FIELD REPORT: 2014 Outlaw 100 Miles; Day1561/Year4.2

October 12, 2014 2 Comments

I’m on chapter 10 of the book called Thinking, Fast and Slow [google search] and I had a dilemma at the start of the Outlaw 100. Notice also that I’ve studied MLA [Myopic Loss Aversion] lately and was able to understand why people are “risk averse”, aversion is “a feeling of in intense dislike”. We tend to avoid risks most of the time. We have this “comfort zone” and we love to stay there for as long as we want to. “Hey, I just wanted to play/be safe”, those are our normal comments when facing an ordeal or a critical decision opportunity.

Please click the two links that I mentioned above and dwell on the subject for a long while and try to understand System1 and System2. You can get the paperback copy of the book from Amazon for $9.99. I would say that I wish I’ve known the subject when I was in my 20’s. Being 48 is not too late yet, so I must start fighting MLA now – whatever it takes and whatever is the subject.

Back to my Outlaw 100 topic, I’ve trained all year for this event, I’ve done 56miles bike ride every week and had been primed to continue the tradition of doing 100 Miles every year as part of my heart recovery program. For those of you who don’t me yet, I became a cardiac patient in December of 2008, I was 42 when I had my heart attack, that was my Stent#1, Stent#2 followed in July of 2010, and it’s been Day 1561 since my trip to the cardiac cath lab in 2010. I was already a very active cyclist and swimmer years before the cardiac event happened. I thought at first that being a cardiac patient will cripple my mind to avoid doing what I love – cycling, swimming and occasionally running. But then the trend became opposite of what I expected. I became a risk taker. I figured out that I’m already considered as “damaged good” and there is no other way but “up” in my situation. If I stay in bed/home all day and be safe, what is the value to that? But…what if I do something opposite and take all the risks that I’m presented to, what do you think will happen? This is the story of my life.

Disclaimer: Please do not mimic my actions. ;-( )

Dilemma at the start of the Outlaw 100:
1. Heavy rains and lightning at 0800, the start of the ride.
2. Outlaw 100 sponsor hinting the participants of a delayed start at 10pm and possibly cancel the event.
3. I had 2 water bottles to last 100 miles
4. I had 3 clif bars and 3 powergels to feed myself of the entire 100 miles journey

My decision:
1. Start at 0830 solo ride
2. Face the heavy rain and possible lightning
3. Conserve food and water for 100 miles [roughly 7-8 hours]

Outcome:
1. Finished the 100 miles solo ride safely
2. Satisfaction of doing the 100 miles solo, the event was cancelled, I did not know this until my arrival at the finish line at 1600, no one was there.

Conclusion:
1. Take risk sometimes, you will never know the outcome until you get out from your comfort zone. The rain stopped pouring on the second hour, which made the ride so enjoyable because of the cooler temperature and very gentle wind speed.

2. Don’t over think the situation. If your objective of the day is finish the 100 miles, do it anyway even if the whole world is against you.

3. Patience and persistence is a must have when placed in a difficult situation. Press on no matter what. The greatest mistake one can make – giving up.

Detailed Field Report

DATE: 20141011
DURATION: 7hours and 51 Minutes
WHO: Me
WHAT: 2014 Outlaw 100 Bike Ride [view info]
WHERE: Start/Finish Old Settler Park, Round Rock, TX USA.
HOW: By Bike
Total Miles=103 Miles
Average Speed=14.0 mph
Total Time= 8hours [computer]
Total Time on the road= hours [stopwatch]
Gatorade Consumed= 4 bottles
Clif Bar consumed=3
Power Gel consumed=3
Cups of pickle juice=NONE [event was cancelled, no refreshment at rest stops
No. of flat tires=NONE
No. of accidents=NONE
Muscle Cramps=NONE
Chest Pain=NONE
Raindrops=First hour heavy downpour
Post Ride Meal=bagel and coffee
Average Heart Rate= 115
Maximum Heart Rate= 140
BP before the ride=150/95, 50 bpm
BP after the ride=105/65, 68 bpm
Days after Myocardial Infarction [Stent #1]-2116 days/5.8 years [20081222]
Days after Stent #2-1561 days/4.2 years [20100702]
Temperature=65’F

TIMELINE:
0500, End of Sleep,
0505, Pasta breakfast; Bagel, coffee
0715, Leave the house
0830, Mile 0, start of 100 Miles Bike Ride [I left at 0830, event was cancelled, solo ride for 100 miles]
0900, Mile15
1000, Mile 30
1100, Mile 45
1300, Mile 60
1400, Mile 75
1500, Mile 90
1600, Mile 100
1700, Nap
2000, Read
2400, Sleep

2014 Outlaw100 Ride Full Map [view map in pdf]
SwimBikeRun.xlsx
mapmyride

Related Posts:
cardiac-notes
rosedale
outlaw100

Notes/Pictures
Weather in Round Rock, 20141011, Raining at 0500