I failed

[Pyannyplayer]

As Claudia said, I was at Tour de Corn as well and it was DANGED HOT and DANGED HUMID!! It hit Missouri earlier this past week and it's been HOT, HOT, HOT! I was lucky (?) in that I've ridden 7 of the last 8 days in this weather, so I was ready for it. I was sweating before I even got on my bike yesterday!

That being said, please don't say you failed! You learned something about yourself and what you might need to do next time you're faced with similar circumstances. I do know that the people I was riding with went through water, electrolytes, gatorade, shotblocks, etc., like they were going out of style. I drank at least 4 bottles of water, one bottle of Powerade, and a couple cookies....and one ear of corn during the ride. I still, after the ride, drank water like there was no tomorrow. It was 100 degrees when I finished at 11:00 a.m.! I heard stories of a couple of people being taken by ambulance because of heat stroke (don't know if that's true), but knowing when to say when, at least in my mind, is important. NEVER risk yourself....ever. It's just not worth it.

Flats are not easy. This ride had one "hill", it was an 18 foot ascend and descend. Yes, that's right, EIGHTEEN feet. Our total change in elevation was 58 feet, we climbed a total of 400 feet (I did the 30 mile ride this year; did the 60 last year; however it's pretty much the same). You pedal on a flat CONSTANTLY or you slow down/stop. Add to the mix the fact that there was NO SHADE on this ride, only cornfields...it made this ride a little tricky.

I live in the Ozarks and my rides typically have 2000 total feet of climbing for a 60 mile ride with a change in elevation of 600 feet. Whether a route is flat or hilly, in my humble opinion, does not matter. They are each hard in their own way.

The nice thing with this ride, though, is the GREAT SAG service and really helpful people. One of my sons and his friend rode the ride and anytime I stopped to wait for them, a SAG wagon was there, asking if we needed help. That was really reassuring.

I think you did just fine! No reason to feel bad or anything at all!

Training....hhmmmm...that's a good question. I would do a few longer rides just for mileage sake, and the tough thing - probably the toughest thing - about a flat ride is no break. You pedal and pedal and pedal and then pedal some more. You don't get to ZOOM downhill and get a breeze and a little of a breather.

You did GREAT! Enjoy what you accomplished!

Lorie

[Zen]

Heh.

I did a ride this weekend and I did not fail. Nor did I do the amount of miles I intended but i kind of knew that I wouldn't since I was woefully undertrained.

I had a great time, though.

This language is unacceptable and you must be punished

[babynoahsmom]

As Claudia said, I was at Tour de Corn as well and it was DANGED HOT and DANGED HUMID!! It hit Missouri earlier this past week and it's been HOT, HOT, HOT! I was lucky (?) in that I've ridden 7 of the last 8 days in this weather, so I was ready for it. I was sweating before I even got on my bike yesterday!

That being said, please don't say you failed! You learned something about yourself and what you might need to do next time you're faced with similar circumstances. I do know that the people I was riding with went through water, electrolytes, gatorade, shotblocks, etc., like they were going out of style. I drank at least 4 bottles of water, one bottle of Powerade, and a couple cookies....and one ear of corn during the ride. I still, after the ride, drank water like there was no tomorrow. It was 100 degrees when I finished at 11:00 a.m.! I heard stories of a couple of people being taken by ambulance because of heat stroke (don't know if that's true), but knowing when to say when, at least in my mind, is important. NEVER risk yourself....ever. It's just not worth it.

Flats are not easy. This ride had one "hill", it was an 18 foot ascend and descend. Yes, that's right, EIGHTEEN feet. Our total change in elevation was 58 feet, we climbed a total of 400 feet (I did the 30 mile ride this year; did the 60 last year; however it's pretty much the same). You pedal on a flat CONSTANTLY or you slow down/stop. Add to the mix the fact that there was NO SHADE on this ride, only cornfields...it made this ride a little tricky.

I live in the Ozarks and my rides typically have 2000 total feet of climbing for a 60 mile ride with a change in elevation of 600 feet. Whether a route is flat or hilly, in my humble opinion, does not matter. They are each hard in their own way.

The nice thing with this ride, though, is the GREAT SAG service and really helpful people. One of my sons and his friend rode the ride and anytime I stopped to wait for them, a SAG wagon was there, asking if we needed help. That was really reassuring.

I think you did just fine! No reason to feel bad or anything at all!

Training....hhmmmm...that's a good question. I would do a few longer rides just for mileage sake, and the tough thing - probably the toughest thing - about a flat ride is no break. You pedal and pedal and pedal and then pedal some more. You don't get to ZOOM downhill and get a breeze and a little of a breather.

You did GREAT! Enjoy what you accomplished!

Lorie

Yes, the SAG was wonderful. Several times the Ambulance crew tried to pick me up. (I can see their boss telling them, "We have to get at least one run out of this to get our money back today. You go out there and find us a good one!) I must have really looked like a hot prospect! I did the thirty last year without any problem, of course last year although it was a little windy, it was not hot. I just wasn't prepared for the heat. You are right too about flat rises. I rode one hill her last year in a thiry that had an 11% grade, but then I got to merrily sail down the other side for quite a while. I have forgiven my bike and cleaned her up. My computer messed up for about eight miles yesterday so I spent those miles thinking about taking a claw hammer to it. That at least was very motivating. Tomorrow evening when it cools down, I think I will do an easy 15. Congrats on doing the thirty. Wish I had joined you!

[TrekTheKaty]

Yes, the SAG was wonderful. Several times the Ambulance crew tried to pick me up. (I can see their boss telling them, "We have to get at least one run out of this to get our money back today. You go out there and find us a good one!) I must have really looked like a hot prospect! !

I once ran a marathon where the SAG bus was hovering 20 feet behind our group that was still ahead of the cut-off splits. Thanks to the wind, we were sucking exhaust. Someone finally turned around and said "GO AWAY. We're not quitting." He peeled off!

Little Rock is VERY friendly. That's why I'm eager to come back. I did the half marathon and stayed at a Hampton Inn quite a ways from the start. They were aware of the race and cheered me on coming and going. In on section, the local mayor was standing at the bridge clapping and cheering--and I'm a slow runner--so he'd been out there awhile!

I stopped at the Cracker Barrel on the way out of town and was treated like a rock star. The town was very aware of the event and supportive. St. Louis could learn something from them