Big Frog 65 Report..

[Ross D]

Saturday I did my first endurance event that was over 65 miles.. I haven't been training nearly as much as I should and while I'd ridden these trails a few times in the past at the Black Bear Rampage which is a 40 mile event, I knew 65 would be a chore for sure.. I ended up camping in the parking lot and sleeping in my car (Subaru wagons rock) .. Needless to say it got a lot colder than I anticipated and I froze my ass off all night.. Woke up at 6 the morning of and my legs were killing me from the tension of shivering.. Temp was about 48 degrees, so normally arm warmers, vest and knee warmers would've been the call, but it was supposed to be 80 later in the day.. I opted for vest and arm warmers.. Needless to say after the first climb I realized I made the right choice. By mile 10, I was ready to shed the vest and by mile 20 the arm warmers came off.. Single track was in perfect shape and I made a plan to take a gel every 45 min. drink a sip every 15 min and the enduralites every hour.. I HAD to stay with this plan as dehydration is your worst enemy along with your mind...

After 20 miles of single track we hit fire roads.. Easy cheesy right? Well, not so much, the hills are relenting and just came one after another.. Needless to say my 36 was my best friend.. I simply just paced myself from start to finish and stayed positive.. If you're around someone that's in the (dark zone), it's best to get away from them as they will totally screw you up.. My GPS actually shut off a couple of times as I guess I was going to slow for it to track.. LOL... The forest service roads were so much harder than the single track.. The last seven miles is all single track minus 1/2 mile of pavement at the end.. This single track was very technical and rough.. I was just wide open at this point as the emotion and thought of finishing were over whelming.. With about 2 miles to go just like Fools Gold the year before Jeremiah Bishop passed me as the leader of the Cohutta 100.. Pretty humbling to say the least. When I crossed the line he was standing there chatting it up like he'd just been on a Sunday stroll.. Great guy, he came up to me, congratulated me and thanked me for moving over on the single track.. He said I'd be amazed at how many guys make it hard on the leaders..

Great event.. They had a dinner before, and lunch afterward.. GREAT volunteers, cool participation souvenir (stem) and a cool mug for finishing...

I started the day being happy if I could just get in 50 miles as I have not trained anything like I should've with my longest ride being Southern Cross and Dustin's ride last month..

I finished strong and can't wait to do it again and I encourage each of you to give it a whirl...

Oh, another big deal is after race rehydration.. Pediolite!! That stuff is the bomb!!

Thanks for reading...

[dgaddis1]

Good job Ross! What was your finishing time?

I did that race a few years ago and had a terrible day, it was the first warm ride of the year (about 15*F warmer than I had been riding in) and I bonked super hard and it took me over 9hrs to finish. I'd like to get up there and do it again, maybe next year!

[Ross D]

I think it was 7:20.. My actually ride time was a little over 6 hours... Yeah, it got warm and that became an issue for a lot of people including myself.. Key was electrolites, drinking and eating..

[brianW]

Ross, the 15 minute drink, 45 minute gel and hour endurolyte (which one do you use) works well? Did you eat any solid food? Nutrition/hydration is my killer for long rides.

[dgaddis1]

Apr 28, 2014 18:05:26 GMT -5 brianW said:

Ross, the 15 minute drink, 45 minute gel and hour endurolyte (which one do you use) works well? Did you eat any solid food? Nutrition/hydration is my killer for long rides.

That's similar to what I do. I down gel (or something) every 45mins, and a bottle an hour. I've never been able to do the endurolyte capsules/pills, I'm certain I'd choke to death on them. I prefer gel to solid food, but after about the 4hr mark I'm really sick of gel and start mixing in some solid food too. I like the gummy chew stuff...I try to avoid a lot of truly solid food, it doesn't sit well with my stomach.

[kconner]

Apr 28, 2014 18:05:26 GMT -5 brianW said:

Ross, the 15 minute drink, 45 minute gel and hour endurolyte (which one do you use) works well? Did you eat any solid food? Nutrition/hydration is my killer for long rides.

When I do long rides (long for me lol), I'll eat as needed, typically 30-45 minutes. Gels and gummies for me, but I like to do real food every once in a while....I had small crunchy peanut butter sandwiches waiting for me at the SAG for the 51ster ride, just to mix it up. For fluid, I love me some Tailwind....that stuff works wonders, I highly recommend it. I'll do a hydration pack bladder full of Tailwind, and sip as needed. If I'm feeling froggy, I'll carry a bottle of plain old water (in addition to the hydro pack) just for a different flavor.

[Ross D]

Brian, I had maybe a handful of corn chips and a few jelly beans... Other than that, I had I think a few peanuts..