Bill!

What an event!

Although you're not happy with your decision, you did learn a great deal not only about the race, but also about yourself.

I can't even begin to imagine the mental and emotional aspects of a race like that, let alone to think about how to prepare for it.  The physical training is the easy part.

Now you know what to expect and you know what do differently. 

What great learnings and insights you've shared, everything from equipment, to nutrition, to the mental toughness required.

I for one am incredibly proud of you!

thank you for sharing!!!

Bill

The honesty and emotions of your race report made me think. It was incredibly difficult and you did amazing with all that you did accomplish and learn. I think we often learn more from difficulties and performances that aren't our best compared to good races.

That question is one you will wrestle with and come to terms with in time. I hope you find peace in it and learn so you are better able to handle v6.

We're going to have to talk sometime as I'd like to ask you some questions. I'm not sure able to make the time cut offs and if it would be something I'd enjoy tackling still pondering. Sounds like a huge challenge for sure!

Bill, congratulations!!!  You did so much and you have an amazing story.  I can't imagine what you went through in that time.  I hope you can find peace with yourself.  It's hard to live with giving up early (I've been there before).  Remember how much you learned and keep in mind what you've accomplished.

Sounds like your emotions were like the roller coaster hills.  I'm guessing this is the first time you've tried this race?  Seems like you learned a lot and now you're going to be that much better able to prepare for next year.  I loved your description of starting out with the lights and the stars and the energy.  It felt like we were there, too. 

Remember - you attempted (and completed a large portion of) something that a lot of people wouldn't even contemplate starting.....don't be too hard on yourself!

~Sue

So let me get this straight -- you rode 151 miles, and then stopped? (And it seems like your stopping was more mental stuff than physical.)

Well CONGRATULATIONS! Because riding 151 miles is a MAJOR accomplishment!

Are they going to have this race again next year? If so, I'm betting that you'll make it all the way.

I can't even imagine riding 151 miles. The 56 I did for NOLA 70.3 was enough for me! I'm very impressed! You learned alot and you'll be so prepared for next time!

Congrats on making it 151 miles!!  A very impressive accomplishment. 

Now you know what to expect and how to plan even better for this kind of race. 

What's next on the agenda?

Edited by skarl 2009-05-06 11:26 AM

Wow. Incredible. 
I know from your perspective right now you are not seeing it this way but please know that that was an amazing accomplishment!
I am in awe........

Good work. Sounds like a very difficult race. Tough call about dropping out. Thing with that is that you may very well never know if you made the right call.

I cannot believe you did all that riding with a backpack, brutal. Talk about a sufferfest. Wow.

At least you have a reason to do it again next year.

This user's post has been ignored.

I've ridden in Vista, Escondido and Fallbrook.  I can honestly tell you there is nothing in this area that compares to the rollers we experienced in Trans Iowa.  Imagine riding the full 300 plus miles on gravel with these rollers.  They were extremely steep and constant.  In addition, they were gravel so standing was not an option on many of them.  About the only thing that is comparable is riding the avacado groves off the main roads-- which is what Trans Iowa did (we were always off the main roads).

wgraves-- good job even attempting the event.  It is a monster event and if you didn't have Ultra cycling experience, or gravel road experiencce chances are you weren't going to be successful.   

I posted the elevation graph of the complete event.  Notice the hundreds of rollers.  

 

There certainly was a lot of mental toughness required to finish this race.  However, the physical part was very demanding as well.  The gravel just beat you up for 300+ miles.  The B roads where you had to dismount and sometimes carry your bike (mine weighed 35lbs with all the gear).  I also dismounted on the super steep rollers and walking on those steep grades pushing that bike up the hill was quite a strain.  

Like I said in another post -- wgraves don't be so hard on yourself.  This may not make you feel better but only 15 out of 52 starters finished.  By the way, I also carried a hydration pack with 100 oz.  It was essential and I would use it again.  You should know I NEVER use one but this time it was well worth it. 

BTW, nOOb to this forum can someone tell me how to subscribe to a thread so I can get an email when someone posts to it?  

EDIT:  Never mind found the toogle on the bottom of the page.  

george 

Edited by Red Eyed Vireo 2009-05-07 11:31 AM

Bill - awesome story, even if you stopped before you wanted to. I've seen the hills in North English as well as Iowa's b-roads...dated a rural Iowa boy through college (in Iowa). Whoever lied to you about Iowa being flat was, well, lying.

I hope you get the chance to try it again you wish. What you learned about the challenge and yourself will serve you well.

I posted a video on my website on my Trans Iowa V.5 experience.  

This user's post has been ignored.

OMG it didn't click until right NOW! You're Bill from Buffalo?  I wondered what ever happened to you.   Hey like I've said before don't be so hard on yourself.  This was a long hard race.  Have you done Ultra Cycling events before?  What type of training did you do leading up to this event?
 

Awesome job Bill! 

Tackling those mental demons is not the easiest - let me know your secrets when you've moved to talking yourself INTO the next stage!

This user's post has been ignored.

Bill,

This is first and foremost an endurance event- specifically an Ultra Cycling event.  It just happens to be raced on gravel.  While that is an important factor, your fitness is much more important than the terrain.  I live in southern California.  We don't have gravel roads here either.  I had NEVER ridden on gravel until Trans Iowa, NEVER ridden a MTB and NEVER ridden a CX bike (I built a bike from my host in Des Moines the day before race).

 The only thing I brought to race was my physical fitness AND my mental strength forged over the years from my Ultra Cycling experience.

May I suggest that if you intend to return to Trans Iowa that you take on a  local brevet series.  Do the series of 200km (125 miles), 300km (187 miles) ,  400km (250 miles) , and the 600km (375 miles) .  Those brevets will better prepare you than searching for stretches of gravel.  There are things that you will discover about your body and your mind when you push beyond the 200 mile mark.  Find some double centuries as well although a brevet being unsupported will better prepare you for Trans Iowa.

Live and learn my friend.  You had an awesome ride and learned a TON!  I know its hard, but don't beat yourself up over it.  All you can do is build on the great base that you have and plan for next year.  Don't just focus on what made you unhappy about the race, but also what you did that you're proud of and  you definitely had some great moments to be VERY proud of.  Nice work making it through 151 miles!  How many mere mortals can do that in a day?

I posted a Trans Iowa race report on my blog and website.  The website report has a little more content including an epilogue I am still working on.

Thank you in advance for reading.

Edited by Red Eyed Vireo 2009-05-15 9:08 PM