|   24 Hrs @ McDowell Race Report | Carter Taylor--
Apr 9, 2003 8:48 AM | | Left Brawley Friday morning with my wife (nutritionist and medical duties), Wayne (director sportif) and Dave (1st timer in the solo division) and headed to Phoenix Az for the McDowell race.
We arrived and preran the course, it was the same as last year. You were either going up or down. If there was flat section, there was usually a headwind. Also more than enough rocks to go around.
Game plan: I was concerned about my early season form at Tucson a month ago, particularly my strength. I could not hold as fast of a pace there that I thought I should of been able to. My plan for this race was to break the race into four six hour blocks. The first block I would do six laps, the second I would do five, the third I would ride a very conservative four laps and eat alot to recover or save some energy for a kick in the last block.
The Race: Early in the race I found that there wasn't any way I was going to stay close to the leaders on lap times. I had to make sure I stayed with my game plan and hopefully caught some of them sleeping.
I knew I was giving up three to four minutes a lap if not more to Alex on his rigid singlespeed and there wasn't anything I could do about it. (Alex broke three chains during the race by the way and got sick during the night)
First Block: six laps in 5:54, felt comfortable but had to control my emotion. I kept wanting to go harder, but alas, better since won out and I stook to my game plan.
Second block: my 11th lap in 11:53, I love this portion of the night, I call it the magic hour. Also it is an equalizer. Had some lighting problems but my crew handled it fine.
Third Block: four more laps by 5:33 AM, there must of been three hours that I never saw another solo rider. My Director Sportif even told me that I was solo leader for about three minutes in the wee hours of the morning while the real solo leader had to repair a tire, then he blew by me like I was standind still. I was told he kept an eye on me as I left. These three minutes have to be the highlite of my whole cycling career. So my game plan seemed to be working, I had caught many of them sleeping I assumed.
In the back of my mind I knew that as soon as some of the big guys woke up and started clicking off fifty minute loops, they could take a loop back every two and a half loops. It was a motivator on the course for me, doing the arithmatic in my head while riding. One thing I forgot to mention, I do not want to know where I'm at in a race till mid morning. Because if I think I'm doing well and feel good, but I find out I'm not doing to good results wise, I can lose motivation instantly.
Fourth Block: took the only break between 5:33 till about 6:45. I set in a chair naked in front of mister heater taking a sponge bath and eating regular food. I do not think I offended anybody except my wife, I believe nobody saw me.
Before the start of my 18th lap, my director sportif told me I was in fourth and the guy in third had just left. I started my lap and caught the guy fairly quickly at the start, it looked like he was struggling a bit. Upon passing him, a rush of adrenaline took over and I just hammered that lap to put more time on him. At this point I'm thinking I might have my first podium. On my 19th lap a friend told me that the director sportif had miscaculated and I was actually in fifth. They were worried that it my bother me or cause depression or something I guess. At that point I did not care about results anymore anyway, my purpose was to get the 19th and 20th lap in, I was racing strictly for myself at this point.
Finished the 20th lap at 12:30 officially in 5th. Probably my best race ever, even better than my 4rth last September at Idyllwild.
Yea there were times I struggled. There were times I hurt so bad from the rough beating taken in the rocks. There were times I thought I might throw up during the third block. There were times I wanted to go faster but couldn't make my legs go. But what made it so sucessfull then? it was not giving up, working all the way to the end, doing the extra lap even though I didn't have to.
I also would like to thank all the other racers, volunteers and spectators, you were all awesome. I really appreciate the consideration from the other riders out there and your encouragement.
My racing season is over till the World's in August. Solo events take alot out of this 42 year old body so I plan to back off some, but I could be available for a team event if anybody needs a rider.
cya all,
Carter
Alex and Kathleen
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