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24 Hours of Adrenalin |
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Written by Mark Logrbrinck
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Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
24 Hours of Adrenalin - Solo/Solo
Hurkey Creek Park
Idyllwild, CA
April 26th & 27th 2008
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I have been mentally preparing for a 24 hour solo for years. I did an 8-hour at Idyllwild last year and was glad I did not pony up for the 24 hour. Chicken and cheap. This year I jumped in both feet first. I was still cheap. I entered early, for only $240. What a deal; $10 an hour. For once the race is more expense than the gas to get there…..do not know if I should be happy or sad.
I could not convince anyone from the team to come up and camp. Too busy I guess. But, even better my best friend Bill, who lives in San Diego, got away for Friday night and stayed till the first lap. His wife was running a half-marathon on Sunday. We headed out on a recommended trail for 4x4’s. Bill had a guide book that showed the trails and gave GPS waypoints. We got a little lost. Surveyors should not get lost. Bill asked which way to go when we were a “little lost”. I pointed forward and Bill asked why. I replied “Because we ain’t gonna get anymore lost”. I threw the book in the back. I pulled out a Delorme map book, from Maine no less. What a difference. We were lost no more. After getting back on track we got to Anza-Borrego State Park. I have never been to Anza-Borrego. It is know for cacti blooms in the spring. We were a little early, but still some early bloomers. We had a blast driving down this desert area designated for 4-wheelin’. After a couple of signs pointing to various areas in the park we arrived at a stone cabin in the desert, Scotty’s Cabin. At first arrival it looks like an abandoned homestead. You realize it is a homestead, but not abandoned. It is a stock hut for use by anybody. It had water, beer, various foods, a bed, and a wood burning stove with firewood. Pretty cool. Bill asked me to pull out the lame guide book. We were at the very destination he wanted to go to. Who needs stupid books anyway; ever try to read a manual? Well as a surveyor I hate bad maps and directions. We head back, stop for a little plinking with his Walther PPK 9mm. It was kind of like “Fear and Loathing” without the LSD.
We got back to the campsite and had more fun with his RC car, performing an “Evil Kenevil” campfire jump. We ate an early dinner, lots of pasta and even some cereal. Bill hits the hay around 9pm. I am soon to follow. The good thing about this particular race was you started at noon. I slept till 7am, late for me. I was trying to remember everything; food, water, tools, Vaseline (works great thanks for the tip RJ), sunscreen, everything you will need now and later. I fill bottles with various HEED products, tape GU to the bike, check air pressure, lighten my Camel-Back (Bill’s idea)….I knew I was gonna’ forget something. Oh well I had a day to remember.
The day was beautiful not too hot, not too cold, some wind (more on this later) and finally no snow. I guess all 24-hour races start with a run. Seems to thin the field….well it thins me out. I walk…got all the time in the world. I am not going to set any land speed records here. I just wanted to survive for the day. The first lap was not bad. Bill waited for me, to say goodbye. I was officially on my own. Second lap a little warmer but tolerable. Third lap the warmest yet not too bad still. Legs felt good, bum was doing great, back only hurt when I forgot the Motrin, arms and shoulders good, stomach is good…all and all pretty ok. The following laps 4 through 6 were mere survival, though my legs still felt good. Finished my 6th lap at midnight, with drunk ladies saying “walk it off, walk it off”, yeah right. Pretty funny I have to admit. I got to camp, turned on some lights, built a fire, cooked dinner and finally hit the hay at 1:00 am. I got up at around 6:00 am and headed out again. I lasted three more laps. I finally fell apart on the last, nine; I was pushing the hills and started to dry heave on the last climb/hike. I was just trying to finish my lap, when a member of team 911, the EMT team was kind of hanging with me. They ride for free and help people in need. I guess I was the worst thing he had seen in a while. After letting him know several times I was ok, he finally sees I am and leaves me to my misery. This misery does not love company.
The race was fun I pushed myself harder than ever. The worst thing was my lips, no balm and it was windy the whole 24 hours. A recipe for disaster. I would do it again in a heartbeat or maybe several months. Maybe the next time I can last the full 24. Having someone there would have been helpful. I will not say I won’t do it again….. that is solo/solo.
Tex
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