Vision Quest Report

I decided to go forward with participating in Vision Quest, even though I was still sick. I hadn't become any worse since Thursday thankfully and figured I would give it a shot. I had to change my strategy and treat it more like a glorified training ride than a race.

I stayed over at Georgina's house the night before. We were able to get to sleep by 9PM which really helped.

Wake up was 3:45 AM. A quick breakfast of oatmeal, banana and tea and we were out the door. Arrived at the venue by 4:45AM, got the rest of our gear on, bikes set and headed to the start line by 5:15 AM. The weather was fantastically WARM thanks to the Santa Ana winds (which we would be hating pretty soon into the ride). There was a full moon and there was a great vibe in the air. Around 300 riders lined up. Half were doing the shorter Counting Coup and the rest of us were doing Vision Quest. The race started at 5:30, in the dark, and I was happy to have a nice small, but powerful light (thanks for the recommendation Trevor!). There were some riders who did not have lights and I could tell they were poaching off my light! Reminded me of the nightride where Joy had basically no lights and Matt referred to her as Helen Keller.

I decided that I would just pace myself like a moderate training ride and see how I feel. I could tell I was at about 80% lung capacity yesterday. That typically means my asthma is kicking in. I had to be careful not to get too emotional or worked up during the day. An asthma attack like the one I experienced in Vermont last year is not what I needed! I made it to the first check point in around 2.5 hours after climbing forever, battling the ferocious winds and getting knocked off my bike. I descended Motorway much better than last week. Feeling good, I only stopped quickly at the aid station to get more water. Here is a picture from one of the more friendly sections along Motorway.


The next 2 hours or so was more pure climbing. I found Marius again and we stayed together a bit longer. I started to get into a good tempo along the climb to Santiago Pk, so I just went with it. I have to say putting my cane creek ergonomic bar ends back on the bike was a live saver. They really helped on the long sustained climbs, especially the technical babyhead sections. Next was maybe 30 minutes of descending after all of that climbing! I felt great on the technical descending of Upper and Lower Holy Jim. I was essentially by myself during those sections which was a nice way to experience the trails. When I popped out of Upper Holy Jim, the checkpoint staff commented that "I looked fresh". I had to laugh, and told them that actually I was sick, but appreciated the comment. I guess I just had a good time on those trails!

By the time I made it to Aid station #2, I was just in time to see Pua making her way down the final 5 mile stretch. I still had at least 2 more hours to go. I had to remind myself that I was not racing this, and that even if I was, this is really only my first real endurance event.

The third leg was by far the hardest for me. I had been feeling pretty good for the first 2 legs. I think seeing people finishing the event was making me stress out. I had to remind myself that there were still people at least an hour behind me, and maybe some who would not make the time cutoff. SO i had to feel happy about that. Marius and I met up again and I could tell that we were both suffering. The next 1+ hour included some of the toughest parts of the race . Actually it included the most emotionally draining section: the hike up Horsethief Trail. Not too far into the climb to the base of the hike, I saw Papo coming down lower Trabuco. He looked really good and I imagine he was easily in the top 20 overall (maybe top 10?). I was on and off the bike alot, and getting frustrated. Also my camelback was leaking so I had a slight meltdown. Marius had to tell me "you're allright!". Once we started on the hiking section, I knew it was going to be a long haul. I interacted with a few people along the way, which helped. Once I got to the top, I turned down the offer of a cheeseburger and grabbed a few fig newtons and put my arm warmers back on. I bombed the main divide fireroad and got to the top of Trabuco as fast as I could. I knew I was in the home stretch!!!!!!! Also the guys at the top told me I was 6th place female. I tried to forget that Pua was literally 2 hours ahead of me (it would turn out to be more than that!).

When I got to the top of Trabuco I raised my arms to the aid staff and said "woo hoo! no more climbing!" I descended fast (but safe). When got back to the junction of Horsethief, I said to the next group of aid staff "ALMOST DONE!". I started along a really fun section of technical descent and knew that I was probably 20 minutes from the finish at the most. I must have been getting too comfortable or just too tired because I proceeded to have a pretty hard crash in a very rocky section. I ended up off the side upsidedown with teh bike on me. My knee was bleeding and I scraped my other leg on the calf. I would also discover that I MIGHT have poison oak or something on my behind (NOT GOOD!). I collected myself, tried not to have a melt down. Got back on the bike and continued (a bit slower) . As I passed the aid station, I felt a sigh of relief that all I had left was the 5 mile flat fire road out. No more than 2 minutes into this last section, I realized I had a FLAT TIRE. this was not what I needed. I got off the bike, realized that it was not just something I could pump some air into and proceed. So i had to take the wheel off (it was the REAR) and stuggled due to fatigue and stress to get the tube changed. then all 4 of my air cartriges faiiled. It was as though they had no air in them at all. I was having a melt down at this point, worried I would have to walk 4 miles. A few people slowed down near me, but at this point i basically had larangitis. MARIUS, my savior, stopped and helped me out. His air cartridge failed too, but he had a pump. THANK goodness. Turns out he had a crash too and for both of us it had been a rough day. Marius and I rode to the finish together and were SO happy to see the finish line. We received our Vision Quest feathers and were greeted by friends. This includes MANDY who finished 4th OVERALL in the Counting Coup. WOW, and on a modified cross bike nonetheless.

After being on the bike for 8 hours 45 minutes roughly (flat tire and crash probably cost me a good 15 minutes). I went back to O'Neill Park to meel Greg and Murphy. Georgina finished not too long after that and had her own adventure stories. She met her goal for the day and also rode for a great cause (Trail Angels).

One more highlight of the day was being approached after the finish by another rider. He told me that I helped motivate him. We were together on sections of the hike up Horsethief and he was having a rough time (as was I!). He told me after the race that the times he wanted to quit, he would see that I was still going even being sick. In the end he cut 2 hours off last year's time. He was so happy and shook my hand. Sometimes you never realize the effect you have on other people, even when you are experience pain and suffering of your own!

I also thoroughly enjoyed a double-double cheeseburger, fries and chocolate shake from In-and-Out Burger on the way home! YES!!! Clif Bloks, Fig Newtons and CarbBoom just weren't doing it for me anymore.

We all finished safe and with many memories and stories from VQ itself and our group rides on the course the last few weeks preparing. It was certanly a VISION QUEST to say the least. I thought I was going to lose my vision on the hike-a-bike section ;) Oy vey!