Adam Dabonka Asks: UltraSkate 2019

My name is Adam J. Dabonka; proud to say I have been longboarding since 2002. I have been to many events around the country since then including 3 Miami Ultraskates (or was it 2, but let’s go with 3 because that sounds like I know what I’m talking about). Ultraskate is by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, with my highest mileage topping at 186. So I decided to do a little Q&A session with Shralpers Union President, Joseph Burnham.  Let’s get to it! sidebar: This Q&A is meant to be fun and informative at the same time, so take no offense (I’m from NJ – sorry).

 

Q:  So Joe!  Let’s get down to it…. describe your initial thoughts about the race and did you have any pre-set goals you wanted to achieve at your first 24-Hour Miami Ultra-Skate?

A) My main goal for any event, whether I am running it or participating in it is to be the most stoked person there.  I aim on being the person that hopefully keeps people going, or at least smiling.   I did want to hit 200 miles with dreams and delusions of reaching 250 miles.

My initial thoughts revolved a lot around not nerding out around all the world class super bad ass athletes.  These guys are the best in the world.  I just wanted to listen to anything they had to say, watch what they did, and be in the moment as much as possible.  I was really just stoked to be going.  

 

Q: So Joe! Great answer!! I’m so stoked for you. Tell us a little about your race experience and did you meet and exceed those goals?

A). I did not meet my distance goals, and I felt I did a pretty steady job of being cheerful and uplifting to the other people.  Experience wise it was pretty surreal.  At Ultra you get a pass to skate as much as you want/can in 24 hours.  It was pretty awesome to be a part and get to watch these top world athletes kick as hard as they could.  

 

Q: Joe… let’s get nitty gritty for a minute. You were running a steady pace and at some point in the race, according to the race stats – it looks like you hit a wall.  Can you elaborate and relive the moment without reaching for the Bengay cream? lol

A) Ha! Calories and refuel plans were what killed me.  We didn’t have enough of any of it.  I feel like this is the case, because I was in this haze. 

 I have experienced the same feeling at a push event we put on in June call the Knob Noster Knasty.  At this event we are only pushing 69 miles the first day, but it’s a constant struggle the whole push and we are typically in 90° to 100° temps the whole push.  By the end of the first day, most of the riders are in the calorie deficient on the verge of over heating blur.  One year we didn’t have support planned out and getting refueled was impossible.  None of the riders were in a state of mind to do anything but lay there.

That is where I got.  All I could do was sit there.  My hips had locked up.  My brain couldn’t seem to put anything together for recovery.  We didn’t really have any support as everyone was pushing their hardest.  My severe social anxiety combined with lack of any ability to coherently put thoughts together spelled the end for sure.

 

Q: You ended up with the following overall stats, (excluding age category):  36th place/89 laps/129.940 miles… Are you content with these numbers?

A) Nope.  Not content with that at all.  Even though it was 16 miles over my longest push I have ever done before that.  I am stoked on what I did, but I am still not content. 

 

Q: Can you breakdown your setup for those interested?

A)Sure.  I pushed on my usual set up that I have been training with for a while.  Pantheon Trip 9-ply, Paris Savants 165mm Hanger, Seismic Ceramic Bearings, Orangatang Caguamas 85mm, 80a, rounded out with RipTide bushings 90a board side, 87a road side.

 

Q: My setup does not allow for pumping, I hardcore pushed all of my Ultra-skate events. I think there should be an “All Push/No Pump” category. Do you agree?

A) I don’t like rules telling me what I can and can’t do in general, although for a contest I understand why there needs to be.  Even though my set up isn’t a dedicated pumper I can still get some pump action on it.  It was a nice break up of motion to pump a little, like coming down turn 4.  I feel like if people competed in that style there would be crying from someone about how they saw so and so pumping once.  Not sure how enforceable it would be.

 

Q: It’s been less than a week since Ultra-Skate, are you still sore?

A) As of the Tuesday, the bruising  that showed up on my hips has gone away, and I feel like I could kick another 100 or so.  I got home and really noshed hard on some dark leafy goodness and my usual recovery meals.  My body soaked it up like a sponge.

 

Q: Will you be a repeat customer at a future 24-Hour Ultra-Skate?

A). Yes.  I have to go back.  Not only was it a super rad time, but I for sure have unfinished business.  Next time I’m bringing the crew and as many pushers from the 816 as we can get to go.  We have a year to prepare and put to work what I learned.

 

Q:  Did you do anything weird during your time on the racetrack.. meaning – some people hunker down and listen to audio books – and what not… I mean let’s get real – small talk on the track lasts about 4 hours, then you have 20 hours left.  What did you do?

A). I don’t feel like I do anything weird.  When I’m on my board and pushing I don’t feel as anxious as I do any other time so I tended to say Howdy to lots of folks….which I instantly felt bad about because everyone had their headphones in.  So as per usual I felt like was disrupting things.  So I eventually just kinda settled into a push as if I was by myself, played little games, did math, made up songs.

 

Q:  Joe honestly those were such rad answers and I can honestly say you suck.  I bet Haluk Ayata $100 that you were definitely going to do 200 miles – and thanks to you I’m out $100 bucks…  Any final thoughts?

A)  Ope!  Tell Luke that you will double or nothing for some type of placing at Chief Ladiga in May.  That’s the next big push for most Shralpers, and I have heard rumblings we are going to have a huge amount of us at that push.  

Huge shoutout to everyone that got me to Ultra Skate 2019.  I learned so much, and can’t wait to show you the stoke in 2020.  Huge thanks to Joner, Andrew Andras, and all the people who helped out at UltraSkate.  You guys are freaking rocks stars and put one a hell of an amazing life changing event.  Thank you for the interview dude, much love.