What If's And Maybe's
"ooo, ooo, what if maybe?
ooo, oooh, what if maybe?
ooo, ooo, what if maybe?"
- "What If's and Maybes", Bromheads Jacket
ooo, ooo, what if maybe?"
- "What If's and Maybes", Bromheads Jacket
First let me say I feel kinda cheezy with this post 'cause I read Dicky's blog and he has a similar theme going on pondering race "what if's". So thanks for the inspiration Rich.
Saturday as I rode/walked/puked/cramped/crawled around the race course on my 14th and final lap I told myself that this was the last lap. No regrets. Be done. Be happy with the result. 3 days later I find myself steeped in the "what if's and maybes" of my race.
My big mistake was looking at the final results. I saw that I completed 14 laps in 11:14 and places 6 through 8 had 15 laps but with some significant time gaps ahead of me. Should have I pushed on? What did I f*ck up? Could I have moved up a couple places? How long would #15 have taken me? Given my "state" would it have been dangerous? I mean two of those laps were done while dry heaving clear stomach juice all over my legs. What if? Maybe if?? Grrrr!!
The thing that is the strangest with this racing is how f*cking FAST we (I) forget the pain. I was dry heaving, cramping, bug eyed, and as salty as the rim of a Mad Mex Big Azz Margarita and NOW I sit here wondering if I should have kept going?? What the hell is wrong with me? No, I'm never going to be a "big dog" on the race course, but I KNOW I had the shit to be more competitive that day and f*cked up my hydration/nutrition.
I'm not 100% on how I f*cked up, but I have at least one theory. I was pumping out a TON of sweat. I knew I would. I used my hydration pack filled with varying combinations of Nuun, Zym, or Elixir combined with my "go to" fuel- Universal Carbo Pro Plus mixed to accommodate a 50 oz. bladder. I figured I've done shorter rides with this simplified combo, so I'd use it for the race, suck down some gels and be good to go.
It worked for the calories I needed, but I think that too many carbohydrates were jacking with the osmolality of the drink, taking longer for my body to absorb the much needed water and electrolytes and hydrate my cells properly. Result- dehydration and all the fun shit that comes with it.
In hindsight I should have gone with the Nuun, Zym, Elixir, in the pack and sip my nutrition from the bottle and gels when the course allowed or in the pits. I'm just spit ballin' here, but this is my theory that might help me sleep tonight! HA!
Believe me the irony is NOT lost on me that I've spent the last few month researching sports drinks, but overlooked some key points of hydration combined with calorie intake. I'm so f*cking retarded!! Oh well, there's still MANY more miles to race this season. Enough with the What if's and maybes. Except for THIS ONE! ('cause it ROCKS!).
In better news the Fox F29 is going to be a reality for me soon. Big Al from Bikeman.com ordered it from Fox yesterday, but if Fox doesn't have an 2008 in stock I may have to wait about a month for the 2009 model. I have to thank Bikeman.com 'cause without some help, this purchase just would NOT happen.
The plan is to get my good Reba on the Mamasita, the Fox on my Dos Niner and the currently "on the fritz" Reba fixed and then sold. Anyone want to by a Reba Race? ;)
Nothing like a pro photographer catching your son, waiting on his mom while she's in the Porta John. Nice. Real nice.
Later.
Saturday as I rode/walked/puked/cramped/crawled around the race course on my 14th and final lap I told myself that this was the last lap. No regrets. Be done. Be happy with the result. 3 days later I find myself steeped in the "what if's and maybes" of my race.
My big mistake was looking at the final results. I saw that I completed 14 laps in 11:14 and places 6 through 8 had 15 laps but with some significant time gaps ahead of me. Should have I pushed on? What did I f*ck up? Could I have moved up a couple places? How long would #15 have taken me? Given my "state" would it have been dangerous? I mean two of those laps were done while dry heaving clear stomach juice all over my legs. What if? Maybe if?? Grrrr!!
The thing that is the strangest with this racing is how f*cking FAST we (I) forget the pain. I was dry heaving, cramping, bug eyed, and as salty as the rim of a Mad Mex Big Azz Margarita and NOW I sit here wondering if I should have kept going?? What the hell is wrong with me? No, I'm never going to be a "big dog" on the race course, but I KNOW I had the shit to be more competitive that day and f*cked up my hydration/nutrition.
I'm not 100% on how I f*cked up, but I have at least one theory. I was pumping out a TON of sweat. I knew I would. I used my hydration pack filled with varying combinations of Nuun, Zym, or Elixir combined with my "go to" fuel- Universal Carbo Pro Plus mixed to accommodate a 50 oz. bladder. I figured I've done shorter rides with this simplified combo, so I'd use it for the race, suck down some gels and be good to go.
It worked for the calories I needed, but I think that too many carbohydrates were jacking with the osmolality of the drink, taking longer for my body to absorb the much needed water and electrolytes and hydrate my cells properly. Result- dehydration and all the fun shit that comes with it.
In hindsight I should have gone with the Nuun, Zym, Elixir, in the pack and sip my nutrition from the bottle and gels when the course allowed or in the pits. I'm just spit ballin' here, but this is my theory that might help me sleep tonight! HA!
Believe me the irony is NOT lost on me that I've spent the last few month researching sports drinks, but overlooked some key points of hydration combined with calorie intake. I'm so f*cking retarded!! Oh well, there's still MANY more miles to race this season. Enough with the What if's and maybes. Except for THIS ONE! ('cause it ROCKS!).
In better news the Fox F29 is going to be a reality for me soon. Big Al from Bikeman.com ordered it from Fox yesterday, but if Fox doesn't have an 2008 in stock I may have to wait about a month for the 2009 model. I have to thank Bikeman.com 'cause without some help, this purchase just would NOT happen.
The plan is to get my good Reba on the Mamasita, the Fox on my Dos Niner and the currently "on the fritz" Reba fixed and then sold. Anyone want to by a Reba Race? ;)
Finally I leave you with this....
Nothing like a pro photographer catching your son, waiting on his mom while she's in the Porta John. Nice. Real nice.Later.
posted by Jason @ 6:05 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I find that when I am getting a bad gut and know that I am dehydrated, it can help to drink some plain old water to help things settle a bit. I know that the electrolytes should help hydration, but when your gut is unhappy, plain water is the easiest thing to take. Just a thought...
Agreed. Cold water just tastes damn fine many times.
J,
You did a hell of a job, be proud of yourself. But yes, most people (myself included) are the why did I do this/or why did I not do that.
It's the first race of the season, would it have been worth it if you went out for a 15th lap and ended up in the hospital? No, Hell no.
It's the first race, you did well and more importantly you learned key things from it. Put those changes in place and look out boys and girls.
Thanks Travis. That's that R&R week does to me! Too much time on my hands, not enough saddle/cheek time.
That picture is awesome!!!
BTW...good job at the race. A few people have mentioned Carbo Pro to me and I think I want to try it.
Great job for yourself out there! It was a super tough day and hot, and I am definitely feeling the effects of the effort. After a few bottles of energy drink, I just ended up fueling on straight water, homemade energy sweets and strawberries.
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