Heartbreak Hundred Ride Report

[Jiffer]

I did Heartbreak Hundred Saturday. 100 miles with 8,500 feet of climbing. My second time doing it. When I did it last year, it was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. Took me 8:23 total time to finish it. This is a timed event ... "not a race" they say, but timed. So, I was glad to say I had done it, but wasn't sure I ever wanted to do it again. My friend decided she wanted to do it this year and that we should train for it together. I wasn't really excited about it, but she sucked me in. So, we've been training for it and we did it.

She's a better climber than me, so I started about 25 minutes before her with the goal of staying ahead of her as long as I could (and another guy friend of ours who is about her pace). I'm proud to say I got all the way to the end before them and their over all time was only ten minutes faster than mine. Woo hoo for me!

My time this year was 7:08, which is 1:13 faster than last year. Wowzers! And the best part is I felt so much stronger throughout the ride than I ever did last year, or even on other centuries and big rides this year. I started suffering quite a bit around mile 70-90, but over all I was so happy with the difference in how I felt.

My friend, however, still isn't sure she's "glad" she did it. She was pretty miserable throughout the ride and she's not sure why anyone would ever do it again. This cracks me up, because she's the better climber, did it a little faster than me and she's the one who wanted to do it.

Anyway, even though this was now the 2nd hardest thing I've ever done in my life ... I'm very happy that I did it and with how I did.

[indysteel]

Wow; that's a big improvement! Way to go! Where is the ride, anyway? I'm not familar with it. What were the weather conditions?

[colby]

1:13! That's a huge improvement! That said, I think the difference in how you felt is an even more important difference, even if it had taken you the same amount of time. Congrats!!

[Jiffer]

Wow; that's a big improvement! Way to go! Where is the ride, anyway? I'm not familar with it. What were the weather conditions?

It's in Lebec, CA. (Near L.A.) Part of the King of the Mountain series, which is Mulhulland, Breathless Agony and Heartbreak Hundred. The other two rides have more climbing. If you do them all, you are eligible for the King of the Mountain jersey and they list over all combined times for the different age groups.

It was great weather. Got into the mid 70's. The year before (and the very next day) it was in the low 80's and MUCH warmer than I was used to riding in. I got dehydrated. However, two years ago and, apparently quite commonly, the weather is actually in the 90's. So we were very lucky.

[TrekTheKaty]

Excellent time! And I'd say you're the better climber

[Susan126]

Wow nice job Jiffer! What an improvement over last year's time. Training (I strongly believe in this) is key.

Congratulations again!