First 30 Mile Event Ride-What I Need to Know

[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!

[Velocivixen]

Thanks radacrider. I know you're right about it being "mental". My friend actually has done a 500+ mile ride around Canada with a group. It rained a lot and she was the only one who completed the entire trip even through the rain. I think it helps to have group/ride cycling experience to know how to pace, adjust, etc. in times where it just sucks. Now I have some experience and I will know how to adjust better. Even for this ride I spoke with several riders after the event and they had signed up for the 68 mile ride and bailed out after 30-40 due to the weather.

[jdubble]

Thanks radacrider. I know you're right about it being "mental". My friend actually has done a 500+ mile ride around Canada with a group. It rained a lot and she was the only one who completed the entire trip even through the rain. I think it helps to have group/ride cycling experience to know how to pace, adjust, etc. in times where it just sucks. Now I have some experience and I will know how to adjust better. Even for this ride I spoke with several riders after the event and they had signed up for the 68 mile ride and bailed out after 30-40 due to the weather.

I'm proud of you for getting out and doing it! My husband and I had a rare morning alone (the kids were at my parents') and were going to go for a ride together, something we never get to do. We both woke up, looked outside, and agreed that we'd rather stay in and read the paper So kudos to you for doing that ride! It was NASTY out there yesterday!

Have you done any of the Woodstock Bike Gallery Ladies-only rides? They have them twice a month. I used to ride with the ladies out of the Hollywood shop, and it was always a good ride. Got me used to riding in a group again and pacing for a 30+ mile ride.