           | Fatigue |
| A common definition of fatigue includes the components of physical
and/or mental exertion. Often we derive part of our satisfaction in
endurance riding from the focus required to achieve the objectives we
are seeking whether it be a Saddlesore, the Butt or a challenge of our
own creation. To navigate rallies demands a mastery of time, distance
and speed and the successful manipulation of those numbers precludes or
significantly limits extraneous distractions. Our exertion is so
focused that the active mind and the static body eventually begin
making demands for maintenance. We have heard many of the community
describe their various methods of mental and physical maintenance and
these techniques are fairly well understood. They help restore our
ability to continue safely until we can compensate for the overtaxing
of our systems. Here follows some observations that I believe. An important aspect of fatigue management is to recognize that fatigue is a variable. Picture it as something elastic and the elasticity depends on a range of components such as amount of sleep, general physical condition, what types of food have been eaten, one's sense of well being, the type and amount of stress with which we are dealing, etc. There are many more of these components, but all of them are subjective and on any given ride may assume a different level of influence or priority. The rider who would venture far and long learns that most of these components are capable of being manipulated in the quest to achieve higher levels of endurance. Experienced riders learn some techniques and methods of overcoming the types of fatigue that they are encountering and the more one rides the bigger this bag of tricks becomes. This is one reason I oppose the idea of mandatory rest periods in any endurance event. It doesn't allow the participant to operate at the optimal level nor to choose the methodology that works best for them. Rider A could be wide awake and fully alert when the mandatory rest period arrives, whereas, Rider B should have taken rest miles earlier. Some riders are adept at riding 36 or 48 hours straight without need for any significant break --- I've seen this with riders on various events and on a few it has happened to me as well. The wall of fatigue is seldom impenetrable and that is an important and pivotal aspect of endurance riding that needs to be stressed. The ability of the rider to figure out a way through the fatigue session is an important part of acquiring the higher levels of endurance skills. First we learn the techniques that work for us in combating physical fatigue. This is the easiest for most of us because the symptoms are most apparent, easiest to define and easiest to overcome. The next stage for many is the mental fatigue and it is the more challenging to surmount. But it can be done. The cycle repeats with second stage physical and second stage mental fatigue and repeats again with each cycle becoming increasingly difficult to manage. At some point in these cycles we begin to exhibit symptoms and signs of exhaustion. Seldom does any one or two day event take the rider to the exhaustion stage, the point at which he no longer seem capable of managing physical or mental fatigue. This is the domain of the extended rally. Where the Iron Butt and multiday events challenge riders, in my opinion, is to allow them to approach the walls of exhaustion. Here the objective is to recover as quickly as possible and to continue until exhaustion forces another respite from the rally. This is the land of weird dreams when the eyes finally close. This is a land of hallucinations as the mind overrules the body. And, this is dangerous country. In discussing IB finishes with others, it is also a land that everyone travels through on this type of event, few emerging mentally and in some cases physically unscathed. Perhaps, this is one reason that IB finishers can't help but feel a bond and a sense of having done something very significant and very self revealing. To those that have run the Butt, how about those dreams; you know, the ones that you have every night for the next week after the finish!? This is already way too long, but, allow just one more point. Its the most important of this post. For me and many that I know, the joys of endurance are in slaying the dragons of fatigue and exhaustion and achieving levels that were at one point considered unobtainable. But as soon as we arrive at the higher ground of skill and abilities, we also must acknowledge the peak before us and be willing to climb it, at some risk, if we are to really understand how high we can go and if endurance riding is to progress and stay dynamic. Events that are timid in allowing riders to explore the higher ground are in essence capping the ability of their participants. Events, like Iron Butt, that allow riders to slay the bigger and more fierce dragons will always be the most important and the most memorable. IMHO, we haven't seen the top of the peak yet nor have we reached hallowed ground. Exciting, ain't it!! Jan Cutler Footnote: used with permission. Jan is well founded in Long Distance Riding as he has been doing it since before it had a formal name. Former co-owner of a BMW dealership, rallymaster of the Nevada 1100, Jan has set a number of records - the list of his accomplishments and support of the sport goes on and on. |
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