Hanson Hills 100 May 24, 2014

   Hanson Hills 100 has been a race that I have been wanting to do for the past few years. Before this race I have never done a century on a bicycle. It has been another thing that I have been wanting to do but for some reason just never got myself to do one. Most people do their first century on a road bike but I like to think of myself as one of the crazy people who go against this and do their first century on a mountain bike.

   Going into this race I knew my training was not targeted toward the longer races. My main focus is the shorter type xc mountain bike races that are typically full sprints. I had two weeks between the race in Brighton, Mi and Hanson Hills 100, so I spent this time riding longer and doing my typical hill work through out the week. Of course 2 weeks isn't enough time to switch the training program to fit for an much longer race but I really didn't care how things went. My main goal was to finish and enjoy the experience.

  This race held a special twist specifically for me because it just happened to fall on my 22nd birthday. My sister and niece came up to Grayling, Mi the night before and we shared a hotel room. Since my parents were not going to get to the race till after I had already done about half of the race, I needed my sister there to help out with the pit station at the end of each 24.5 mile lap.

  The morning of the race was an early start. I woke up about 4:30am to make some breakfast, shower and get stuff back in the cars. Since we had 2 different cars we had to drive to Hanson Hills Rec. area to drop off my sister's car then drive back into town for the start. The weather was pretty cold at the 7am start. Knowing that it was going to get warmer throughout the day I dressed light and put on some arm sleeves and full fingered gloves. As the race took off down through Grayling for the 1.5 mile roll out the pack stayed together at a reasonable pace. Once the group got into the Hanson Hill Rec area it started to spread out. We rode past the finish line to start the first official lap of this 4 lap race. This race included riders doing the 50 mile and 100 mile race. Once getting to the single track the group rode wheel to wheel for about 4 or 5 miles. Riders started to separate as the trail increased in difficulty. I tried holding back and tried to find an easy, relaxed pace. I'm not a fan of riding behind people in single track so I made a few moves on some climbs and got into some clear traffic and started picking people off. I got into a group and then settled into a solid pace. Since the laps consisted of mainly single track it was easy to get into a zone and just ride. I found myself forgetting I was racing and thinking that everyone was out for a trail ride.

   The first lap came and went fairly smooth. I felt great and I thought I was controlling my food and water intake. About half way through lap 2 mother nature decided she was going to get hot. Within a few hours the temperature raised over 15 degrees F. The group I was riding with on the first lap started to fall apart throughout the second lap and I ended up riding solo at mile 40. After lap 2 I started to feel the torture that I was putting my body through. I grabbed a piece of bread and switched out a bottle of Hammer Perpetuem for a bottle of Heed at the end of lap 2 and continued onto lap 3. By this time my parents showed up.

   Lap 3 proved to be my hardest lap. I started getting muscle spasms on the inner part of my upper legs and I started to cramp up a little. The heat was still increasing and after about 60 mile the water in my camelbak was hot. I had to dump it out and get it filled at the aid station part way through the laps. I really struggled on this lap. I tried to stay calm and just kept focus at the job at hand. I knew if I can get into the 4th lap then I could be fine and finish the race.

   Before starting lap 4 I took a quick break while my mom filled my camelbak with ice and water. She also put ice into a bottle of Perpetuem. I grabbed a peanut butter wrap and a few frozen Hammer Gels. Lap 4 was no better than lap 3 as far as pace but I felt slightly better. I stopped at the far aid station for my 4th banana and a few sips of Coke. This aid station was about 15 miles to the finish. The last 15 miles seemed so long.

  I came across the line with a time of 8:55:35 for 100 miles. It was not the goal of sub 8:30:00 I was hoping for but I can't be to upset considering this was my first century. I was happy I finished. As soon as I crossed the line I got off the bike, handed it to my mom and walked over to sit in the shade. My sister ran over and gave me a beer. It wasn't good but the fact that it was cold was all that mattered. I was the only one in Male 29 and Under age group. I hate winning this way but I'll take it.

  Overall this race was fun. I took three items off my bucket list (1.Ride a century, 2. Race Hanson Hills 100, 3. Win a race on my birthday). I learned a lot about these longer races. I still prefer the shorter races and that is where I will keep my focus for now. I'm happy that I can say that I did a century on a mountain bike before doing one on a road bike. I will probably do one again but I don't see one in the near future.

I couldn't do this without the thanks to those who help me
-My sister, She was so supportive and got my everything I needed for this long day
-My parents, They have always been there and they helped so much with everything
-Breakway Bicycles of Muskegon
-Hammer Nutrition
-Crank Brothers
-Jason Luther, thanks for the tips on this race

-The man above, Thanks for keeping me safe and healthy through this new experience