I failed!

[indysteel]

I think you did GREAT! You were sick the week before and still did 80 miles? Don't be so hard on yourself and celebrate what you did

I'll second that.

[MojoGrrl]

Thanks, all :/ I did manage to get 5600 feet of climbing (on a new, heavier bike) which isn't too shabby, I guess. And like Murielalex said, I was listening to my body for a change and accepting that I just wasn't in shape for the rest of that ride. For reference, this is where I gave up - a climb with 22% grade - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=3&theater - the picture doesn't even show how terrible it is. I went for a 40-mile ride today so I feel a little better. I do need to eat more protein and I got some dietary supplements today that I think might help with the digestive problems - they don't really feel like a parasitic infection but more like the inflammatory colitis kind of stuff I had after I got my gallbladder out a few years ago, so I'm going to treat it the way the internet (ha ha) recommends treating post-gallbladder removal problem. If it doesn't get better within a few weeks I'll go to the doctor.

[TigerMom]

I'm impressed, even though you did not finish. You did all that uphill climbing!