I went on a 42 mile bike ride today. Now, I knew I might be dropped, but not as horribly as I was.

I figured I would be able to keep up, because a few people from my "Tri 101" group joined the ride. I kept up for 20 miles, barely... running 17 mph average.

Then, we turned around... and it was OVER for me. I just DIED. My tummy started to grumble... and every hill I had to go up... I got slower and slower.

The thoughts that ran through my head:

1) I suck at cycling. After 1.5 years of riding, I can barely keep up with people who just started riding 3 months ago.

2) I suck at tri's. I can't run (a 12 minute mile... shin splints, etc.), and I can't ride fast. Why do I do this at all?

3) I wish someone with a truck would come back and pick me up and take me back.

4) Another HILL! Just keep pedaling... don't walk up this hill... don't do it!

5) I suck.

6) I'm hungry.

7) Damn the wind. Why did the wind decide to start blowing really hard?

And on... and on... and on...


Luckily, there was 1 GUY behind me. When he passed me, I hung with him and one other guy to find our way back to a road I knew.

Then, I stopped. I fixed my helmet (was sliding off my head), I took my long sleeve shirt off. I ate some gel. I rested.

A guy came back to check on me, as he wondered what happened to me. We rode the last 8 miles back together.

My ending average was 15.4 mph.


So, it was a very hard day and at the end of it, I had to keep reminding myself that even though I am a poor athlete, that I do this for the fun of it... and to have a reason to workout.

I tell you what though, it gets OLD being last and slow. Really old.