Arrowhead 135 2014 Recap.

Cold.  The word that's going to describe the 2014 running of the Arrowhead 135.  While it was cold, I wasn't cold, but it is the cold that finally pushed me to the always difficult decision of pulling the plug.

 

At the start, -24.

 

 

At the start I was very briefly behind the two leaders.  Jay Petervary hit the gas and that was it.  I pulled off to the left and let others pass.  I fell into my groove and instantly knew this was going to be a hard race.  The trail was pretty solid but when it gets this cold it just wants to grab on to the tires and not let go. 

I made a couple rookie mistakes that still frustrate me a bit.  I checked my tire pressure inside the hotel room and it was fine, however I neglected to account for the change from warm to cold.  The bike was steering really weird and grabbing more than normal.  One time out of the saddle and I knew my tires were too low.  Usually it's the other way around.  I do carry a pump but never needed it so I store it my my hydration pack, not the easies to access.  Because of the cold and the effort it would entail I pushed on.

The other day working on my bike I was checking everything.  Not wanting to have a crank arm fall off I tighten up the arms.  It spun tight but figured that would break in.  Nope...got worse.  I know the cold slows the BB's (bottom bracket) but this was bad.  Mile 9 I stopped and tried to loosen it with my tools but I'm still to weak with my bum hand.  Onward!

Those are my rookie mistakes.

 

About 2 hours in I came upon Charly Tri fixing a flat.  I knew I was way off the back and thought I'd lend a hand.  His first tube exploded, his pump was uber slow, then is thru axle started acting up.  About 30 cold minutes later I was off at the hardest pace I could muster to warm my hands.  While I knew I wasn't winning I still wanted to place well.  I slowly started picking off the riders.  I wasn't putting out a crazy effort but enough that my legs became heavier and heavier.  Even easing up didn't help much.  My heart rate, from the start, was high...never below 160 and up to 180.  I rarely see 180 so I knew I was hurting. 

As some hills started to show I slugged up them already in my easiest gear.  This isn't even the hilly section of the course, so again thoughts of maybe not continuing on entered my mind.

 

Another mistake I made, that I thought I had dialed was my clothing.  I had light weight wool tops with a heavier weight wool pull over.  I was overheating, no matter the pace.  I tried venting but to no avail.  This almost bums me out more than quitting.

Upon entering the Gateway checkpoint I was surprised and happy to see so many other bikers hunkering down, drying out, and hydrating.  Now it was decision time.  Quit, continue on, or maybe just push on to the second checkpoint and quit there.  I wasn't cold, even after standing around some.  I started hydrating and thinking.  As I stood there my legs and back felt as if I just finished the 135 miles, but I still had 100 miles to go.  I was done.  Not for me.  I knew I was wet too but was shocked at how wet I was once I started to change.  I could have wrung out my base layer!   Continuing on would have been brutal...especially if I got a flat or mechanical.  I did carry an extra base layer but everything was wet so one piece was almost worthless.
Upon telling Jen I was done she teared up and hug me...guessing the right call was made!

While I know I made the right call for me it still stings a bit.  It does provide more fuel for other races and of course the AH135 next year!

Thanks to all the support: from social media, family, friends, and most of all Jen.

Ironically my room at Fortune Bay Casino is looking out over the finish line of the AH135.  Can't decide if that's good or bad!

Later.