I did my first one yesterday...Tour deCure. I was pleased to have completed the ride but disappointed in how I felt at the end of the ride. I was great until mile 50. The last 15 were the pits, with the last five being the worst. It was ungodly hot and humid. I drank plenty of fluid throughout the ride and I think I fueled well at each stop. My husband and son were there at the end to meet me and my first comment was "I feel like $hit!". I was so grumpy, my lower back was so tight and my upper back between my shoulder blades was sore. No bottom pain though! I recovered pretty quick, within 15 minutes. Then I ate pasta, salad and bread, drank more water. I was really surprised that I was not "dead" for the rest of the day. I was incredibly hungry and ate tons and drank tons of water, just lazed around, took a cat nap, and was able to stay awake and engaged with the family until 11. I slept great and woke up without any soreness. Today I did not ride but plan on riding tomorrow. The ride took me 4.5 hours, which is right on for my avg speed...14.4 mph. I'm slow but steady. I ride a Lemond Buenos Aires and love it.

Do you think my "discomfort" was due to lack of training? I have been riding regularly since March to prep for this. I've been riding for around 4 years with one year off for cancer treatments. That finished in October. Could it be due to lack of strength...like in my abs, lower back or upper back? I'm small framed and around 118, age 45. I currently do no strength training, just ride and sometimes abs. I stretch each time I ride. Because of how I finished yesterday, I'm in no hurry to do another but I know I will want to in the not so distant future. Any thoughts or suggestions?