Arizona State Road Race Championship
http://www.wmrc.org/azstaterr
44miles...
Two hours and 47 minutes...
burned 2000 calories...
drank 140oz of water...
3,376 ft elevation gain...
avg temp 102.9 °F...
max speed 43mph
I've never seen so many cyclists taken out by ambulance, puke while still on the bike, and pass out while still clipped in. It was an incredible sufferfest with MANY DNFs. It was a challenging and beautiful course...it would have been amazing in COOLER temperatures. I've never pushed my body so far and I'm not sure I'd push that hard again. After the event I kept getting goosebumps, the shakes, and was freezing cold. I was so cold I had to put a jacket on and sit in the sun. One of our teammates was driving the course giving us water and wet towels...what a lifesaver! There was only one feed zone...NOT enough in 100+ temps in the middle of the desert. At one point my Garmin said it was 113degrees. Ridiculous!
Amazingly...I actually finished (covered in sweat and salt)! There were 5 DNFs in my category. It was a dangerous race and I sure hope that next year the event promoters consider the fact that we live in a freaking desert that is HOT. I don't remember everything...I kinda spaced out the last 11miles...I have some memories of it (calling my friends who came to work the feed zone to drive some water to me)...I don't remember getting from the finish line to my truck/getting off my bike.
Our teams (the guys/girls) had amazing support from my friend Lori and Andy (cyclist out with an injury)...we couldn't have done it without them!
This fall I plan on driving out to Skull Valley (very appropriately named) and doing the course again...when it's below 80degrees.
