Ultra racing -- how's & why's | Amy Snyder | TEDxColoradoSprings

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. In 2009, Amy jumped into a minivan to chronicle an unheralded, two week long ultra-cycling race called the Race Across America from start to finish. She spent time with a handful of contestants before and after, and ended up with a story that changed her own beliefs about personal limitations and the power of the human spirit. She turned this story into her book, Hell on Two Wheels.
As a direct result of writing the book and embedding herself in the ultra-distance racing culture, Amy matriculated as a competitive endurance cyclist herself, racing in events spanning several days and up to 500 miles in length.
Amy Snyder is a retired management consultant, author, speaker, and late-blooming competitive endurance cyclist. Her award winning book, Hell on Two Wheels, chronicled a 3,000-mile nonstop cycling race, and was the first narrative nonfiction account of a multi-day race of this length and duration. Since publishing her book, Amy has spoken widely about the race, how it affected her, and the obscure world of ultra-distance cycling.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@jamesmacdonald7]

Amy, your book was the only one I read on the Race Across America before completing it solo as a rookie in 2016. You've covered the fundamentals here in this talk which is great. If anyone is interested the book goes into far greater detail. RAAM for me was about exploring my personal limits as well as the obvious curiosity and ridiculousness that comes from crossing a continent on a bike non stop. And of course theres so much more to experience and learn during the whole process once its started. I experienced some of the challenges you list but thankfully I didn't go around fighting with mailboxes.

[@GeorgeMetzler]

Nice job Amy! You have given a voice and have been a great advocate for RAAM and for the community that loves this race.

[@MrSteve-hy9yo]

Wow, this touched several points why I run long distances. Speaking to Scott Jurek once, he said his meaning was his hard past and upbringing. I could relate to that and it's not until hearing you state it that I thought that maybe those with physically abusive pasts, where you get this yearning to do the unthinkable. I was once told that its impossible to do those types of long distance runs but I always counter and say "that's what I thought about surviving my childhood but here I stand."

[@johnborman2311]

Excellent talk Amy. I'm an ultra distance runner and can relate to almost all of this. It wasn't until I was out of high school that my mom had told me why I was such a competitive person. It had to do with being pushed aside by my dad after my sister was born. I'm only a year and four months older than her. Before she was born, my dad spent almost all his free time giving me attention. So after my sister was born, I spent all my time trying to get back some of the attention. Parents got divorce when I was six years old, but I kept that competitive attitude. Once I found running, I was in Heaven. A sport where the harder you work, the better you got was perfect for me. I have been running for twenty-three years now and of course I love running for the sake of running. But still pushing myself to see where my limits are. I have also found that many, not all long distance runners have something to prove to either themselves or to others by putting themselves through the pain of training and racing.

[@lakeguy929]

Exceptional narrative of the superhuman test. I am proud to have been a Time Station manager and volunteer for a number of years and of course have seen Shermer's Neck several times first hand, and other of the race's challenges, but it nice to hear the perspective of the riders once again.

[@tonyokeeffe4616]

Congratulations Amy, the points you make are well articulated and the message is energizing. Best wishes for 2015!

[@Riceblox2000]

I think people do it because, once you push yourself past what is “normal” you feel like you are truly alive. I think so anyway.

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

Excellent, poignant, compelling with attributes than explain the why. Good use of data as well. Inspiring. Thanks

[@LanceWinslow]

Enjoyed it very much. BTW - Pain isn't real. I have pain right now from a 100-mile bike ride in the mountains today - can you feel my pain? No, see, it's not real. That proves it.

[@williamdowling7718]

By that logic every emotion, feeling, and experience you or anyone else has had is not real since they can't be experienced by an outside 3rd party. That's foolish.

[@JohnVKaravitis]

7:42 The "English language" has the word "fanatic," which describes a person who is so "well compelled" quite well.

[@georgegilles9008]

Brilliant

[@MaxRothFitness]

Amazing

[@favoritefrontrangehomes7235]

Amy - interesting... I do it cause I had a wonderment as to what it would be like... My dad drove me to my first marathon at age 21.... and my first triathlon, half Ironman at 19...many decades ago.

[@stokedonspokes3800]

RAAM definitely isn't the toughest, as it is supported. TransAm or Transcontinental are definitely tougher

[@chap666ish]

An interesting TED talk. I've never ridden RAAM but I've completed multiple PBPs and a few LELs so I watched this lecture from a different perspective to most TED viewers. I completely agree with some of Amy's statements (e.g. objectifying pain) but very much disagree with other points she mentioned, especially I differ with her view about why ultra-distance riders do what they do. We are not all "damaged" and looking for redemption through pain. Most ultra-distance riders I know do it because it's simply a personal challenge. I have to mention the f*ck up in the video at 11:25 - Paris Breast Paris??? It's Paris BREST Paris!!!

[@amysnyder7720]

Of course that's not what I said. You hear what you want to hear. Thanks for the typo patrol.

[@chap666ish]

Feel free to dismiss my opinion with "you hear what you want to hear". Which bit did I not hear correctly Amy?

[@seaturtle7777]

Oh come one people, that typo was the funniest thing I've seen this week. Most Ultra Athletes I know have a wonderful sense of humor, and embrace any number of personal opinions about motivation for why they go ultra. If there are any stereotypes you can apply to the community of ultra athletes, its that there are no stereotypes.

[@davidsandlin9686]

chap666ish she gave a few observations on why people do these races that she has observed. She did not say that these were the only reasons people did them. I'm sure each racer has there own reason to participate from the deepest to the most shallow. Perhaps some even do it to find where their limit is.

[@morosis82]

Indeed david. I had a fairly ok upbringing, nothing very traumatic except a bit of bullying, though even that was fairly mild. I am training for a half IM and full this year because I enjoy the challenge, in an otherwise very comfortable life. Have done a half before, lots of short distance racing, and a handful of 180km+ 'races', the 2015 Around the Bay in a Day being the worst of those, due to the last 100km of a 250km ride being into a 40-60kph headwind. I find comfort in uncomfort, if you will :)

[@brianchaffin4314]

...pulmonary embolisms?

[@HardlineFeminists]

Fewer and fewer "men" are able to compete at this level against womyn who naturally excell in Ultra events, which is great for us ladies! =)

[@JohnVKaravitis]

That's a reverse discrimination statement. Good job, you idiot!

[@dfox3526]

You're delusional. Men crush women in these events. It isn't even close.

[@morosis82]

dfox, not always. The 'race to the rock' in Australia was won twice by Sarah Hammond, back to back. The first race was 2300km, on rough roads or not at all, where well equipped 4wd's fear to tread. The second was 3000km, on similar terrain. Both self-supported, and both only a handful of the entrants even reached the end.

[@urbandiscount]

It is. Look at the results.