Saturday, September 24th, 2011 I set out on the Century I had chosen, the Rip Roarin' Ride in Liberty Hills, Texas. I chose it because it is in a beautiful part of Texas, out in the country, trees everywhere. I chose it because I would get a shirt with a lion riding a bike. Very cool for a Leo like me, who loves cycling. I chose it as summer was ending and I knew soon the kids would be returning to school. Always an exciting time but, for me, a big change and kind of sad and quiet- especially the first couple weeks as I get used to the quiet again. I thought things were surely going to slow down, and cool down. The last two things didn't go as planned! I got my first two referrals from past clients, they recommended their friends to me. Awesome. Work got very busy. And, the temperatures stayed mostly in the triple digits with a few days in September that were in the 90s. I didn't train as planned, only reaching 50 miles on a long ride and missing many short ones. (I did ride more than I blogged about riding however!) Saturday morning I just wanted to go see what I could do. On my registration form I circled 103, but a big circle that encompassed 79 as well!
The ride started off nice and cool, in the 70s. At mile 25 I remember sending a text "Feel great". I was having bike issues though. Not once, but twice as I zoomed down hills my chain fell off. I decided I wouldn't use my biggest gear.
So, when there were two routes to choose, the 79 or the 103, I chose to turn onto the 103. Then my knee started to hurt. Lots of hills. PMS with all the havoc it wrecks on my joints. Not using my biggest gear maybe, I was spinning at a faster rate than normal. Still felt pretty good. I had brought my own stash of watermelon and skipped the first two rest stops (with looong lines). Watermelon is king I decided. Never want to ride far without it.
Shortly after Rest Stop 3, there was a turn off to go back to complete the 50- the farthest I had trained to. I had to go farther than that! I did that much alone, with only cotton plants to talk to, without rest stops. There were large groups that turned back that way. There were a few people that turned when I did, towards the longer routes. I felt proud, but also a little nervous.
When I got to Rest Stop 4, I was feeling it. I had gone 40 miles. I thought if I turned back I would get the 79 miles. I sent a text to family saying 80 might be it for me this time. They were all very proud, thought 80 was a ton of miles. I felt unconditionally supported. I knew everyone would be proud of 80. But, as I ate some bananas and refilled my bottles with nice cold gatorade I started to feel maybe just maybe I could do the 103.
Instead of turning back, I went forward. As I understood it listening to chats, not from actually looking at my map mind you, if you did that loop you were going to do 103. That loop was tough. My one knee hurt so bad, even with the ibuprofen I had finally swallowed miles back. I couldn't stand up hills. I couldn't straighten that leg. I was psyched out, in a bad way, that I was going to have to do 103 now.
I started to notice people riding the other direction. At first I thought they were giving up, turning back. I took out my map and it hit me, to do the 103 I would have to ride this loop again. When I finally got back to Rest Stop #4, I knew there was no way I could do that loop again and ride my way back to the finish line. Emotionally, I needed to at least be on the return trip. And, that's what I did. When I climbed one really steep hill, I felt my thighs cramp with every pedal push. I almost tipped over because I had thought I had more power, and I didn't shift down in time. I zigzagged back and forth up that hill, feeling very lucky there was no on coming traffic! I was 60 miles in. I sent a text "ouch". I sat at the top of the hill and wanted to cry. I wanted my husband, my bike riding partner with me. I sat there longer and took a picture of the hill that I thought was going to break me. I saw two other ladies attempt it, and they walked their bikes up. It was that steep. We visited for a bit. Luckily a SAG vehicle didn't show up right then, or I would have jumped in.
From mile 60 to 83 I did what I tell my birth clients to do. I took one hill at a time (or one contraction in their case). I didn't think about how far I needed to go. I became very focused on only the upcoming challenge. I remember flashing to my sister Jenna in hard labor, when she looked at me like she didn't know if she could keep going. She did. Then I had lots of flashes- my husband pushing himself and completing his first marathon, my mother who has lost so much weight and is taking care of herself, my son in 110 degree weather 5 days a week at football practice who never once complained, my daughter who just dared to audition for her first play, on and on inspiration from my family came. I think I rode on inspiration. I also sang John Denver's "country roads take me home" that I heard on the radio as I drove to this ride. John Denver always reminds me of my Dad, of my child hood and family. I read the texts from Will, my sister, my mom. I stopped a couple times and re-read them. I couldn't have continued without feeling this love, I knew others were with me.
I distracted myself, making myself look and see the beauty of the rocky hills, trees, fields of gold, ranches with horses, cows, sheep.
At the last rest stop I got another boost. A lady there asked me how long I had been riding. I told her a few years. She said it showed, "look at those muscles". I told her that was exactly what I needed to hear. She laughed and said "moral support no extra charge". It reminded me of other rides I had done. I remembered I am strong. I passed guys climbing hills. I zoomed past people on the 3 miles of gravel.
Then I passed 79 miles! And, I remembered the loop I had taken very early on to do the 103. I had no idea how far that was, how far I had to go. I felt panic. I didn't know how much more I had in me. Luckily, soon I saw a little sign that said "2 more miles!" I was so happy. Another sign "1 more mile". I reminded myself I always finish strong. I pushed it, I flew. I saw my kids and Will holding a sign. I wanted to cry, this time happy tears, tears of relief. We took some pictures and they gave me nice cold water. They apologized that the sign said 103 miles. I was happy they believed that as unprepared as I was, that maybe I could still do the full route.
I needed to do this alone. I set this goal by myself, and rode alone for months. Before when I took time to ride with Will it was for me, but it was also time together, time for our marriage too. This time, I took time and energy for my goal. If I didn't get my butt out for a ride in the heat, I didn't let down anyone but myself. I am happy and proud I did 83 miles (5 hours 28 minutes).
