Jared's 2011 LOTOJA experience

This is Jared's experience in his own words:

As you all know Dan (Hemmert) and I completed the LOTOJA race on Saturday. 206 miles, 3 states, one day. It went over three mountain passes, through canyons and valleys and finished at the foot of the Tetons.
We started in the dark at 5:45am. Everyone was lit up like a Christmas tree with light reflectors. I hit two pot holes that nearly took me out because I couldn't see them. The first stage (Logan to Preston, ID) went really fast and seemed like a quick warm up for what was to come. We met up with our support crew in Preston. Dave Shallenberger and Lara Stewart were driving Dan's car as our support. We also had Jane Stewart who drove support for Dave Stewart and his team. We rode with his team the entire way (well, mostly). They consisted of BYU professors from various fields - Dave Stewart's riding buddies. After a quick bite to eat and refill on fluids in Preston we were off again. We rode from Preston, ID to Montpelier, ID. There was a huge mountain pass that we had to climb over called Strawberry Summit. It was grueling and painful but I felt good. Dan was doing great. We all met at the top of the summit to refuel. Since I weigh considerably more than the others, I go a lot faster on the descents. I was going over 50mph descending down to Montpelier. I was in a huge group of guys and we were in a straight line cruising into Montpelier like a high speed train. I was the first to meet up with Dave and the Stewarts for support. We ate a quick lunch, reloaded, refueled and were off again. The next stage was from Montpelier to Afton. We climbed up the canyon and over the mountain just outside of Montpelier. I struggled a bit on this climb. The big monster climb was about to come where we entered Bridger National Forest and climbed up to the Salt River pass. I fell off the group and struggled up that climb tremendously. I ran out of fluids to drink half way up. My body was reaching its limit. I had officially "bonked." I stopped on that huge hill probably 5 times. I reached the summit and nearly collapsed from exhaustion and lack of fluids. Dan and Dave Stewart had waited for me. I told them I was done. We had only ridden 110 miles at that point but I couldn't go any further. I had given up and would wait up there for a while then ride to Afton where I would meet with the support vehicle. I also lost my phone somewhere around Montpelier. Talk about frustrating. Two of the professors in Dave Stewart's group had thrown in the towel as well at the top of that Salt River summit. The three of us laid on the asphalt for about 20 minutes. I drank and drank and drank. Then I ate some food. As I laid there I was having a huge mental battle with myself. I had trained all spring and summer for this race and was quitting half way through it. That didn't sit well with me. I was devastated thinking of not finishing the race. We got on our bikes and started to ride to Afton. There was a huge descent so I was way ahead of those other two guys. I rode alone to Afton and got a little emotional a couple of time because I didn't want to quit the race but my body was telling me otherwise. By the time I reached Afton I had made my mind up that I wasn't going to quit. I ate some food and rested a few minutes. They offered to drive me from Afton to Alpine and skip the next stage so that I could still finish. This was very tempting, but I knew if I did that I would regret it later and it wouldn't feel the same if I had ridden the course in its entirety. One of the two professors who said they were quitting decided to keep going as well. It was just me and him, Professor Dan. He and I rode together to Alpine trading off pulling and drafting. We made it to Alpine and met up with our support crew. The Stewart support crew was gone. It was just Dave Shallenberger and Lara Stewart in Dan's car now. We refueled and started again. Dan (professor) told me to go ahead since he wouldn't be able to keep up with me. I had 47 miles to go. From Alpine up Snake River canyon to Jackson Hole. Dave Shallenberger told me they would stop every 5 miles or so to check on me rather than meet me in JH because I wasn't sure I would make it. I really struggled through the canyon. Professor Dan wasn't too far behind me. At mile 171 one of my rear spokes snapped. When this happens your wheel turns into a noodle. I was done. No phone. No support vehicle anywhere near me. It was over. Then a guy stopped and asked me if he could help. I asked if he could drive me to the finish since my spoke broke. He insisted that I take his rear wheel and finish the race. We exchanged wheels and I was off again. I met up with Dave and Lara a few miles later. I told them I had nothing left in the tank and was ready to quit. Everything hurt. My hands and fingers were totally numb. Feet were numb. Legs were like jelly. Butt and crotch area felt like I had been beaten with a bat. Back and shoulders hurt. Everything hurt. Dave told me that they would stay with me the remaining 20 miles if I couldn't go any further they would just drive me to the finish. Me and professor Dan got back on our bikes and rode past Hoback Junction. I couldn't ride very fast at all. We were going about 14mph on the flats. The sun was getting lower and lower. I told professor Dan that when we see Dave and Lara that I would get in the car and be done. I kept looking and looking for them around each turn. They weren't there. I later found out that Dave and Lara knew if they stopped again I would give up. So they went to the finish and hoped that we would make it. Professor Dan "pulled" me over the rollers and winding roads into Jackson. He kept encouraging me the entire way. At about 10 miles to go my right leg cramped up. I couldn't peddle anymore. I was fighting off the tears as I thought this was finally my undoing and I wouldn't finish with the sun almost down. We stopped and I stretched and mustered up the remaining mental willpower left in me and got back on the bike. The sun dipped behind the mountains and I knew the race officials would start kicking people off the course. I don't know how I did it but I rode the remaining 10 miles at about 10mph in tremendous pain. Professor Dan kept encouraging me. It was totally mind over body at this point. He told me to look up. I saw some lights in the distance. He said that was the finish. I was so happy to see those lights. It seemed like an eternity until we got close to those lights. Tons of people lined the street and were cheering us on. We crossed the finish line with about 30 minutes remaining before they closed the course. I collapsed with complete exhaustion and emotional tears flowed. Dave Shallenberger helped me get up and gave me a big hug. Dan Hemmert has his own story to tell, but he ended up finishing about 30 minutes before I did. I got my finishing medal and was filled with such joy and happiness of accomplishment. I trained hard all summer for this. Although I didn't finish with the group, I did finish. I got on the phone with Jaime and she told me a quote from Lance Armstrong, "Pain is temporary, but quitting is forever." That basically sums it all up. I knew that I would regret giving up. I found a way to keep going when I didn't have anything left in the tank. With the encouragement of others and my mental fortitude I finished that race. Over 12 hours on the bike riding. Nearly 14 hours from start to finish. Epic! I never thought I would suffer and struggle so much. I knew it would be hard, but not that hard. I trained by tail off all summer for this race and thought I would be strong the entire race. That thing kicked my butt beyond description. I don't think I will ever do that again. I will do it in a relay, but not the entire thing solo. LOTOJA is checked off of my bucket list now.