For most people in the world, it was the start of a Saturday like any other: Some breakfast, maybe some coffee and a leisurely flip through the morning paper. For Eileen Wysocki, resident of New Castle, Colo., it was a day she would never forget. Her snowshoes, determination and focus on setting a world record were the only things furiously going through her mind on February 7. It was time for the 24 Hours of Sunlight endurance race at the Sunlight Mountain Resort near Glenwood Springs, Colo.
During the previous year’s 24 Hours of Sunlight race, Eileen tried to set the record for most vertical feet snowshoed in a 24-hour period. She did it, but didn’t have the proper checklist in place to submit the final outcome to the folks at Guinness World Records. However, the 2009 race was special – Eileen was prepared…and so was her support team.
To understand Eileen’s accomplishment, it’s important to understand the Sunlight race and its eccentricities. Competitors – as a team or solo – hike up the mountain by skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. And of course, they come down the mountain to finish a lap. This is all repeated over and over again…all within a 24-hour time period. It’s a hardcore combination test of endurance, strength, determination and will. Although most choose to compete in the race with a team, many choose to take on the task alone.
“In previous races, I participated as part of a team,” said Eileen. “The first year was a team of five; I did about six laps. I enjoyed it, but I wanted to take it to the next level. The second year, I did the race as part of a duo. My partner was Andrea Arnhold and we each did 12 laps. Last year, it was my first year solo attempt – I did 16 laps.”
When first meeting Eileen before the race, she seemed calm. It was as though it was another day on snowshoes…and another day running laps up the Sunlight slopes. In a sense, it was. However, her support team (and droves of local fans) followed her every move.
She had it all mapped-out: When she would rest, when to change her clothes, and when to eat. But no sleep. It was a 24-hour calorie burn like no other, reserved only for elite athletes.
“I kind of got nerdy about my preparation and how I would pursue the race,” Eileen explained. “At one point, I had it all illustrated in an Excel file – called my strategy spreadsheet. I had the race organized in groups of three laps and then I would rest. My pace strategy was simple: Don’t stop on the uphill, shorten my stride on the steep areas and focus on exercising different muscles throughout the day. I just tried not to focus on the daunting task ahead. I allowed adrenaline to take over.”
Although she’s done this before, each race is different. All the elements are at play: weather, the mountain’s snow conditions, and the previous night’s rest. Eileen still had to force herself to eat during breaks.
“I still haven’t gotten used to eating during my rest periods. But I had to take in calories in order to keep pushing. I always have difficulties getting adjusted to the overall race and its toll on my body.”
As the day went on, Eileen was keeping a steady and respectable pace. She was resting, eating and consuming enough fluids to keep her body trudging through multiple laps up the mountain. Nonetheless, she did it all with a smile on her face.
“I’m tired, but having fun!” she yelled as she quickly snowshoed up a steep slope.
Darkness eventually overtook Sunlight Mountain Resort, but the racers continued – each donning headlamps and glow sticks. The slopes became dotted with swiftly moving lights. Of course, temperatures dropped and the wind began to kick up as the sun set and the moon appeared. But the night’s weather held up.
“From about 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., it was discouraging. It was getting cold and my support team called it a night shortly before 11 p.m. About 1 a.m., the weather began to cooperate and the night became peaceful. So I just continued to snowshoe my laps and rest when I needed to. I just aimed to keep my pace rolling.”
With the sunrise, her family returned to Sunlight to support Eileen. And she was about to accomplish the impossible as the 24 hours were about to end. After it was all done, she managed to set the record with 17 laps.
“It was about 47.6 miles snowshoed and approximately 25,534 feet. I dedicated the race to my sister, Katie. She’s always been very supportive of me and she’s recovering from back surgery.”
Eileen set a goal and conquered the near impossible. Now it’s time for Guinness to make it official.
