Day 139

Day 139: Today was Blazing Saddles Century and there is one reason the call it Blazing Saddles, and I'll let you figure that out. =) Ok I guess I'll tell you, it was HOT and that 100 miles really tested me today. Even though I was told to take the weekend off because of my quads, i knew I couldn't afford to do that so that left me do do one thing. Do the 100 miles.  =)  I really wasn't sure how my quads would feel on the bike, but just walking around they felt tight and I could feel a soreness in them. In my mind I was doing the 100 miles, but if my quads were in pain I would cut it off early. Starting out my quads were feeling good and the only time I felt them was if I was standing to climb a hill so I was happy and feeling good that I will get the 100 miles in. On and one more thing, not only was this Century HOT but it was also HILLY. The first half of the ride was actually very good and it was a comfortable temperature. I was on cruise control at a nice pace. I was trying to pace myself today and I was doing a good job at it and I was just completely focused on that task. Around mile 40 I swear every minute it just got hotter and hotter and the breeze one the bike was hot as well. So not only was it getting hotter by the minute, but it was also getting hillier and hillier. I was feeling strong on the hills and even though it was hot I was enjoying the ride and I was happy about the way I was riding. Then mile 62 hit and while I was at the SAG stop something happened that I don't care to talk about and when it was time to get on the bike my head was just not in the game anymore. The last 38 miles from here on out just kept going down hill. I kept trying to get my head back in it, because the ride was not getting easier. The hills were not ending and the temperature kept rising. With my head not in the ride anymore around mile 80 was the lowest of all lows. I was starting to doubt myself and all the training I was doing and I just wanted to stop and not do this anymore. Mentally I have been so good through my training and today I just lost my mental toughness. After about 5 miles I was able to regain my composure and focus a little, but it still was not there and I was so over this ride and just ready to be home. I managed to push through and finish but the last 5 miles I was at snail pace and I was doing anything to just get back. I learned a lot on this ride and I am glad I did push through and didn't give up, when that is all I wanted to do. Since the ride turned to crap and it was crazy hot I just wanted to be on my way home, but I did force myself to at least do 1 mile. Boy am I glad I just did a mile my quads were not happy with me trying to run. I did run that mile with a few people which help take the pain off my mind a little especially when we ran through part of a cemetery and the dead jokes started coming out. HAHA The most important thing is that I got my bike in and I didn't give up, but boy was I glad to get home even though I had to dry my bike off since I got caught in a rain storm driving home.

Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.  ~Albert Einstein