A little report from the ladies in CA about the two day Everest Challenge
"The conditions were rough - altitude was tough, temperatures were all over the place - we'd start at 40 and end the day at close to 100. First day was mega - I had a hard time getting fluids in to begin coz of temp and the heights we were getting to and then paid for it big time at around mile 95 - cramps in leg muscles that I didn't know I had. We'd planned to stick together for the first two climbs - and once we'd experienced the descents and realized that to be truely competitive we needed to practice descending on longer climbs than 2miles we decided to enjoy the experience rather than kill ourselves. So - Rach was really strong on the last climb - all 20odd miles of it - it went on and on and on. Really steep at the last mile or two .....but we made it and man what a view when we got up there. Then of course we had to come down - it's amazing how far we climbed and I'm sure we shall be in forever shock that we made it up there.
day 2 - two 8 mile climbs - stepper than yesterday and we were awesome - reeling folk in and really strong - you'd have been proud - of course we then took breaks and long ones sometimes at the top to rehydrate and eat as didn't want the day 1's experience to happen again. Rach had a slight melt down at climb 2 but then realized we only had one more climb to do. But what a f'ing climb it was. Up, up and away - 10,000feet switchback, black top in the canyon and hot as heck, then more switchbacks that were mega steep - this time it was my time to encourage Rach - we were tough !!! We crossed the line together, attached at the hip the whole way !
Thanks to you Coach - we made it, survived it and felt really proud of ourselves coming from the east coast with no idea of what we were getting ourselves into .
What's next ? Off season right ? Let me know what you're thinking - guess I need to come up with some goals.
Gotta work this sat so no mtb clinic for me but sounds like fun - will definitely be up for the training camps - April for sure will have to swing feb but know it would be an awesome training week especially if I want to start of with Battenkill next year."
Thanks Ruthie for the quick wrap up and congrats to you and Rach for conquering Everest and making it through a long season to meet this goal. What a crazy challenge (and one that I might have to try myself in the future as it sounds pretty awesome) Yes, off season...but maybe Iron Cross first if we can find her a bike!
