Hard ride today... I contemplated giving up

[KSH]

Good for you, KSH! Your plan sounds good. Keep us posted. Funny how you had fun on one ride, and the other was misery. It goes like that some days. Take care, Lise

Hee-hee... well... when you do a 30 mile ride where you get to stop, rest, refill your water bottle, eat, use the restroom... and you average 13 MPH with no hills... it makes for a better ride!

Two totally different beasts. I like the beast that is snuggly and cute... not the one with big fangs and talons! HA!

[Lise]

Hee-hee... well... when you do a 30 mile ride where you get to stop, rest, refill your water bottle, eat, use the restroom... and you average 13 MPH with no hills... it makes for a better ride!

Two totally different beasts. I like the beast that is snuggly and cute... not the one with big fangs and talons! HA!

YAH! That's my kinda ride! L.

[VenusdeVelo]

KSH,
I loved your first post. no I am not some sado-masochistic type person...it's just that to know that others have been in the same (low) place makes one feel "not so alone". I read each line and said "yep, remember that ride", "yep, remember that one too"...and I could so remember feeling like giving up, said the same things you did to myself. It was like I was there with you!!

I think everyone here has propped you back up, and you probably propped yourself back up after the ride once you realized what you accomplished. I just think it's important to know you are not alone, and there are lots of us that ride to accomplish something for ourselves, not for what others think we should do. Yes, I'd love to average 20mph and an 8 min mile, but, I need to balance my life with the level of work I am also willing to put in.

I did a MTB race years back after a pitiful training season and although I was about 10th from last, it was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the the biggest accomplishment as well. I've always had the "brain" thing going...undergrad, grad degree, rapid career, but none of that seems to be as big of an accomplishment as these races and rides, even if I end up at the back of the pack! It's all relative.

Best of luck, best of training and best of fun on your rides!!

[KSH]

Good for you, KSH! Your plan sounds good. Keep us posted. Funny how you had fun on one ride, and the other was misery. It goes like that some days. Take care, Lise

I DID IT!!!!

I stuck to my plan!

Before I left the house... I ate enough food. I also packed food on my bike that I could get to easily.

During my ride... I ate on gel blocks... and I made sure I didn't get hungry.

I memorized the roads we went on (by making up a story in my head... and there were lots of roads we turned on!)... and when we got to 18 miles I stopped and rested because I knew I was getting tired and I was pretty much dropped.

Then, I turned around and find my way all the back to shop.

I HAD A GREAT RIDE!!!

I got to ride half the way with a group... and half the way by myself, at my own pace.

So... great ride... great time! And now I have the confidence to know that I won't get lost!

Overall, my training has been going great! I have focused on what I can do, and making sure that I fun doing it!


Unfortunately though, this other girl did get lost. Luckily, she found a freeway and called her Dad to pick her up and she got back to the shop that way.