I failed

[BarbaraAlys]

babynoahsmom;440833I failed. So what? I will take something away from this in the end.

You know, that is really putting it in perspective for me. By being alowed to say "I failed" somehow helps it not become "I am a failure"...two very different things.

We learn from our failures more than our accomplishments; good for you for being able to keep things in perspective.

BarbaraAlys

[uforgot]

Sounds like it was quite a ride Lorie! Thanks for putting it all in perspective. Any pics? Yeesh, it's just been brutal lately. Finally some relief today.

I went to the Big Dam Bridge last July when I had a conference in Tennessee. (I decided to take a long detour) I loved it! I had never been to Little Rock, and the thing I noticed was that it had to be the friendliest city I had ever been to! The Bridge is impressive, but I also had to hit the Clinton Library while I was there. The people I met were so helpful and talkative. I had trouble with my brakes and everyone on the Bridge wanted to help. Whether or not you go to the organized ride, the Bridge (and Little Rock) is worth the trip. I wanted a T-shirt though...they need to sell Big Dam Bridge T-shirts! (Yes, I want a Dam T-shirt)

[indigoiis]

I would rather ride in snow and freezing rain than hot sun. You rock for riding in 100 degree weather; I would have wilted within the first mile.

[babynoahsmom]

Sounds like it was quite a ride Lorie! Thanks for putting it all in perspective. Any pics? Yeesh, it's just been brutal lately. Finally some relief today.

I went to the Big Dam Bridge last July when I had a conference in Tennessee. (I decided to take a long detour) I loved it! I had never been to Little Rock, and the thing I noticed was that it had to be the friendliest city I had ever been to! The Bridge is impressive, but I also had to hit the Clinton Library while I was there. The people I met were so helpful and talkative. I had trouble with my brakes and everyone on the Bridge wanted to help. Whether or not you go to the organized ride, the Bridge (and Little Rock) is worth the trip. I wanted a T-shirt though...they need to sell Big Dam Bridge T-shirts! (Yes, I want a Dam T-shirt)

Thank you for saying nice things about my state. We really do try. You can get a tee shirt if you ride the ride. Also the Clinton Library store down in River Market has some really great eco-friendly stuff if you get a chance to make it there.

[babynoahsmom]

As Claudia said, I was at Tour de Corn as well and it was DANGED HOT and DANGED HUMID!! It hit Missouri earlier this past week and it's been HOT, HOT, HOT! I was lucky (?) in that I've ridden 7 of the last 8 days in this weather, so I was ready for it. I was sweating before I even got on my bike yesterday!

That being said, please don't say you failed! You learned something about yourself and what you might need to do next time you're faced with similar circumstances. I do know that the people I was riding with went through water, electrolytes, gatorade, shotblocks, etc., like they were going out of style. I drank at least 4 bottles of water, one bottle of Powerade, and a couple cookies....and one ear of corn during the ride. I still, after the ride, drank water like there was no tomorrow. It was 100 degrees when I finished at 11:00 a.m.! I heard stories of a couple of people being taken by ambulance because of heat stroke (don't know if that's true), but knowing when to say when, at least in my mind, is important. NEVER risk yourself....ever. It's just not worth it.

Flats are not easy. This ride had one "hill", it was an 18 foot ascend and descend. Yes, that's right, EIGHTEEN feet. Our total change in elevation was 58 feet, we climbed a total of 400 feet (I did the 30 mile ride this year; did the 60 last year; however it's pretty much the same). You pedal on a flat CONSTANTLY or you slow down/stop. Add to the mix the fact that there was NO SHADE on this ride, only cornfields...it made this ride a little tricky.

I live in the Ozarks and my rides typically have 2000 total feet of climbing for a 60 mile ride with a change in elevation of 600 feet. Whether a route is flat or hilly, in my humble opinion, does not matter. They are each hard in their own way.

The nice thing with this ride, though, is the GREAT SAG service and really helpful people. One of my sons and his friend rode the ride and anytime I stopped to wait for them, a SAG wagon was there, asking if we needed help. That was really reassuring.

I think you did just fine! No reason to feel bad or anything at all!

Training....hhmmmm...that's a good question. I would do a few longer rides just for mileage sake, and the tough thing - probably the toughest thing - about a flat ride is no break. You pedal and pedal and pedal and then pedal some more. You don't get to ZOOM downhill and get a breeze and a little of a breather.

You did GREAT! Enjoy what you accomplished!

Lorie

Yes, the SAG was wonderful. Several times the Ambulance crew tried to pick me up. (I can see their boss telling them, "We have to get at least one run out of this to get our money back today. You go out there and find us a good one!) I must have really looked like a hot prospect! I did the thirty last year without any problem, of course last year although it was a little windy, it was not hot. I just wasn't prepared for the heat. You are right too about flat rises. I rode one hill her last year in a thiry that had an 11% grade, but then I got to merrily sail down the other side for quite a while. I have forgiven my bike and cleaned her up. My computer messed up for about eight miles yesterday so I spent those miles thinking about taking a claw hammer to it. That at least was very motivating. Tomorrow evening when it cools down, I think I will do an easy 15. Congrats on doing the thirty. Wish I had joined you!

[Tuckervill]

Where is the Trailnet? I am thinking about doing Big Dam also, but one of the shorter rides. There are a lot of hills on that ride. I rode the bridge last year so I could say I did it before my husband. It is really neat and the bike trails around it are nice too. It will be interesting to see where they plan on parking everyone.

It's starts out at Burns Park in the soccer complex. There is plenty of parking.

You have a whole lot of time to train for that ride! It's not til the end of September.

Karen

[babynoahsmom]

It's starts out at Burns Park in the soccer complex. There is plenty of parking.

You have a whole lot of time to train for that ride! It's not til the end of September.

Karen

My husband is planning on doing the hundred. I will probably do one of the shorter routes.

[TrekTheKaty]

Yes, the SAG was wonderful. Several times the Ambulance crew tried to pick me up. (I can see their boss telling them, "We have to get at least one run out of this to get our money back today. You go out there and find us a good one!) I must have really looked like a hot prospect! !

I once ran a marathon where the SAG bus was hovering 20 feet behind our group that was still ahead of the cut-off splits. Thanks to the wind, we were sucking exhaust. Someone finally turned around and said "GO AWAY. We're not quitting." He peeled off!

Little Rock is VERY friendly. That's why I'm eager to come back. I did the half marathon and stayed at a Hampton Inn quite a ways from the start. They were aware of the race and cheered me on coming and going. In on section, the local mayor was standing at the bridge clapping and cheering--and I'm a slow runner--so he'd been out there awhile!

I stopped at the Cracker Barrel on the way out of town and was treated like a rock star. The town was very aware of the event and supportive. St. Louis could learn something from them

[Miranda]

Here is one other thing to consider about the heat. Where were you in your menstraul cycle?

Man... I just hit the wall hard this last week with the midwest humidity. It was suppose to be a short, easy ride... in which I had all the right stuff nutrition /hydration.

Even when not exercising, I do not do well just sitting in the heat. Some other things medically with my body are part of the reasons. Like you, one reason I chose my upocoming century (my first) in the fall. Think that is part of being smart and knowing your body. One reason of many I love Fall... crisp cool air...ahhh.

Only thing that really killed me on my own doctor list is my period and perimeopause. I gain 3-5#s a month. Look 1st tri-mester prego. BUT seem to shed all that in about 1 to 1 1/2 days. I'm a non-stop pee-ing machine.

Going back through my calendar, I was dumping my period water when I bonked. Literally 5 pounds lighter from Wednesday to Sunday morning.

I don't know if my gyno can recommend something or not. I don't want to be being doing this on the day of my century event.

Btw, I agree with your fail title. First, I thought... when you post something like that, you need support, encouragement, etc. Attitudes and perceptions about failure are relative. I see nothing wrong with failing. Just as you say... you learn, grow, etc... the sun comes up tomorrow. So what. You go on... it's a new day. IT'S OK!!!

Good Luck at the doc. Hope you get some answers.

[kenyonchris]

Thanks for the good advice. No, I am not going to change the title. What ever happened with it being ok to fail? I set a goal, I did not make it. I failed. So what? I will take something away from this in the end. I have gotten some great advice and I will do better next time. I have four boys. I think if you teach your kids they will fail sometimes, they will be prepared and understand how to handle it and move forward. Life is not all roses and winning. Life is not always positive either. I think it is a better example to my boys to say Mommy set s goal and didn't make it, but I am learning from it. My nine year old son is becoming a very strong little rider. I think by speaking openly with him aobut my triumphs and my failures, he may learn that just because you don't make your goal the first time, that is ok and you should try again. And to TxDoc, I am a nurse and I plan on talking to my doc tomorrow. I am pretty sure I wiped out my electrolytes.

YAY!!!! I am not a fan of this "feel good all the time" mentality...failing is different than (hold thumb and forefinger up to forehead) "LOSER." Sugar coating and participation awards don't change the facts. I have seen a lot of people who never want their kids to fail, are scared to fail themselves, and in doing that they lead unhappy, unadventurous, lives.

We learn just as much from failing as from winning, and winning is relative. I am THE MOST competitive person, but it is relative to myself, not necessarily others (although sometimes my best happens to be better than everyone else's, sometimes it is to just finish).

I have taught competitive sports my whole life (before I became a cop I coached riders doing three day eventing). If my students didn't perform to the best of their abilities on any given day (and their best might be different from day to day), they heard about it from me. I pushed them (and myself) to work harder, try harder, set high goals. Sometimes they would finish a dressage test or cross country course and see what they described as "my vein" and know that they had not put forth their best effort. It wasn't feel good riding, it was good riding. The rewards might have been harder to attain, but they were genuine.

Not everyone shares this view, that's cool. I'm sure, though, that Baby knows what to change and work on for next time, and can face her problems head on. This one becomes a shrug it off and try again.

[Zen]

We learn just as much from failing as from winning, and winning is relative.

Readers digest condensed version.

[Tuckervill]

My husband is planning on doing the hundred. I will probably do one of the shorter routes.

oo oo, I was wrong! It started there the FIRST YEAR, but the last time it started at Dickey-Stephens Park. Since you'll have a bike, you can park anywhere downtown and ride over. I think we were able to get a spot in the lot right across the street.

Karen

[Trek420]

Was it Dwight Eisenhower who said something along the lines of "man is at his best when reaching for something beyond his reach"

Way to know when to say when Next ride you will surely achieve your goal

[crazycanuck]

BNM, I must tell you about my first MTB Enduro event in 06. Long story but it has a point...

It's supposed to be 100km but it ended up being about 115km. (this year it was about 120km)Anyways, I think I trained for it but thought being the SW of Western Australia, it wouldn't be hot on the event weekend. Ermm..wrong..It turned out to be 38C that day, no shade, some bits on gravel roads & it was all UPHILL...I remember the second half of stage 3 very clearly: I couldn't stand it any longer so I stood on the side of the trail & threw my helmet in the bush. AGHGH. Got back on my bike & continued but didn't do stage 4..

Luckily the volunteer SES crews were out with thier little water tankers hosing us down...Everyone was suffering & tons of folks dropped out after stage 2 or 3. I felt like a twit not continuing but I didn't feel bad as I knew others decided to stop. That didn't stop me from doing it in 07 & then again this year.

This year.. was a disaster. First, no one knew the "exact" distances the stages were(25km, 27km?)..Second, there were few signposts & I followed someone who was in the FAST group who'd just come onto the trail. AGHGHG. I (and about 5 others)ended up doing the first section 1 1/2 times. It started to pour, thunder & had to take what turned out to be a rather long shortcut . I decided to stop because I knew I wouldn't have time to get to the stage 3 point, friends that had my nutrition had left & I had lost the frame of mind. Good decision because the second stage was a mud fest...

Now, if you feel like a twit, I feel even funnier..I mentioned I took a wrong turn..It turns out I was a 1km away from the end of the stage... I don't consider it a failure. I'm not sure of the adjective to use...It is funny though!


I will train & do it again next year..

[babynoahsmom]

YAY!!!! I am not a fan of this "feel good all the time" mentality...failing is different than (hold thumb and forefinger up to forehead) "LOSER." Sugar coating and participation awards don't change the facts. I have seen a lot of people who never want their kids to fail, are scared to fail themselves, and in doing that they lead unhappy, unadventurous, lives.

We learn just as much from failing as from winning, and winning is relative. I am THE MOST competitive person, but it is relative to myself, not necessarily others (although sometimes my best happens to be better than everyone else's, sometimes it is to just finish).

I have taught competitive sports my whole life (before I became a cop I coached riders doing three day eventing). If my students didn't perform to the best of their abilities on any given day (and their best might be different from day to day), they heard about it from me. I pushed them (and myself) to work harder, try harder, set high goals. Sometimes they would finish a dressage test or cross country course and see what they described as "my vein" and know that they had not put forth their best effort. It wasn't feel good riding, it was good riding. The rewards might have been harder to attain, but they were genuine.

Not everyone shares this view, that's cool. I'm sure, though, that Baby knows what to change and work on for next time, and can face her problems head on. This one becomes a shrug it off and try again.

Thanks for giving me a good laugh to start my day off with! Will ride tonight.