My first century in many years!!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I haven't posted in quite a while, but I guess I was waiting for something really noteworthy to post about! Well here tis! After my 2 car accidents ('98 and '99), lumbar fusion ('03) and spending the last 2yrs getting back into my fav sport... I did my first century since 1997!!

I posted on Andrea's race results post about her Tulsa Tough experience, but didn't want to hijack on my account. I'm NOT a racer - far from it. I enjoy watching those guys and gals though. I have a lot of respect for the energy and ah-hem...b*lls it takes to keep your wits about you at 30+mph in a corner! Anywhoo...

My first year back in the saddle, I did the inaugural Tulsa Tough ride (2006)... One lowly 100K that just about killt me. :P I had only gotten up to 40miles before then. It WAS Tulsa "tough". Hills hills and more hills.

Last year, I'd gotten better and decided to push my luck. I did both days of 100K hilly h*ll. It wasnt' fast and it wasn't real pretty, but I did it and survived!

This year, I thoroughly prepared myself for another trip on the double 100K routes. However, I got to thinkin... I've seen that route at least twice. And.. I've seen this blasted hilly 100K training ride of mine countless times. I want a change of scenery, by gum! When Saturday morning came and I was hammering along...I just decided for good... I need a fresh challenge... I'm gonna turn on this 100M route and see what happens.

Well, as it turns out, the weather was getting bad in Tulsa, but I guess I was moving so "fast" that I out ran it. I heard all h*ll broke loose in town, but I barely got a sprinkle in one town about 30miles out. I didn't see any lightning or anything. The good part for me (besides my lucky timing) was that it stayed fairly cool for the first 40 miles. I had overcast skies and a light breeze. Ahh... but this is Tulsa Tough... not Tulsa Easy.

About halfway through, the sun came out and the winds picked up. Headwinds, of course. There was no shortage of hills and the wind only seemed to get stronger as the day went on.

BY THE WAY... did I mention, I was riding solo? Yeeeeahhhhh... nice, huh? No draft for me on my first century attempt in a decade... LMAO.

So... long story even longer... I hit the wall at around mile 86. That was about 20miles past my longest ride this year. Up until then, I was focusing more on the absolutely beautiful countryside (hills and all). I kept thinking and saying aloud "you just can't see THIS on the 100K route". I was totally enjoying myself ...until I hit the wall. LOL

I couldn't distract myself from my waining energy. The hills and the wind were sapping me bigtime by this point. Luckily, these wonderful guys (and one gal) from a club in Springfield MO (Springbike.org) and I had been meeting at the last couple of rest stops. I asked if I could please hug a wheel for a bit. Oh gosh, they were sooooo nice! I tagged on for a while and then waved them on at the last rest stop.

I think I started hallucinating. LOL I kept thinkin... who signed me up for this abuse? HA... YOU did, you crazy woman!! They offered me sag a couple times, but being only 9miles from utopia...I wasn't about to take it. I'm too close!! I kept remembering my first ever attempt at a century at the 1995 HHH. I was on a Sears 110lb monstrosity and only (ONLY) made it 85miles. I still remember the comments back home after that. "why didn't you finish the last 15??" "uh... guys.. I DID EIGHTY FIVE!!".. anyway.. You gals probably can identify. I just wasn't about to go through that again.

And so... with a lot of whining "please make the hills go away" "make them stop"... I pulled through the finish line at 7:30hrs (bike computer time of 7:07). I stayed at that last rest stop about 15 min rehydrating and taking in electrolytes.. It was worth it!

Anyway... I am still on a high over this accomplishment. Next time, I will train in advance of this so I can enjoy it even more. But wow....

You gals... Tulsa Tough totally blows away HHH in EVERY category. Next year, you really need to consider it if you only take one trip for an epic ride (or two!). Two days of hilly rides here... great support...great crit racing to watch... and a very supportive community!

Hope to see a few more of you in Tulsa for TT '09!

[OakLeaf]

Wow, what an inspiration. Way to go!

[sbctwin]

Congratulations...ride well done

[Tuckervill]

That's awesome! What a woman!

Karen

[cosc]

Great accomplishment! Thanks for your ride report. Indeed sometimes it is only mind over matter that closes the gap where training left off.

[Tri Girl]

Way to go, you tough cookie! We had our tris at Lake El Reno, so I couldn't come do TT, but if they are on different weekends next year, I'm going to do it. My friend who was doing the crit had it cancelled because of the insane weather. I'm glad you didn't get caught up in it!!
Congrats on your first century in a decade. Great job!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Thanks ladies!

I'm still smiling. I've gotten lots of 'atta boy's from fellow riding buddies )(many who "only" did the 100K). One of them (a racer) commented that he didn't think even he'd ever done a century solo. That just made me feel awesome. He's a really strong rider.

Something has just changed in the last couple weeks of my training. I thought I was feeling tight in the legs, but now I think its some strange strength-feeling. I used to think it was a tired feeling but even that has changed now. I think I'm just getting stronger (not necessarily faster yet though). That's okay. A comfortable 16avg is usually where I hang - lots of hills 'round here.

I really just enjoy cruising around the countryside. You know... it took me getting taken OFF my bicycle (ie - car accidents, surgeries, etc) to REALLY appreciate how beautiful everything looks out on the road OUTSIDE of a car. Getting back in the saddle 2yrs ago was the best medicine. And even though I still have some chronic pain which may never go away, I'm thankful that I AM back in the saddle. I'm back and i'm TOUGH, baby(ies)!!

Thanks for cheering on a relative stranger! This is a great board.

[Harley]

WOW!!! that's an awesome story and experience!!
Well Done!!!