Did a 32 mile, 2,500 ft. climbing ride today and I am hurting! It was much nicer out than I expected, almost 60 and very sunny. But, oh those winds. Coming straight out of the east, so the whole second half of the ride was into a strong headwind, of course, after my legs were tired from climbing.
Did my second climb of Oak Hill, going at my usual speed of 8-10 for the 4.5 miles. There were lots of people training there today. One young woman and guy, sped ahead of us, when I came upon them, on the side of the road, with him lying prone in the grass . I was pretty nervous, approaching this scene, but when I asked if they needed help, she said, "Oh no, we're doing intervals." I didn't say anything in return, but I guess I didn't know that intervals include feeling so bad, you have to lie on the side of the road! Very strange.
We headed into Bolton, from Harvard center and then took a flatter route back, coming out of farm country, onto Rt. 117, which is busy. My DH and friend's DH got a bit ahead of me, because by this time the wind was vicious and my back was killing me, when I came upon them, by the side of the road. My DH had a flat on the day when he had no tools or tubes; yesterday he had his big bag on the bike for when we lead a ride and then he took it off, but left the little one in the car. So our friend went ahead, I gave DH the tools and a tube/CO2 and off we went. I got a little second wind, since by now we were riding on familiar roads I like. With about 2-3 miles left to go to our friend's house, where our car was, another young couple pulled out of a parking lot and tried to catch us. My friend saw them (she was a bit behind us) and said they were really trying, but despite their youth, couldn't do it. I just wanted to get back! At one point, when going over a highway overpass, my legs were cramping like crazy, but we made it.
Tomorrow I am marching in the Patriot's Day parade (3 miles) with the military family group and that will be my only exercise!