102 miles....I did it!!

**GLC1968** · 08-13-2006, 07:29 AM

Yes, you read that right...I completed my first century yesterday!! A year ago this weekend, my husband and I rode in our very first group ride having only possesed our bikes for about 2 weeks...and here it is a year later and we have successfully completed our first century.

The stats: 102 miles exactly, 3500 ft of climbing, 15.8 avg mph, 7.5 hours (including breaks)

First, I want to thank all the girls here for all the wonderful advice. I can't tell you how many valuable pieces of information I've learned from the ladies here that made this ride SO much more comfortable than it could have been...from chamois cream to seat angle to training tips to nutrition....you gals ROCK!!

THANK YOU!

The ride started out a little hairy. It was overcast and chilly (64 degrees) at 7:30 when we were to head out and I seriously debated whether or not to bring my rain jacket. I don't own much in the way of rain gear (one lousy plastic jacket for emergencies) so I figured I'd get wet either way, so I left it behind. As we rolled past the start line, it started to sprinkle. From there on out, it pretty much rained off and on for the first 40 miles or so. The rest stop at mile 35 was cold and miserable (though kudos to Bikefest for the awesome home baked goodies at the rest stops!) and had I not desparately had to pee...I would have suggested we kept going to stay somewhat warm. Anyway, after waiting in a long line (mile 35 was a mass rest stop for all the routes that day), we were able to get going again. It was COLD! We'd spent the summer purposely planning our rides mid-day to get used to the heat for this August ride...and here it was the coldest day of the season!

At mile 40 or so, the century riders split from everyone else, and we spent the next 60 or so miles riding virtually alone. About 5 miles after the split, the rain let up and the road started to dry (as did we, of course!). At about 48.5 miles, I noticed that we were almost half way and I was marvelling at how good I felt...I really felt strong, fresh and like another 50 miles would be a piece of cake. I told myself that at 50 miles, I'd share this observation with my husband. Less than half a mile later, we experienced one of the biggest hills of the ride. It wasn't all that remarkable except that until then, there had been very few. Additionally, because of the rain, we'd kept our pace down and subsequently, I hadn't yet challenged my cardiovascular capacity yet. That hill was MUCH more difficult than it should have been...and I could feel it in my heart. Oh well, I just chalked it up to almost 50 miles with no heart and lung warm up! I was wrong. I have no idea what happened, but from mile 49 to mile 62, it took everything I had just to keep my feet moving. My legs were sapped of all strength. The rest of me felt good...I just couldn't make my legs move. I even spent some time checking out my breaks, because I could have sworn that they were engaged!! At mile 62, there was a rest stop. I made sure to sit down (on a swing set..which was fun!) and rest my legs a bit. I also did some stretching and of course had a snack or two. Used the rest room, and then headed out again. I felt better, but no where near 100%. I was lucky if I had about 50% of my normal leg strength.

From mile 62 to mile 82, the wind was incredible. It was nice that everything was drying out and that the sun was making an appearance. In fact, it was a gorgeous day...barely making it to 80 degrees when the sun was out and crystal clear. But, back to the wind...unreal. It was gusting bad enough that I really had to work hard to keep my bike on the road. And when we were riding into it..it was so discouraging. I'd be going down hills and having to pedal to maintain my speed. The rest stop at mile 82 couldn't come fast enough...we were exhausted.

Some more snacking, a bit of resting under a tree and we were ready to tackle the last 18. I was prepared to take it slowly and DH agreed to accomodate me. As we started warming back up, I realized that I was back to 100%. Whatever had knocked me down was gone, and I was ready to go. We took off...flying. If I had a way to figure it, I'd say that our pace over that last 18 was likely close to 19-20 mph. When I saw my computer cross into triple digits, I got all giddy and the last 2 miles into town were a blur.

We had parked not 10 feet from the start/finish line (we were REALLY early that morning!), so we rode right through the line and to the car. Put the bikes on the car, and headed down to use the bathroom. While I was in the john, some of the guys that were behind us pulled up and asked my DH were our fanfare was....we agreed. It was super anti-climatic to finish our first century and not even have a single person around to acknowledge it! Weird.

Anyway, we are very proud of our accomplishment. I saw our average speed and was pleased. I thought for sure we'd be a lot slower after my 'dead-leg' segment.

Today we are relaxing...planning an easy 20 mile spin...and mowing the lawn!

Our next century is in one month as part of our local MS Bike Tour ride. After that...we haven't decided. What goals should be next? I'm thinking etiher mountain centuries or racing, my huband is investigating Randonneuring. What do you girls think?

**Veronica** · 08-13-2006, 07:45 AM

Fantastic! Way to go. Revel in what you've done!

Personally, I'd pick a hilly century for your next goal - but I like hills.

V.

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-13-2006, 08:00 AM

Whooo Hooo! CONGRATULATIONS on your first century! You should feel quite proud!

**redhot3368** · 08-13-2006, 08:00 AM

Congratulations!! That is great!
Your stats sound really good!!

Karen

**GLC1968** · 08-13-2006, 08:02 AM

Veronica - I like hills too!

That's why I'm leaning towards mountain centuries. Around here they call them 'challenge centuries' and I believe the classification means a minimum of 8000 ft of climbing. Sounds like a blast to me!!

**Cassandra_Cain** · 08-13-2006, 08:23 AM

Congratulations on your century ride.

You obviously didn't *just* finish, but rather, did so in style. Woo

Isn't it amazing what you've done in a year? I mean seriously, if I'd been at the bike shop where you and DH picked up the bikes and said, oh by the way, in a year you'll be riding 100+ miles. Would you have believed me?

Well done and keep us posted on your new riding exploits.

**SadieKate** · 08-13-2006, 08:33 AM

GLC, big congratulations! You did it!

I also get that mental/physical dip at about the same time, but somewhere along the years I realized that my body would perk up at the 80 mile mark or so. That drove me to try a double metric just for the science experiment. It was great to see what my body willing to do if I persevered beyond that dip.

**dobielover1** · 08-13-2006, 08:44 AM

Congrats!! Pat yourself on your back for a job well done! I'm hoping to do my first next year, so it's people like you that give me the inspiration to keep training.

**tulip** · 08-13-2006, 08:51 AM

Wonderful! As you know, I wanted to do that ride, but it was just too far to drive for the weekend. I'm glad you had fun. I did my longest ride in 20 years yesterday-70 miles- and it's amazing how accomplished I feel! You must feel the same way! Congratulations!

**Kano** · 08-13-2006, 10:22 AM

Ditto to what everyone's saying GLC!

Tulip too!

I think it was the day for long rides yesterday -- I did 62 myself (and DH is pouting a bit still, since his ride was "only" 40! He shouldn't pout - he had hills, and fast riders he was keeping up with!)

Karen in Boise

**Blueberry** · 08-13-2006, 10:54 AM

Congratulations!!!!! I'm so glad you went for it! So many riders shortened yesterday because of the weather, but it was great by the end!

I'll be interested to hear what you guys decide to tackle next! How about Blood Sweat and Gears next summer? (Not sure what else fits in between - that one has been on my goal list for a while, but I have lots more intermediate steps to hit first....)

**GLC1968** · 08-13-2006, 11:05 AM

Thanks, all! I knew you guys would share in my excitement!

Tulip - good job on 70 miles! Next year, maybe you can make it to Bikefest...we will likely plan to ride it again.

Kano - 62 is awesome!

Carrie Anne - We figured that all the people who might have just given the century a shot without having trained for it probably woke up, saw the rain and stayed home! Blood Sweat and Gears is definitely on our schedule. If we aren't ready for the full century, we'll at least tackle the half! I think we've got a couple of local metric's for this fall...and our MS ride, of course...

Of course, there's the Bridge to Bridge in September too...but I think that would be bitting off just a bit too much to chew at this point!

**Denise223** · 08-13-2006, 11:13 AM

CONGRATULATIONS GLC!!!

You wrote your incredible journey beautifully

!

WELL DONE

to you and your husband.

Have a wonderful day!

Denise

**im4smiley** · 08-13-2006, 12:16 PM

Awesome job, I am so excited for you!!! I also just started riding a year ago this weekend. I am thinking of doing a century in September it is supposed to be mostly flat. Even though I tell myself I love hills (psych myself out to get up them), and I am doing better with hills, I think my 1st century I want to be flat. So contratulations to you, and DH you did great job!!

**DrBee** · 08-13-2006, 12:31 PM

Great job GLC.. and tulip! That's a great accomplishment and something to be proud of!

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