 people. Has to be 10-15th at this point? Cool. Someone already flatted so +1 for me. I feel at home at this terrain and It plays into my favor. The ground was a tad dry and the potential for washing out was high. Not worth taking the risks at this point. We head over the first water crossing with a little wooden bridge. I can hear everyone slowing up and we catch up to everyone riding over this bridge. One guy goes around the bridge which is another 10 feet additional trail, but a safer bet. I take this way and end up losing that 2-3 bike lengths I needed. Darn. I reel the group back in a little, but it hurts.

It seems like 45 minutes into the race I'm finally feeling it. I figure out my gearing, I figured out my pace and I'm just chugging along. I know people are behind me, as well as the other categories, and no one has passed me yet. This is a huge accomplishment for me, minor for ya'll. I actually start picking off people that went too hot in the beginning. What? This is new. I pass a couple of people and actually make it stick.

Each water station I take a nice sip of water an dump the rest on my back.

Feelsgoodmannnnn

The first obstacle after the first water stop is a steep hike a bike section. I'm behind someone and say "Many my GF is 4'11, she was probably PISSED!" The volunteer laughs and said she actually crushed this section. Must ask.

I come up to the super twisty section that I remember from last years race. I sit in behind someone from my class and just get my shit together. Nice and easy, reminds me of the Six Mile-ish section of CR on top of the lookout. Rooty, twisty and fast. I could go faster, but I'm just pacing dudeman. This guy I'm pacing stinks on the downhills, so I wait until a safe spot comes up and make a move. It was a good move with a little but of a climb, followed by a nice downhill. Don't see him again. Fyeah.

Couple of these climbs before the sport/expert split were rough. I'm using the people around me to judge the pace/gearing and I feel good. All systems are working at their best potential. I'm not hammering up these climbs, but maintaining. Feel good.

We come up to the split for Expert and Sport and We head right. I knew we were close, but the next 7 miles brought rumors of big hills. I turn right and look up and BAM. Here it is. This is a long one. Once again I pace myself and make it top the top.

I've been battling with one guy back and forth at this point. He has a great pace going uphill and I try to match it, but I can't do it for too long. I would pass him on the DH and he would catch and pass on the uphill.

Eventually I start losing steam around mile 23. I can't keep it together anymore and have to slow down. I get chicked by the Elite Women winner, which I was hoping to avoid. Meh!

I lose 2-3 spots while this meltdown occurs, but I still have a race on me. Still the climbing/spinning guy I was pacing earlier (I think) I have one last little kick in me. I hammer myself up this one little climb and open up a little bit of a gap. The trail then merges with the Cat 2 class, making a mess of whos who. I'm able to put 2-3 Cat 2'ers between me and dude. I give any last bit I have left of me on the last slight uphill to open up whatever gap I could hold. The road goes downhill and then the slight uphill over the bridge to the finish. I don't see him anymore and cruise in.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/199721661

I finished 15th out of 20, which is big for me. I felt like I raced a good race and stayed within my limits. I should have raced this way at the Six Pack 😛
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JDurk said:
Mandi, I heard your name called out at awards, but didn't see you there. Prizes were 5 deep, did you get the message and pick up a prize?

I thought the same thing about mechanicals. I saw alot of flats too.
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Yes thank you! I was actually told by Sean R. that I had won something. I didn't realize they went more then 3 deep, so 4th place didn't seem so bad after! I must have missed awards while I watched my friends finish.
 
Martin.... You were riding with Bill (Halter's unicorn kit and green Mary)... He had a great time riding with you guys... Sounds like you were all really moving for a while there 🙂

I raced the Endurance race. Not my best performance, but I had to get my 50miles in and I did. Next year I hope to be more competitive. I was super happy my legs were feeling great. My lower back started acting up for the first time in a long time about 3/4 of the way through the 1st lap, but I held it in check long enough to finish.

I was psyched to see that every woman that raced endurance did the two laps. The ladies I raced with out there are all rock stars!!! 😀
 
Good job james.. Also was nice to meet ya Martin... Im looking forward to the DH40 now.. guess I have to keep riding and riding and riding..
 
dnap said:
Martin.... You were riding with Bill (Halter's unicorn kit and green Mary)... He had a great time riding with you guys... Sounds like you were all really moving for a while there 🙂

I raced the Endurance race. Not my best performance, but I had to get my 50miles in and I did. Next year I hope to be more competitive. I was super happy my legs were feeling great. My lower back started acting up for the first time in a long time about 3/4 of the way through the 1st lap, but I held it in check long enough to finish.

I was psyched to see that every woman that raced endurance did the two laps. The ladies I raced with out there are all rock stars!!! 😀
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glad you were able to put a whole day together
 
1 speed- One thing I noticed in your recap, you ate gels and drank water only. Why not an electrolyte drink? Most racers will cramp from lack of electrolytes. I rode the Darkhorse 40 years ago with just gels and water and cramped badly about 20 miles in. I now use perpetuem and endurolytes as sources of electrolytes. Much less problems with cramping. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck
 
I raced the cat 2 30-39 and let me tell you how funit was to be right behind a pile up 15 seconds into a 2 hour race!!LOL Luckily i made it around that carnage unscathed.

This was my second ever MTN bike race and my first one was a cat3 affair (neshaminy) The first race went real well and felt that i should just do the 2 and quit over thinking it. I was pretty nervous because i didnt know how my body was going to reaact with a race effort heading towards two hours? I race CX/Road but those efforts are so short compared to this, so my stategy was to not blow my load in the first half hour, but after the crash i probably went out to hard(so did most) and eventually settled in at a decent pace. I battled with about 4 guys on the course and tried to save some for the end. My plan worked out pretty well and i ended up 8th place in the field.

Super fun race course with really cool people and it was nice at mile 16 and then at mile 18 we were told how long to go! that was highly motivating and well appreciated.

I think Road racing may have lost me to its much cooler and more friendly younger brother for good!!
 
metalhead44 said:
1 speed- One thing I noticed in your recap, you ate gels and drank water only. Why not an electrolyte drink? Most racers will cramp from lack of electrolytes. I rode the Darkhorse 40 years ago with just gels and water and cramped badly about 20 miles in. I now use perpetuem and endurolytes as sources of electrolytes. Much less problems with cramping. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck
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I actually did have electrolyte drink as well -- I had a bottle of electrolyte drink on the bike (Zym for the first lap, and then had to switch to Heed on the second because I forgot to swap out the bottle when I swapped to my second Camelbak in the transition.) I was also popping three endurolytes every hour (appropriate for my weight.) I've used Perpetuem in the past, and with some success, but it's also one of those things that can really wrong sometimes. There may be a sweet spot for me with all of this stuff, but it's a really narrow range if it exists, and all the indications of what it should be seem to be off. OH well -- if I never get it dialed, I can always still race endurance in the spring and fall, and I think I'd be fine to go back to "normal" distance races. Then I can still get beat, but in less time! 😀
 
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