Okay....I need to whine

**indysteel** · 10-10-2006, 12:20 PM

Ladies, I just need to whine for a bit to some people who will understand my disappointment (at least I hope you do). For the past month, I have been riding hard (for a newbie) in anticipation of this past weekend's Hilly Hundred in Ellettesville, Indiana. However, my hopes of of conquering the ride and finishing the year with a bang went somewhat awry.

After a long ride on October 1, I got a headache that wouldn't go away. By Monday, I had the mother of all sore throats and by Wednesday, I was diagnosed with a virus called "hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Apparently, a friend's little boy passed it on to me the week before. It's not that big of a deal really. The timing, however, sucked.

Anyway, for most of last week, I had lesions in my throat and a slight rash on my chest and stomach. Oh, and I felt really tired. Fortunately, by Friday I was on the mend. My throat felt better and I finally had some energy. I went to yoga on Friday and felt strong. I had everything ready to go for the ride and was prepared to leave home on Saturday by 6:30 a.m. or so.

Everything was fine until I went to bed. My throat started to feel really constricted, like I was having an allergic reaction to something. I took some Allegra to no avail. Then my sinuses started to feel congested. I took some decongestant to no avail. I finally fell asleep well after midnight. Believe me when I say that I didn't feel rested when my alarm went off in the morning.

After some coffee, I felt decent enough and hit the road. I made it to the ride in good time, watched the safety video and registered. By 9 a.m., I was rolling--along with 5,000 of my closest friends. It was chilly out (and I wasn't dressed as warmly as I should have been) but sunny. It was going to be a beautiful day.

I did okay on the first couple of modest climbs and made it to the first SAG without incident. Then I hit the first hard climbs of the day and found myself wheezing. I've never encountered that before, and it freaked me out a bit. As the ride wore on, my throat felt more and more constricted and my nose was running to beat the band. I finished the ride in okay shape, although I ended up walking the last big hill of the day. I just didn't have any energy left. I should have rested at the base of the hill, eaten some food and regained my motivation. Instead, I walked my bike up the hill, feeling shame the whole time.

After finishing, I started worrying about Sunday's ride. I just started riding in June and hadn't really trained that much for climbing. The Hilly's Sunday route--for this part of the country--is pretty tough. It's not the Alps, but it ain't easy either. Even in the best of health, I wasn't sure I could handle it.

My decision was ultimately made for me. By the time I returned home for the
evening, my allergies were simply out of control, and my usual meds weren't doing a thing. I couldn't breath easily out of either my nose or mouth.
Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day, and all the people I know who rode made it over the climbs and had a wonderful time. Without me.

Now I have a full blown sinus infection. Even if I start feeling better tomorrow, I know I won't be quite up to speed on the bike for a few weeks. And these could be the last few weeks of decent weather. I know I should be proud of myself for what I've accomplished this summer, but I just feel really bummed. Note to self for next year---stay away from all little kids for the weeks preceding the Hilly!

That's about it really. I just needed to whine....

**Duck on Wheels** · 10-10-2006, 12:46 PM

Oh dear. So sorry for you. I've never even heard of hand-foot-and-mouth disease before, but it sounds awful. And just as it says in Murphy's Law: What can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time.

Get well quick!

**chickwhorips** · 10-10-2006, 01:13 PM

sorry to hear you got sick. that's no fun at all at anytime of the year or whatever your trying to do or not to do.

be proud of what you did do. you pushed yourself as hard as you could go. be proud of that.

get better soon.

**CyclChyk** · 10-10-2006, 03:02 PM

You have every right to whine about not being able to finish the ride you apparently had so many hopes of completing. My DH suffers severe allergies and it can really be a pain in the a** when it comes on at the WORST time.

Also, you were weak from being sick. This probably got your immune system down, making you more susceptible to allergy attacks, and the usual pills not working. Especially if the doc had you on any type of antibiotic.

Why your whining should really stop there is because you went out there that first day and DID IT! You didn't make excuses even though you were tenacious about your ability to perform on the hills. You even pushed yourself to finish when you were wheezing and anxious.

I'm impressed. I think you should celebrate your accomplishment and don't sweat the small stuff. Next year, like you said, stay away from any young-un's; train like crazy on hills, and then.... Knock 'em dead!

**Bikingmomof3** · 10-10-2006, 03:26 PM

I am so sorry you became ill.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Feel proud about your accomplishments! You went out there Saturday and you did it! Also realize it is normal to feel mad/sad/angry/frustrated for not being able to go out again on Sunday. I can only imagine how you must have felt/feel. You will kick butt next year!

I am contemplating the Hilly 100 for next year, if I can ever get back on my bike that is.

**SouthernBelle** · 10-10-2006, 04:29 PM

Feel better. Like me, you learned you just can't ride when you've got an ickiness that involves breathing. Wheezing sux.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 10-10-2006, 04:37 PM

Poor thing!!
Treat yourself good, eat good stuff, get LOTS of sleep and it will improve faster.
It's awful to feel bad in your head.

**bacarver** · 10-10-2006, 05:05 PM

Indysteel -

Sorry to hear about your respiratory problems. Breathing is a must for cyclists who ride hills. I developed wheezing symptoms only a few years ago (I'm 46). House cleaning and exposure to paint are my triggers. I must learn to carry my inhaler with me when I ride. (I'm still trying to pretend I don't have a problem.)

Wanna hear something really WEIRD? I almost offed myself a few months ago by taking a drink of water too quickly after riding up a very steep hill. I had stopped (incredibly hot day) and tossed a mouthful of water into my throat to get some fluid on board. The water shot straight into my lungs and my larynx went into an immediate spasm. I was doing some MAJOR air sucking for about 30 seconds. Nothing going in OR out. Scary. I sat down and my thoat suddenly relaxed and I could breathe again. I later read an article in the paper and found out that this is called "dry drowning". I was close to passing out. I'm much more careful with my water bottle habits these days.

Stay healthy!

Barb

**Cindyloo** · 10-10-2006, 05:32 PM

Sorry to hear about your sickness! Right now I guess ragweed is blooming and is reeking havoc on sinuses everywhere. Until the pollen calms down I am on the trainer and it sucks.

**chickwhorips** · 10-10-2006, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by bacarver

Wanna hear something really WEIRD? I almost offed myself a few months ago by taking a drink of water too quickly after riding up a very steep hill. I had stopped (incredibly hot day) and tossed a mouthful of water into my throat to get some fluid on board. The water shot straight into my lungs and my larynx went into an immediate spasm. I was doing some MAJOR air sucking for about 30 seconds. Nothing going in OR out. Scary. I sat down and my thoat suddenly relaxed and I could breathe again. I later read an article in the paper and found out that this is called "dry drowning". I was close to passing out. I'm much more careful with my water bottle habits these days.

you have no idea how many times i've done this. (its sad actually) i use to joke that i was the only one that could drown myself in the desert.

**indysteel** · 10-11-2006, 04:41 AM

You guys are so sweet. Thanks for all the encouragement and well wishes. I actually feel a bit better today and am hoping that the worst is over. Hopefully, I'll be able to ride a bit by this weekend. I'm not a good patient as you might have gathered.

I really need to stop being so hard on myself. All season I've compared myself to people who've been riding a long time and it's led to no good. What can I say? I'm a Type A Virgo!

**Bad JuJu** · 10-11-2006, 05:50 AM

Glad to hear you're starting to feel better. Take a second or two to reach behind you and pat yourself on the back--you did great, considering the odds that were stacked against you. Hope you're back up to speed soon!

**hsmpcycle** · 10-13-2006, 09:44 AM

I am glad you are feeling much better. What horrible timing, but consider yourself the Michael Jordan of the event (one year he played the NBA playoffs with the flu: 100+ degree temps, throwing up, etc) because you stuck to it despite the ailments.

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