First 30 Mile Event Ride-What I Need to Know

[Velocivixen]

Continued: I meant to say waterproof rain pants. They are the REI women's generic waterproof pants and I can say that they kept me dry.
At the end of the ride there was a moderately steep hill back to the Oregon Garden and I was hellbent on not having to walk. I was in gears 2 (front)& 1(rear) and I focused my gaze about 5 feet in front of my front tire and kept peddling. I finally had to shift into 2 & 3 because I guess I'm not a "spinner". As I reached the summit up into the garden's parking lot I was screaming going "WHOOOOHOOOO-I DID IT!" and was in tears. People were smiling and saying "Good Job". My HRM said I burned around 1500 calories, and they fed us salmon, risotto salad with goat cheese, chicken, salad, whole wheat rolls, cake, free beer (I don't drink but was tempted). I don't know if I'd do this kind of ride again. Some places had no shoulder with 6' gullys on the side so if you fell it was a long way down. Big trucks occasionally speeding by were scary.
I would definitely want a road bike for my next long ride.
Also, bought MKL "Lambda" pedals and they ARE very slick in rain. My feet slid off of them more than once and I was very p*ssed about this. I can't return them, so I guess they'll be my dry weather pedals.
Thanks for all your support. Although I did eat too much at the stop and I had indigestion as I rode on (I'm guessing all the blood was going to my legs).
What should I expect tomorrow in the way of soreness? I've taken tylenon and have been drinking tons of water to clear away the lactic acid so my muscles won't be sore.

[Bike Writer]

VV, you make us proud to persevere in the rain and wind and finish. Some times we build things up in our head to be a certain way and when it does not materalize that way we get frustrated and dissapointed, including being dissapointed in ourself, which I am sure, is why you felt like crying at one point. That tugged at my heart as we have all been there at some point and suffered near defeat, but you came back to overcome that defeat and finish the course.

Bully for you!

If you reread through your thread you realized that an all out assult might cause you problems and you wanted to avoid that and pace yourself, you got excited and caught up in the moment and abandoned that plan. That happens. To the best of people, often more than once.

You finished, what a huge accomplishment for you or anyone in that weather!

Congratulations to you.

[smilingcat]

Congratulation for finishing the ride under extreme condition.

As for tomorrow, depending on your conditioning, you may or may not be sore and stiff. Treat yourself to a nice long hot bath and better yet a full body massage. Preferably deep tissue or sports massage. It may hurt a little while getting the massage but it really helps with recovery and how you feel afterwards.

[Velocivixen]

Thanks for your suport. It took me awhile, when I was running races, to learn to pace myself so I could finish strong and although this wasn't a race I will have to learn how to pace myself for these endurance activities. I've never done it so I wasnt sure what or how much to eat, drink, when to go faster and when to conserve energy and go slower. Still a learning process. I just don't know if I'd do enough of these to get that all sorted out.
I do know that I am really hungry. I ate very well after the event, but I feel very hungry.
I wonder if it's normal to feel that way.

[Bike Chick]

Oh I hate that you had such awful weather and bad experience on your first 30 but a big thumbs up for sucking it up and finishing. I really think that cyclists enjoy suffering and it sounds like you did your fair share.

It sounds like it was a wonderful ride with great rest stops despite the weather. Be sure to do it next year so you have something to compare it to.

[smilingcat]

T I just don't know if I'd do enough of these to get that all sorted out.
I do know that I am really hungry. I ate very well after the event, but I feel very hungry.
I wonder if it's normal to feel that way.

Not to worry, you will get it sorted out about your pace unless you are serious type-A personality.

Being hungry after a ride like that is normal. You probably burned lot more calories than you might think. The cold wet rain and your body trying to keep your extremities warm and all that exercise, your body wants to replenish all that expended calories.

Treat yourself to a cheeseburgers or fried chicken. high calorie feel good food.

[Velocivixen]

Honestely, I've been depressed about losing my cat. I've been on the verge of tears often and now we have zero pets. We're going on vacation in a couple of months so want to wait until we return before adopting.
So there I was feeling low energy, depressed and my first group ride, first 30 mile ride, out in a rural setting with rain/wind. My emotions were raw, I felt vulnerable and actually got off and walked a little while trying to fight back tears of frustration. So not only was I out of breath by trying to ride too fast up a long rolling hill into a rainy headwind, but I was fighting back tears of overall feeling overwhelmed and it felt like someone was squeezing my larynx and I couldn't breathe. My friend who I signed up with was on a time schedule and had to be back home by a certain time, so I told her to go on ahead of me. She was about 10 minutes ahead the entire rest of the way. When DH & I arrived my friend had already eaten and had to go. She did not realize how raw, vulnerable, sad, frustrated I had been feeling....
So I really wasn't in a very good place, emotionally, for something that for me takes so much focus and energy. I have no energy....I am sad....I feel lonely. I know this will pass.

[radacrider]

Congrats on completing your first long ride, VV!!!! and {{{{hugs}}}}.

Do not think of this as a bad or hard ride, but an extremely successful, personal accomplishment. Completing a bad weather ride is tough enough, but to also be dealing with emotional issues adds that much more. I have always believed that riding is 80% mental - sticking it out when it is easier to quit, surviving those hills, riding despite frustrations - far more significant than any hill in my opinion.

be sure to remind yourself of your one of many cool accomplishments!