I did it!!! I did it!!

:) I completed my VERY FIRST CENTURY RIDE!! (100 miles in one day on bicycle)

Well, I did it....Saturday August 12th 2006!
I completed 102 miles all in one day...one ride. I rode the Sugar River Trail several times- the surface is crushed limestone, and it had some sandy places.
A bikin' friend rode along with me; Anyway, it was an awesome first time experience for me, I must say.

I just wanted to share with you my thrill, and excitement of accomplishing something I didn't really think I'd actually would...this year. Oh- I knew that someday I eventually would do it.
Yes and I wanted it badly enough...and was sure determined...just didn't think I was really prepared enough, but really "how is one ever sure you've prepared enough and what is enough?" I had rode 77.7 miles the Saturday before....(my longest ride of the season so far) Then the following Wednesday, I rode 54.5 miles.

All I know was the night before I was going riding that if I started out early enough, there just may be enough time to "attempt" a century. So, there I was filling up water bottles part way to freeze them and have them all ready for the next morning. I guess it was kind of a spontaneous decision on my part. You know last minute maiking my mind up and saying I am going to "try it"

I think I had talked on messenger to a friend and mentioned something about filling up water bottles for my ride on the trails; and he said something about possibly riding tomorrow...but he lives closer to Chicago...so I never expected him to volunteer to come over "this way" I thought he meant he was riding in his area. Well, he mentioned about riding along with me? I really thought he was joking with me, but, no he was serious. All I know was; that I was serious about riding and attempting my century in this cooler weather we were having. Then he said that I should not attempt it "solo"

It was so nice tho to have a riding partner for the day. He was great. He rode a little faster than I did, (his cadence is more consistant than mine) This made me work just a bit harder to keep pace with him. He was not so far out ahead , that it frustrated me and made me want to give up. No it was just right to keep me striving. We didn't really eat a lunch...which sometimes I need to - in order to have strength (fuel) energy to ride. But-we decided to just keep on snacking and not stop for too long., cause if you do...it just makes it harder to get back in the saddle again.

I am not sure at what point I hit that mental brick wall, I think it was around 80 some miles! Had I been by myself I think it would have been easy to have quit right there and then, but I pushed thru it, then I started seeing all of these riders looking so clean and fresh...I started getting envious of them! No kidding...It was weird. I was feeling dirty and gritty by then, I had sand and grit all up my legs. yep- I thought I looked filthy. Anyway- I kept teling myself..but I am on a mission to accomplish this! I just want to get 'er done this season. So... by 90 miles...something kicked it -as I looked down at my bike computer, (which I did frequently) I guess it was an adreneline rush for me, and boy the strength arose up in me....and I did it!
I thought I must pinch myself to make sure it was real, that this all was not just a dream, cause after all I had wanted it so much... I thought that I must be dreaming...It is hard to explain the feeling of really accomplishing something like this.
Not to bad for a gal like me! (hee hee)

Ya know what...I wanna do it again!!! Possibly next month! Yee---Hah!!!!
Well, just wanted to pass along the good news.... that I actually did it!
I am on cloud nine.
~ Trekn Teresa ~

That's great! You even look happy (at the end?). Congrats.

Congrats!! WOOHOOOO and the FANSSSSSSSSS go wild!!!!


Oh..and nice BJ jersey! Did you send Slantz a pix??

:D CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :D

I'll bet you feel like you can accomplish anything :)

I'm very happy for you. WELL DONE!

Have a great day!

great job! way to break through the mental any physical challenge.

you do look mighty happy in that picture.

you get a cloudie for that!!!!!!!!!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/cloud/cloudiehop.gif

ok... TWO cloudies!

http://www.smileycons.com/img/cloud/...ekickheels.gif

http://www.millan.net/minimations/sm...atualtions.gif I can't wait to do my first century!

Congrats! That's a great accomplishment! You should be proud! Shout it from wherever!

Congratulations!!! What a fantastic accomplishment. You look so happy. :)

Awesome!!! Congrats! :):):)

Oh what a Feeling ! ! ! congratulations - it is a great accomplishment :D

I want to say thanks to you gals for all of the congratulations and nice thoughts.

It truly was a grand feeling. I even had helmet hair in picture....I had already loaded up the bike...when my friend decided that he better get a picture of me...so that is the reason I am without bike. It was already onto the vehicle, and I turned around with all of this excitement that was bursting forth, and just could not contain myself!!
Again Thanks gals
And to those who are thinking of doing their first century...Just go for it!!! and get 'er done! :)

Wow - good deal. Congratulations and well done.

You look very very, happy - and rightfully so!

Congratulations - that's a great accomplishments!! Reading about all of you that have done it keeps the thought of trying one in the back of my mind. Maybe one day...

yAY! What a great thing! I will be so proud when I am able to do that....100 miles!!!!

Congratulations on your century...that is great. And I agree you look happy in the photo. I did 70 miles a couple of saturdays ago and I was smiling and bragging all day! THis moroning I signed up for a century ride in September, it is supposed to be a pretty flat ride. I can't wait. I am planning on bringing plenty of snacks. I hope I look as happy as you when i finish. keep smiling :) :)

way to go! I know what you mean about mile 80... LOL... that's usually the time when I'm thinking, "ya know, I coulda taken up knitting for a hobby..." :rolleyes: :D

you rock! great pic... congrats :)

Wow, a century on trails?! I am impressed. Trail riding is slower/harder than road riding, fer shure! :D

You have my deepest admiration!!

Emily

Great report! Congradulations on quite an achievement!

Clare

..aka Silverbullet