I failed

[Tri Girl]

Are you acclimated to the heat yet? I know that I'm not, and the other day when it was 100, I really struggled to get in 20 (and I'm in good cycling shape). The heat can really zap you. One thing that I've found helpful in especially hot conditions is to use endurolytes http://www.hammernutrition.com/za/HN...0047&AMI=10104
I started using them when tri training, and now I use them ALL the time in the heat. Every endurance athlete I know swears by them.
Doesn't mean I won't have trouble, but I know for certain that it helps me maintain my stamina/endurance in the heat. I take 2 an hour.

I'm not trying to push drugs here, but that's what helps me in the heat.


I think you did quite well. Really, going 56 in that heat when your longest ride has been 30 is impressive. Really.

[tulip]

What is with these posts saying that "I failed/I suck/I'm horrible?" It's just a ride, people!

Like everyone else said, you did not fail.

Please, let's try to phrase things a bit more positively. Set a healthy example for our kids, etc.

[sundial]

Babynoahsmom, the humidity has been extremely bad lately and it's enough to make even the best riders cry uncle. Please don't be so hard on yourself. That was an excellent ride considering our area has been under a heat advisory.

FWIW, the officials shortened the ride this year at the Sea Otter Classic because the temps were in the 90's. Some of the top pros were dropping like flies due to the heat.

[papaver]

Can you change your title from 'I Failed' into 'I tried'???

[babynoahsmom]

Thanks for the good advice. No, I am not going to change the title. What ever happened with it being ok to fail? I set a goal, I did not make it. I failed. So what? I will take something away from this in the end. I have gotten some great advice and I will do better next time. I have four boys. I think if you teach your kids they will fail sometimes, they will be prepared and understand how to handle it and move forward. Life is not all roses and winning. Life is not always positive either. I think it is a better example to my boys to say Mommy set s goal and didn't make it, but I am learning from it. My nine year old son is becoming a very strong little rider. I think by speaking openly with him aobut my triumphs and my failures, he may learn that just because you don't make your goal the first time, that is ok and you should try again. And to TxDoc, I am a nurse and I plan on talking to my doc tomorrow. I am pretty sure I wiped out my electrolytes.

[BarbaraAlys]

babynoahsmom;440833I failed. So what? I will take something away from this in the end.

You know, that is really putting it in perspective for me. By being alowed to say "I failed" somehow helps it not become "I am a failure"...two very different things.

We learn from our failures more than our accomplishments; good for you for being able to keep things in perspective.

BarbaraAlys

[uforgot]

Sounds like it was quite a ride Lorie! Thanks for putting it all in perspective. Any pics? Yeesh, it's just been brutal lately. Finally some relief today.

I went to the Big Dam Bridge last July when I had a conference in Tennessee. (I decided to take a long detour) I loved it! I had never been to Little Rock, and the thing I noticed was that it had to be the friendliest city I had ever been to! The Bridge is impressive, but I also had to hit the Clinton Library while I was there. The people I met were so helpful and talkative. I had trouble with my brakes and everyone on the Bridge wanted to help. Whether or not you go to the organized ride, the Bridge (and Little Rock) is worth the trip. I wanted a T-shirt though...they need to sell Big Dam Bridge T-shirts! (Yes, I want a Dam T-shirt)

[crazycanuck]

BNM, I must tell you about my first MTB Enduro event in 06. Long story but it has a point...

It's supposed to be 100km but it ended up being about 115km. (this year it was about 120km)Anyways, I think I trained for it but thought being the SW of Western Australia, it wouldn't be hot on the event weekend. Ermm..wrong..It turned out to be 38C that day, no shade, some bits on gravel roads & it was all UPHILL...I remember the second half of stage 3 very clearly: I couldn't stand it any longer so I stood on the side of the trail & threw my helmet in the bush. AGHGH. Got back on my bike & continued but didn't do stage 4..

Luckily the volunteer SES crews were out with thier little water tankers hosing us down...Everyone was suffering & tons of folks dropped out after stage 2 or 3. I felt like a twit not continuing but I didn't feel bad as I knew others decided to stop. That didn't stop me from doing it in 07 & then again this year.

This year.. was a disaster. First, no one knew the "exact" distances the stages were(25km, 27km?)..Second, there were few signposts & I followed someone who was in the FAST group who'd just come onto the trail. AGHGHG. I (and about 5 others)ended up doing the first section 1 1/2 times. It started to pour, thunder & had to take what turned out to be a rather long shortcut . I decided to stop because I knew I wouldn't have time to get to the stage 3 point, friends that had my nutrition had left & I had lost the frame of mind. Good decision because the second stage was a mud fest...

Now, if you feel like a twit, I feel even funnier..I mentioned I took a wrong turn..It turns out I was a 1km away from the end of the stage... I don't consider it a failure. I'm not sure of the adjective to use...It is funny though!


I will train & do it again next year..

[kenyonchris]

Thanks for the good advice. No, I am not going to change the title. What ever happened with it being ok to fail? I set a goal, I did not make it. I failed. So what? I will take something away from this in the end. I have gotten some great advice and I will do better next time. I have four boys. I think if you teach your kids they will fail sometimes, they will be prepared and understand how to handle it and move forward. Life is not all roses and winning. Life is not always positive either. I think it is a better example to my boys to say Mommy set s goal and didn't make it, but I am learning from it. My nine year old son is becoming a very strong little rider. I think by speaking openly with him aobut my triumphs and my failures, he may learn that just because you don't make your goal the first time, that is ok and you should try again. And to TxDoc, I am a nurse and I plan on talking to my doc tomorrow. I am pretty sure I wiped out my electrolytes.

YAY!!!! I am not a fan of this "feel good all the time" mentality...failing is different than (hold thumb and forefinger up to forehead) "LOSER." Sugar coating and participation awards don't change the facts. I have seen a lot of people who never want their kids to fail, are scared to fail themselves, and in doing that they lead unhappy, unadventurous, lives.

We learn just as much from failing as from winning, and winning is relative. I am THE MOST competitive person, but it is relative to myself, not necessarily others (although sometimes my best happens to be better than everyone else's, sometimes it is to just finish).

I have taught competitive sports my whole life (before I became a cop I coached riders doing three day eventing). If my students didn't perform to the best of their abilities on any given day (and their best might be different from day to day), they heard about it from me. I pushed them (and myself) to work harder, try harder, set high goals. Sometimes they would finish a dressage test or cross country course and see what they described as "my vein" and know that they had not put forth their best effort. It wasn't feel good riding, it was good riding. The rewards might have been harder to attain, but they were genuine.

Not everyone shares this view, that's cool. I'm sure, though, that Baby knows what to change and work on for next time, and can face her problems head on. This one becomes a shrug it off and try again.

[Zen]

We learn just as much from failing as from winning, and winning is relative.

Readers digest condensed version.

[babynoahsmom]

YAY!!!! I am not a fan of this "feel good all the time" mentality...failing is different than (hold thumb and forefinger up to forehead) "LOSER." Sugar coating and participation awards don't change the facts. I have seen a lot of people who never want their kids to fail, are scared to fail themselves, and in doing that they lead unhappy, unadventurous, lives.

We learn just as much from failing as from winning, and winning is relative. I am THE MOST competitive person, but it is relative to myself, not necessarily others (although sometimes my best happens to be better than everyone else's, sometimes it is to just finish).

I have taught competitive sports my whole life (before I became a cop I coached riders doing three day eventing). If my students didn't perform to the best of their abilities on any given day (and their best might be different from day to day), they heard about it from me. I pushed them (and myself) to work harder, try harder, set high goals. Sometimes they would finish a dressage test or cross country course and see what they described as "my vein" and know that they had not put forth their best effort. It wasn't feel good riding, it was good riding. The rewards might have been harder to attain, but they were genuine.

Not everyone shares this view, that's cool. I'm sure, though, that Baby knows what to change and work on for next time, and can face her problems head on. This one becomes a shrug it off and try again.

Thanks for giving me a good laugh to start my day off with! Will ride tonight.