So the plan was to meet up with some friends this morning but when i woke up i had a text message that one of them was ill and the other couldnt make it either so i had to make the decision if i was still going to go or not. something else i had to contend with was the knowledge that it would be a high of 45 degrees today.
So i made the decision to go out anyway and packed my stuff into the car. Took my bike off the trainer and hooked it to the back of the car. felt pretty good that i would be warm enough as i had the woolen socks on and another pair over them as well. i had recently bought a pair of toe covers for my shoes as well so i was all set to go.
i got down to the parking lot from where i ride and got all set up. at this stage my car was telling me that it was 37 degrees and was a little concerned that there might be a bit of ice around as it was snowing and raining yesterday and i had a lot of shady areas to ride through and was sure there would be a few puddles around.
the ride:
the ride started off pretty well although it was cold and passed a few icy puddles but only saw them on the grass and didn't come across any ice on the pathway i was riding on. right away i knew i would have an issue with my fingers as i don't have proper winter gloves yet and was riding in my normal fingerless gloves. they were freezing right from when i started and i wished i could stick them in a pocket or something, naturally i couldn't as i was doing 20mph and was on a narrow little pathway that was swerving around trees and stuff. luckily for me near the lake i ride around is a store called richardson bike mart and i whipped out my phone to find directions to it and stopped by and bought some nice full finger gloves that definitely made my ride more comfortable.
the mind plays funny tricks on you when you are involved in endurance events like this and its difficult to explain to normal people ( as we are not normal ) exactly how tough it really is.
for example, at mile 12 i was telling myself thats its really cold outside and no-one will blame me for only doing 25 miles today as apposed to the planned 56 and it would be pretty easy for me to go back to my car. lucky for me i fought through that and kept riding. at mile 25 it came back and i told myself surely 30 miles would be enough for today and i could do the rest on he trainer at home. then i reminded myself that with the wife and kid at home, that would never happen. so i fought through that and carried on riding. it was about this time that the wind picked up a little bit and my feet started getting cold.
mile 30 - 40 really went well and my legs felt strong and then i remembered at 40 that i still had 16 miles left to go before i was finished. i dont care who you are but thats enough to take the wind out of anybodies sails. 40 - 50 was ok and it was the last time up the 3 hills that hug the west side of the lake. i have just recently discovered them and am planning on getting to know them a lot better over the next year.
mile 50 was when i hit my wall. my legs were DONE. i found it funny that once again, the last 10 miles of my ride were marred by a 100mph headwind. why does it always happen to me.
im sure it wasnt quite 100mph but after 50 miles it sure did feel like it. if anyone is planning on doing i ride of this distance there are a few things you need to remember to take into consideration.
a: weather, be sure to be warm enough or cool enough, if its hot outside.
b: nutrition, find what works for you. try different types of stuff. Gu gives me stomach cramps at about 2 hours so i've changed to hammer gel now and it seems to be working really well for me.
c: water, remember u should be drinking about a bottle of water an hour, probably more in the summer when you sweat a lot. try not to drink to much as you will have to stop and pee if you have to much.
d: equipment, you are going a long way from home or your car, take your phone and wallet with u incase you might need them. i'm sure i don't need to tell you about flat tire kit. also tell someone where you are going and what time to expect you back. even better ride with someone else. you can never be to safe.
all in all, i had a great ride. its the first time i did that distance all by myself and physically, as well as mentally, it was really tough and goes a long way towards gaining 70.3 experience. which is what im training for next year.
i am setting up a little website as well to give people a better idea as to what it takes to compete in triathlon and im also hoping to sell some nutrition etc on it to help me fund my new triathlon habit.
please have a look at it, even though its still under construction in a few areas and feel free to give me some ideas as to how i can make it better. if you think its crap, you can tell me that as well.
http://tinyurl.com/yd55exm
happy training
jason
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