Very Old Ride Report from Scared First Timer!

[gabriellesca]

Hi Guys - I don't know if anyone remembers me but back around August 23rd I posted here quite 'terrified' to do my first Century with Team in Training. Several people asked me to let them know how it went and with the ride, work, and some personal stuff I am just now getting to write.

I could write volumes on the event. It was all so new to me. I've never done anything like this before. I am 50+ pounds overweight - never participated in a sport before - and really signed up to see if I could raise the money and if I had it in me to actually ride 100 miles. I've always felt like such a lazy slob. Training with Team in Training all summer was great but I kept hearing it would change my life, but I never felt it ... until the event!

I did the Mad River Valley Century up in Vermont and it was just incredible. I didn't get the boost I thought I would on the day from all the excitement - but it was really fun to do the ride with the team and to be there and have the culmination of all my training finally happen. I did great the first 50 - felt really good - was averaging around 14mph - sticking strictly to GU - the course was beautiful - the weather was perfect. It was just great. The stops were well stocked but set up at 20, 60, and 80 which was not great because even I didn't need the 20 mile stop but was out of water and really needed a stop around 40. Anyway ... when I pulled out of the 60 mile stop I started to feel a bit sick but still felt good and had plenty of energy.

By mile 75, my stomach was SHOT - I felt like I was going to throw up - nothing new for me as I had been battling this all season. But the GU did help. At the mile 80 stop I really lost it - mostly because my sister and brother-in-law were there and so incredible to me that day that I felt overwhelmed by their presence and I think having them there with me made it easier for me to break down a bit. But I rode out - and did the final 23 miles - VERY slow. Second 1/2 of the ride I averaged 12 mph. I felt really sick and emotional those last 20 - walked my bike up three hills in the 'Granville Gulf' - but riding those last 2 miles with my coach and mentors was so incredible - so awesome - so emotional. I was sobbing I was so happy it was over and I had actually done it. Most of team was waiting for me, even though they had been in for almost 2 hours. Cheering, clapping, some were crying. They were all over me the minute I pulled in. It was incredible!

It took me 9 hours 47 minutes (including stops) but it was worth every single moment this past summer, and it has been a really hard Summer at times. TOTALLY changed my life! Just got my tattoo today '103' in roman numerals on the inside of my ankle - 103 miles that really proved to me what I am capable of.

I haven't been back on my bike - mostly out of schedule and laziness - but I think I'm doing 50 miles of the Seacoast Century in NH with some team members next weekend. I hear its pretty flat and most think I should be fine to ride 50!

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement. I don't know if I'm 'hooked' and if cycling will become a major part of my life - but I do know it changed it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I am awed. That's an amazing saga!
CONGRATULATIONS for an incredible job!!!!

Hey your blog account with the photos is wonderful.

[gabriellesca]

Thanks BSG ... My blog is far more intense and I go on and on ... but it really was a life-changing event for me and I can't help but want to write about it. The pics on my blog show how crazy emotional it was for me:

www.gabriellesca.blogspot.com

[sbctwin]

Congratulations. Riding a bike has freed me in so ways. I tend to get down on myself a lot, but when I ride my bike, I feel 'accomplished'. I am glad you made it for the people your rode for and especially for yourself.

[tulip]

That is awesome! I've been riding for 25+ years, raced in college, think of myself as a pretty good cyclist...BUT I've only once ridden a century when I was 19 (which was a long time ago). You have done a difficult and great thing!

Congratulations!

[amy]

Good for you! You are an inspiration.

[salsabike]

Gabriellesca, that is so wonderful! Thanks for letting us know--we were wondering how it all went. You should be incredibly proud of yourself.

[andtckrtoo]

YEAH!!!! I had tears in my eyes reading your post! I remember reading the first post and hearing how you were going from scared to excited to ride the century. I was cheering you on on race day. I am sooo glad you posted your report! How absolutely wonderful!!!! What a ride! And oh man, I'm so happy your team pulled through for you! Great job at finishing even though you felt sick. I love the tatoo! I hope you look at that every time you start to feel down - you're a fabulous woman who can accomplish anything she sets out to do. You've proven that beyond a doubt.

[luvmypwds]

That is one inspiring story Gabrielle. Congratulations!!

[Zen]

You have done a difficult and great thing!

Congratulations!

Amen to that. There are many of us here who've never done such a thing. You're truly an inspiration.

now get back on your bike

[mimitabby]

excuse me, a 10 hour century is GREAT! congratulations!!
sounds to me like maybe you just started too fast? You really did a long hard ride. I'm very impressed.

[PinkBike]

i just want to add congrats for just getting out and getting on the bike and starting the process! i read the blog and also had tears, how exciting for you! that's great, you are indeed an inspiration. thanks for having the honesty and guts to take us through everything you were feeling throughout.

[Grog]

Fantastic! Congratulations!

[lph]

Wooo - amazing! Well done!

[wildhawk]

You are awesome!! Thank you so much for telling your story - I am totally inspired by you and can’t wait until I get a century under my belt! I enjoyed looking at your blog too - great stats. You did an incredible job and I am so happy that you had such awesome support!!