Wilderness 101

As I continued to climb and climb the cold mountain air freezing my lungs I wondered for how much longer it would be till I reached the top of the torrential path I was on. It felt like it was never going to end.
Well it all started when I heard about this 101 mile endurance mountain bike race in Coburn Park, Pennsylvania. I was not able to run cause of my left ankle so no run goal was present, but for some reason I could bike without much of a problem. I probably should have took it easy but I went ahead and signed up for this mountain bike endeavor hoping my ankle would be 100% by the time race day came around. It was close. I learned a lot about mountain biking from my short “training” program. First of all due to mechanicals and lack of motivation and ankle issues I didn’t train anywhere near what you need to in order to finish. In fact the race was the longest time I have spent on my mountain bike ever. I learned a lot about patience, I hope, from the art of mountain bike maintenance.
When the race got closer I started to change my goal and maybe just do some local trails or the like. NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH SELF. I told my mom about the 101 and asked if she wanted to go just to change it up. Something different. She could volunteer and I thought that would be fun for her as well.
After figuring it all out…just kidding. Nothing was figured or planned for this trip. It was very fast planning cause like I said I lost my motivation to do it.
My dad dropped my mom off at my job Friday July 30, 2010. I was sleeping in the car around 12:30-1:30 because I went to work super early to get out early. I awoke to the sound of my mom and dad conversing about my sleeping in the car. They parked right next to me. After some greetings, coffee, and pee breaks my mom and I were off. Sheila also came for the ride to try and led the way. The ride was exciting and fun, not knowing what was in store for the weekend’s adventure. We drove a good distance then got some more coffee and ate our awesome salads and hard boiled eggs (thanks dad). One of the best parts about going away on trips is the coffee during the long drives! My mom and I talked the whole way there never even turning on the radio. It took around 7 + hours to get there cause of the weird summer construction traffic. It was fine however since we were in no rush. I told sheila to take us to the elk aleworks Pub cause that was the only address I knew near Coburn Park, where the race started and finished. We got to the café and asked the closest person, “are you a biker and where do we go to register.” Of course he was and told us where we needed to go. The town was so small that chances are you were there for the race.
Coburn Park was about two miles up the road. It was dark so we almost missed it. When we entered the park we drove around looking for some source of light among all the tents and people. Being so dark and no light it was a little scary thinking I might run over someone or something. We finally parked it next to some older gentleman who after talking to and me getting in a picture with, I found out he was the photographer for the race. So we registered me as a participant and my mom as a volunteer. We got back to the car and ATE! Also had a little of Tuscano 2006 red. We walked around a little taking it all in while having some wine. It was so extremely quiet and peaceful up there. You would think with all the people it would be a party. So we finally settled down and crashed for the night. Well, my mom slept at least. I didn’t sleep even with the wine. I think I was too excited (always happens). I also got up to pee around four times just because I couldn’t sleep. I also got up fours times to pee just to give me an excuse to look up at the night sky. I never saw so many stars and so clearly seen. I felt like Abraham looking at the stars. Being that we increased elevation and that there is no light around it was surely the most beautiful night sky I have ever seen so far. It was the highlight of the trip for me.
The next morning I got up early, set up the bike and hopped on to test it out and proceeded to immediately slip on the loose gravel falling on the ground; it was going to be a long day. After reorganizing myself I went and grabbed two cups of coffee, one for me and one for my mom cause there was only enough for 200 people when 300 people entered the race. After people started waking up we made our way over to breakfast. I had the muffins I brought with fruit. (Trader Joes pomegranate bran, so good!!!!)
So the gun went off and we were on our way. I started in the back because I really wasn’t racing. My goal was to make it to the second aid station @ mile 40. This was where my mom was volunteering. Due to the elevation change, cold morning air, lack of training, I just wanted to get to the first one. It was also a straight climb for miles. I loved it! For the first 20 miles it was mostly gravel fire roads. Once I reached aid station #1 I chatted a bit, took some pictures with the volunteers and was off again, finally getting use to the mountain air. The very first downhill stretch I saw 2 guys that crashed. I stopped and offered help. I offered help and shouts of encouragement to everyone. On my way to aid station # 2 I talked with a bunch of people about a range of things. One lady had so many GU packets that I stopped counting them. Once I got there I went over to the table and ate 2 chocolate chip cookies to start. I think I only had a hammer gel and GU besides water and Gatorade. (Hammer gels are amazing!) So after inhaling the cookies I looked for my mom. Who, after much debt and confusion found out she had no chose but to go to aid station # 4. I thought she went back to the Coburn. So after being torn (I wanted to continue but did the smart thing and pulled a DNF) I really wanted to go more but cause of my ankle, I declined. I also thought my mom was waiting @ Coburn.
Mat and his little Honda Civic (my sag wagon) dropped me back off at Coburn. I found out, finally, that my mom was actually at aid station number 4. So after being denied food due to the fact it wasn’t ready yet I drove to aid station 4 to pick up my mom. I was a little annoyed about the lack of speed and sense of the race directors and everything that was happening. I was also starving… that might have been it. But then I meditated on all the fun I was having and all the positive aspects of the trip that even this whole situation turned from a negative to a positive. It’s all about how you view things, everyone’s beers should be half full. It’s of interest to note that upon arrival at aid station 4, I saw my mom with a walkie talkie. She was calling out orders and also the numbers of the bikers who were making their way through. It was very upsetting to know they had Swedish fish at this aid station. If I would have known that I would have definitely pushed it and kept riding and made it there. When we finally arrived back at Coburn after I stole the apparently nominated race director (my mom), we received our beer and food. Best beer ever and the glass was all the way full :). A bonus was that they also had hummus!
After having seconds we walked around by the river across the field and hung out before we finally set off for the trip home. In my opinion, not knowing what to expect made this trip much better than a planned one. It gives a sense of adventure (…on a plane with no plan right now. lol) I plan on doing this 101 adventure every year but don’t think it will be the same as this first time. I guess I will just have to wait and see.
The Beginning of anything is always the hardest but afterwards I am always glad I put forth the needed effort. Don’t get tired, it’s all in your head. Were always going to be tired if we keep telling ourselves that. Tell yourself you’re not tired and it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. You can do more than you think. Do something crazy and you will see it’s possible for you to complete the task. Effort is all you need. This 101 endeavor was a tiresome weekend but worth the effort and memories. Mountain biking is awesome, period. It helps you to improve upon ‘control’. We all need to maintain control in our lives. Not letting things, (or in the case of mountain biking, obstacles’) or people (other riders) control you. RIDE YOUR BIKE. Don’t let it ride you. Don’t let injury, pain, or the trials you face let the negative into you. Once you fall off the bike (and we all fall) get back on, learn from the fall and continue riding.
-Barton-