Masters Men

Master Men Cyclist Dave Stebbins Talks 24-HR National Challenge

June 11th, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

The 24-hr National Challenge has taken place every Father’s Day since 1983. According to the website, it’s a race to test both endurance and determination. Cyclists come from all over the world to participate. Athletic Mentors took the time to talk with Team OAM NOW Masters Men Cyclist and 2005 winner Dave Stebbins.

AM: In addition to the 2005 National 24 HR Challenge Middleville MI win with 477.7 miles, you also came in first in your age group in 2013 with 401.1 miles. What’s your goal for this year’s race?

DS:photo 1 Last year’s race had a 2 hour 47 minute thunder storm delay from 1:15 am until just after 4 am, so everyone’s miles were down last year. This year will be my 11th 24-hour race . I have finished 2nd overall 4 times and 1st in 2005. This year, my goal is the same as each year I’ve competed:
1. Train to the best of my ability.
2. Ride my own race.
3. Stay on the bike for 24 hrs, stop only at check points, and monitor both nutrition and liquids.
4. Be totally prepared for the unexpected.
5. Just to stress it: stay on the bike and do not stop.

AM: Why the 24 Hr challenge? Why this race? What brings you back to it year after year?

DS: Glenn Dik, also on our team [and also racing this year], is why. He did 10 of these before my 1st one and is 6th overall on the all-time miles list. I like to do this race because it is local. It may not be the biggest, but it’s by far the hardest thing I have ever done. So many Ironman Triathletes talk about the full Ironman to which I say challenge yourself; try the 24-hr. At least the Ironman competitor gets to go and sleep after the race. 24-hr speaks for itself. The personal challenge of fighting with mother nature (age) and seeing how we can stay moving on the bike for 24hrs keeps me coming back every few years.

AM: What surprised you the first time? Anything that still surprises you?

DS: The first one I did, honestly, I rode 366 miles. I was surprised by what the leaders did…they road 470. I just stuck with it. In 2005, I did 477.7. That first year, I was in awe that they put 100 miles on me. I was new so I stopped a lot, but I was so impressed by them and by what the human body can do when we push it.

AM: How do you prepare/train for this race? How long? Any particular training strategies (ones that you’d care to share?)

DS: Strength training. Cross-training: run, swim, cycle (a lot). Recovery, nutrition, and rest are equally important. Train, eat, sleep, recover. Repeat. So much of this, and racing, is mental. I keep things positive, and training one’s self to do that is crucial. I train my mind as hard as I train my body. I’m going to use this word, tired, but I don’t feel it. I tell myself I am not going to get tired. When tired comes, or fatigue, just the word in my head, I literally see a stop sign that says no, that’s not going to happen. I think about the hiker who got trapped, who cut his arm off, Aron Ralston. How did he ever get himself out? How did he eat? I’m on a bike; I have food. How did he do that? If he could do that…if he can survive that, I can do this. I use the willpower of others to get through my hard times. I’ve learned what the mind is capable of doing when you train it to survive and achieve. I do a lot of training, but really, it is both physical and mental and both are equally important.

AM: I think a lot of people might find the overnight piece daunting. How do you keep going through the night? Do you incorporate lack of sleep into your training cycle?

DS: Oh! the night is the best part. Read the rest of the interview here!



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