For the record, Everesting has been on my schedule since the end of April, with a GO date of 5/30 well BEFORE it hit the big time! After the 5/4/24 run challenge, I was ready for another one, I wanted to aim for 4/4/48 (run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours) on 5/30, but coach put the kibosh suggested I focus on the bike for a month. Ok, let me think, 2 hours later, Everesting was on my schedule.
I knew very little of what this actually was, but when you
google epic cycling challenges, it pops right up.
What is it?
Simply stated, “Everesting” is climbing the elevation of
Mount Everest - 29,029 ft / 8848m - on your bike, in a single activity. Breaks
are fine, but no sleeping is allowed. This outing typically requires well close
to 200 miles of cycling, and upwards of 15 hours to complete. I had to
acknowledge with only a few weeks to prepare; this may be unattainable. In wanting to “share” this experience, it
made sense to develop intermediate goals that put this challenge within reach
for everyone. The Half and Everest are
the 2 recognized events.
Quarter Everest - 7257 ft / 2212 m
Half Everest - 14,415 / 4424
Base Camp - 17,700 / 5380
Camp I - 19,900 / 6065
Camp II - 21,300 / 6500
Camp III - 24,500 / 7470
Camp IV - 26,000 / 7920
Everest - 29,029 / 8848
The ride must be executed as repeats of a single climb. You must go from the bottom to the top of the
climb for each repeat. You must descend the same hill you climbed - no
loops.
Of course, when I read about this, I was all in for the FULL
29,029, and then I started to drill down, do research, and really understand
the feat that this is. After my first
big training day 3 weeks ago, I decided 20,000 was my goal. 5K more than I had climbed in one day previously
and a substantial accomplishment. Until John
commented, “Wow, that seems like ½ ass, not
really doing it all. I mean Julies, you
were going to do Ultraman, who not do all of this?” I went into a defensive rage calmly
responded, it's not the same, its not a race? How can I go deep into the well,
that dark place of pain and suffering without a # on my back? We argued, and I stormed out, cue the 5
bananas. Upon further speculation and
personal guilt-tripping I knew I had to commit to the full.
37 ½ laps of San Elijo – 175 miles = 29,029 feet
I made a pact with 2 others, NFQ! Larua will be in Golden and Alison on her
trainer, but we are going ot get this done.
I am scared, excited, on the edge, eager to go, wishing I had a month to
train, nervous, hungry, tired, excited all at the same time.
I don’t take failure lightly…. In fact, I don’t fail, but
this is daunting!
Go time is 4am on Sat 5/30!
I think this will be a 16 -18-hour effort.
Many of my athletes have set big goals
from ¼ to 20,000feet. Each of those
goals is daunting and I know they will be far out of their comfort zone trying to
reach their goals. My BFF will be out there
until I finish, offering to help with whatever crazy food craving I have! I have another friend willing to start at 1pm
and do the back ½ with me! I am blessed to have the support out there….
This is race week!!!
Rest, carbs, mobility…
