It was time to line up for the start of the race. I registered as a Cat 5 which meant I got to start earlier, but I started with the men. I was in a pack of 50 men, so it was kind of cool being the only woman in the group.
Logan - Preston 34 Miles
This leg of the race was of course the easiest part, we were in a good size pace line, the roads were flat, and everyone was fresh. We weren't going as fast as I thought we would so I was pretty happy about that, I think we averaged about 23-24 mph. We hit Preston, most of the group fed on the fly which meant they did not stop to get water or food, it was in a bag they grabbed while riding by. This was the last I saw of my group. Captn' (father-in-law), Scott (Seth's cousin), and I all stopped to get water bottles and food. Most everyone else kept riding.
Preston -Montpelier 46 Miles
This part of the race is where things start to get a little sucky. So we didn't have a group to ride with anymore so it was just the 3 of us. Then somehow the Captn' fell off the back, I don't know when it happened I just looked back and he was gone. We had a plan that we would wait for each other at the top of the climb. That's right we had a pretty big climb ahead of us. Anyway I will just summarize what happened.
Climb begins - Eugie slows down - Scott takes off - Jay the Dentist past me - just about everyone past me - I hate guys - the climb was long and took forever - I finally get to the top - I didn't feel well - waited for the Captn' - no one else waited, Captn' and I by ourselves for plentysix miles to go - suck - descent - fast - we were flying to Montpelier - feeling better - stopped feeling better - feel like crap - slowing down - get in to town to the feed zone - grabbed new water bottles - sat in the middle of the road while Scott's wife lathered me down with sunscreen.
Montpelier - Afton 45 Miles
Don't remember much - climbing - wind from all directions - a lot of climbing - some steep climbing - I wanted to vomit for the rest of the day - body hurts - legs cramping - what is going on with me?
Afton - Alpine 35 miles
Again don't remember much - didn't talk much to Captn' - I couldn't spare the calories - I hate riding my bike - playing mental game on my bike to keep my on it - stopped on the side of the road - laid in the grass - heaven - everything hurts - met another woman on the ride and she told me this was harder for her the natural childbirth - okay not afraid of labor.
Alpine - Teton Village 47 miles
I hate riding my bike - hate it - scenery was beautiful but who cares - I'm in hell - I hate riding my bike - I kept going slower and slower - I stopped eating - contemplating crashing to get me off this bike - no just stay on and finish - roll into Jackson - Oh we must be close to the finish - no - not at all - still so far away - turned right to go to Teton Village - I must be close - nope again - where the hell is the end of this race - I want to die - I hate biking - I am selling my bike - don't anyone talk to me - finally I think I see something - nope nothing - how long is this final stretch? - who planned this course? - why did I do this? - I now can see the finishing line - Captn' made me sprint to the finish - I hate biking - Thank heaven it is finally over!
Teton Village - Recovery
There is something about Lotoja that makes people lose their desire to ride their bikes. Once you cross the finish line there is a bike path to the parking area it's about .5 miles away. No one rides their bike there, everyone walks their bike back. It's crazy. I felt sick that night of course and I was pretty hungry the next day, and the day after that. I am feeling much better about my experience. I actually think I may do it again one year. Seth wants to do it next year on a Tandem. We will see about that.
All and all I can't believe I did it, sure I was a little disappointed in how poorly I performed and I am not exactly sure why I had such a bad day. I suppose just finish the race is an accomplishment all in its own rite. I'm happy I did it, and I feel that I no longer have anything to prove. Thank Heaven!!!
5 comments:
I'm so proud of you, once you start talking to me again I will tell you that in person...
Hmmm... Do I sense some kind of marital friction. =) I think you did great, and I'm proud of you, too Eugena. Someday I'll do one of these with you - that is, if you'll ever be up to it again...
Interesting you would throw in the comparison to childbirth--- I also delivered both naturally. After Xandri, I swore I was getting an epidural the next time. That's when Derek reminded me I'd said the same thing after Avril. And somehow I went back for more. Hmmm...
Nice work on destroying the race. Good luck next time! ;)
I have to admit, childbirth sounds a lot easier than what you just did. Impressive!
So what do you mean when you say you don't feel like you have anything left to prove? Are you going to relax now??
Nice write up! And I can identify with the pain - not the childbirth, of course. As a 260 rider from Eastern PA (350 feet above sea level), the adjustment to the elevation and the LOOONG climbs was a nightmare. I had to pull out at Montpelier with a groin pull. Wasn't too happy about it. I guess that's why I'll be going back for 2008 and kick it's butt.
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