demoralized

[Dianyla]

I think you should follow up with your doctor. You are probably still anemic or have reduced capacity iron stores. It took me about 15 months of heavy iron supplementation (90 mg daily) just to bring my ferritin stores up to "decent". You may also want to have your folate levels tested - this can cause pernicious anemia that responds poorly to oral iron supplementation.

[IFjane]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I feel much better just reading about some of your experiences. I arrived back here in VA last night and will get the bike put back together tonight. Then I will go out for a "smile ride" (loved that comment, Velobambina!). I love my bike and want to have fun on it....not feel like I am dying.

As for the iron deficiency - I am on supplements right now, but am supposed to go off soon. Maybe I need to have that re-evaluated. My doctor told me to take them through the end of July and then go on a multi-vitamin with iron.

Pictures! They are still on my camera and the camera is at home. I will bring it tomorrow and post some. Warning to LBTC - I am NOT a great photographer but more the point and shoot type.

[Dianyla]

As for the iron deficiency - I am on supplements right now, but am supposed to go off soon. Maybe I need to have that re-evaluated. My doctor told me to take them through the end of July and then go on a multi-vitamin with iron.

Your doc should be retesting your serum ferritin every 6 months or so to see if the current dose of oral iron is working for you. Not everybody reabsorbs and utilizes iron at the same speed. Additionally, high intensity and endurance athletics impose higher iron requirements.

For example, when I got diagnosed with anemia, I started taking a moderate dose. It did help raise my ferritin up from almost undetectable to "low normal". I felt better but still not good. I had to double this dose in order to get up into the middle of the "ok" range. At that point, my doc recommended I drop back down to the original dose and two months later I was back to "low normal". So, long story short, you have to figure out what works for your body, your mileage may vary, st. disclaimers here, etc.

[HappyAnika]

I don't know anything about anemia, but from what the others have said, it sounds like that seriously affected your cardio capacity.

I will vouch for the heat. The week of the 4th was awful. I used to live in AZ, so trust me, I know heat. This has been the hottest summer we've had in a long time.

The Copper Trianlge in itself is a huge accomplishment. I'm hoping to attempt it next year. I've driven most of the parts, it is some serious mountain climbing.

FWIW, they say acclimatization generally takes about 2 weeks. That's a lot of time for most people to spare on a vacation, but if you can swing it I recommend it. I know I notice more fatigue for about a week and a half after coming home if I've been at low elevation for a while.

I'm sorry your trip wasn't what you expected. I like your idea of a "smile ride". We need those every now and then to remind us why we like cycling.

[IFjane]

HappyAnika - I'm sorry I did not get in touch with you and the other TE'ers who are out there. My experience on the ride bummed me out so much that I sort of retreated into myself. With any luck I'll hook up with you all next year.
I have ridden out there every summer for years and I will have to say that this is the first time I have had so much trouble. The only other difference this time (aside from my anemia) is that my son lived in Breckenridge until last year, so my stay was at 9600 ft. elevation instead of 5280. Not sure that made any difference at all, though...

Again, thanks for everyone's insight and advice....and good wishes. You all are the best!

[Kathi]

Sorry to hear of your struggles. To bad you didn't get in touch with me because I rode from Frisco to Keystone on the day of the TBP. We climbed up to Montezuma outside of Keystone. You could have ridden with us and skipped the Montezuma climb if you didn't feel like it.

Sounds like you might have pushed yourself to hard. I don't think staying in Denver hurt you because skiers are told to spend the first night in Denver before they hit the mtns. Our skier friends complain about tiredness the first couple of days, some, depending on fitness level and length of time they stay are worn out the entire time. Bicycling is much harder than skiing.

I assume you were well hydrated. The hotter it is here the lower the humidity. Even though I was drinking while riding, on the hot days, on Ride the Rockies I drank 1 or 2 water bottles of water at each sag stop, approximately 20 miles apart. I was really surprised because Accelerade usually keeps me going but I wanted water more. When we're in Summit County I start hydrating right away as I'm much more dehydrated than I am in Denver. I have to watch my old cat very carefully up there because she tends to get dehydrated much more easily and I have to keep her fluid level up. Even in the winter its easy to get dehydrated so I drink 12-24 oz of water when I get up in the morning.

This post from the Serotta forum explains what might have happened.

http://www.serotta.com/forum/showthr...&highlight=btc

This is from GPDavis2's post.

"Could be a big mistake for a couple of reasons. First, the most recent info is that one starts a gradual decline in altitudes that reaches its lowest point about 5-10 days after arrival. That would put her at the bottom of her altitude acclimation at the start of the ride. Second, she will be tired from riding in prep for those days, which will also help put her at the lowest point for the 6-7 days of the BTC. I did exactly what she is planning the first two times I rode the BTC. Then I learned (read more). Last time I rode I arrived the day before and was in much better shape until the end of the ride. No reason to get fatigued before the ride by doing the unfamiliar (riding at altitude). Either don't go out early or do so at least two weeks early so you start the ride after you on your way back up the acclimation curve."

It sounds like you were here 2 weeks early but pushing yourself very hard.

When you do a ride like the BTC or RTR most of the time you are between 6-8,000 ft with the occasional mtn pass climb so it is easier to acclimate than something like the TBP.

BTW, on Sunday I tried Vail pass from the Vail side and only made it 2 miles from the camp ground. It's a pretty tough climb and I was feeling my legs from Sat. I have yet to try Lookout Mtn.

I too feel a period of acclimatization when I come back to Denver after being at sea level.

Don't feel bad about yourself, I've spent years skiing here before I moved from Ohio and I know what it's like to suddenly try to exert energy when you're not used to the altitude.

[sarahkonamojo]

OK, what? 3 days 2 big rides and gray/torreys!?! That is a lot of activity and elevation gain coming form Virginia. It sounds like you have gone this hard before, but sometimes you need to take it slow. The heat, altitude, and anemia... sounds like it ruined your trip.

But I think not, you did two great rides and climbed (almost) a 14er. That is a pretty good score. The 14ers are over worked anyway, I do the 13ers...

Hope this doesn't discourage you from returning to Colorado and giving it another try.

sarah

[IFjane]

OK, what? 3 days 2 big rides and gray/torreys!?! That is a lot of activity and elevation gain coming form Virginia. It sounds like you have gone this hard before, but sometimes you need to take it slow. The heat, altitude, and anemia... sounds like it ruined your trip.

But I think not, you did two great rides and climbed (almost) a 14er. That is a pretty good score. The 14ers are over worked anyway, I do the 13ers...

Hope this doesn't discourage you from returning to Colorado and giving it another try.

sarah

Oh Sarah - you don't have to worry about me being discouraged and not wanting to return to CO! I try to make it out 2x a year, though last winter I did not get out there to ski. My dream is to move out there someday. In fact, Ft. Collins is on my "I want to live there" list.

I've done Grays & Torreys in the past (and Lincoln....and I rode up Mt. Evans - in a car! - once during the race - glad to hear they are closing the road this time) and really had no desire to do it again. Taking photos of flowers was much more relaxing and fun!

Kathi - Wish I had known you were in Frisco! I have ridden to Keystone and up to Montezuma many times over the years and would have loved to have ridden with you. Vail pass from the Vail side is what killed me on the Leadville ride. When you think about it, you really start climbing at Dowd Junction, climb all the way through the Vail Valley & then REALLY start climbing once you get out toward the campground. Makes me tired again just thinking about it! Lookout Mountain wasn't horrible - 4 miles, I think - but it's HOT because it is all on the east face of the mountain and there are few trees.

The Serotta forum entry is very interesting and an eye-opener. Maybe next year I'll just arrive the day before? My son told me the same thing - to either be out there at least 2 weeks ahead (I can't - not enough vacation time!) or come and do it right away. Or not. Maybe I'll just come out, hook up with y'all and not do an "epic" ride!