Life Time Fitness - Leadville Race Series

Jane Meneely
Finish time: 08:04:29
Fastest lap: 1st 01:54:15
From: Phoenix, AZ
Cred: Local legend and cycling ambassador who pretty much wins everything she enters
Barn Burner 104: 8:04:29 -- 1:54:15, 1:57:16, 2:04:55, 2:08:02

How's the recovery coming? Anything that still hurts?
Feeling pretty good. Mostly tired with some minor aches and pains. My husband and I enjoyed a couple extra days in Flagstaff relaxing and eating some of my favorite recovery foods: hamburger, fries and a chocolate milkshake!

You beat the record set last year by about 17 minutes. What was your goal for this race? How did you feel on race morning?
I had a goal of around eight-and-a-half hours, yet wasn't sure if this was realistic. This was my first 100-mile mountain bike race, and even though I've been doing long training rides, I just wasn't sure how it would all come together. I had concerns on race morning about getting in nutrition while on the bike, so I laid out a large selection of foods at our feed zone (the variety was actually quite comical). I was pleased with my first and second lap. I slowed down on the 3rd and 4th but it wasn't too significant. Hydration and eating went well and I give two thumbs up for chicken and stars soup, which was my favorite food boost at our support table. I'm really happy with how the day went!

You've done Barn Burner before on a team, so how was it to make the switch to solo?
I did Barn Burner last year on a women's duo team. It was a blast but different than riding solo. Duo team approach is to go all out on your lap, take a break and then do it one more time as fast as you can. You get some time to relax and cheer on your friends. It's really fun! My solo approach was pace, hydrate and eat. I didn't want to bonk. Huge kudos to friends for helping me out as I came through transition!
 

Did you ever have a moment of meltdown on the course when you thought, “Forget Leadville!”? How did you recover?
How did you know? I definitely had those thoughts! This was a hard day with dusty conditions, tough climbs and rocky descents. Sometimes the pain in my back and my burning toes made me wonder if I'm tough enough for this and ultimately Leadville. Somehow you dig deep, get through those moments and you're having fun again. When the race is done you forget the negatives and are stoked about the adventure you just endured. In a strange way it's just cool to be out there suffering with everyone. I think those who do these events get that.
 
Did you have a favorite lap?
The last one! It was probably my most painful lap but I was so excited knowing that the finish was near!

What is your training going to look like during the next two months? Did you find any chinks in your endurance or preparation that you plan to work on as Leadville approaches?
Planning to do LONG rides with a lot of hills. It's going to be challenging to train in Phoenix during the hot summer so we'll just start really early! My husband (who is also doing Leadville this year) and I are thrilled to be heading to Colorado to participate in this epic race. We've never been to Leadville, have heard so much about it, watched the movie "Race Across the Sky," and now we get the chance to do more than we think can!