Work / Life / Training Balance

Well my posts have become not-so-regular these days! I warned that this might happen, but I'm trying my best to get back to it!

The weekend after my 72 mile ride, which was both mentally and physically challenging, I had a 75 mile buddy ride. For reasons unknown to me, I was not able to finish the 75 miles. I don't know if I was tired from the week before, if I didn't eat or drink enough during the ride, if I was just having an off day, or if I was just pooped! Whatever the case may have been, I rode about 56 miles and didn't make it to the finish that day. I was down on myself about it, until I finally realized that I still rode 56 miles, which is a long way to go on a bike!

Needless to say, the weekend after I was even more nervous about the team's first 80 mile ride. I ate and drank well all week, slept well, trained well, and rested well. I got up that morning and was really nervous about the ride. I had butterflies in my stomach and was just really doubting myself.

We started the ride in South San Jose and rode to Gilroy in the pouring rain. We got 4 flat tires along the way, were cold and wet and just couldn't get going. I was beginning to think I was having a repeat of the 75 mile incomplete ride. At some point after 30 miles I just decided that I wasn't going to have a bad day. I decided I was going to finish the ride, and I was going to finish it with a smile on my face and feeling good. The next 50 miles were almost perfect. I don't exactly know how it happened, but I finished 85 miles and was ready for more! I got home, showered, and then had enough energy to go directly to dinner and a movie! I was SO proud of myself and SO amazed that I had ridden 85 miles.



Last weekend we had another 85 mile ride, but this time it was a "Buddy Ride" which is unsupported and considered optional. Many people choose to use it as a rest weekend or to train on their own. I was nervous again about 85, but this time it was because I had such a great ride the weekend before! Funny how your mind plays tricks on you like that. I guess all this training is paying off - I finished another 85, although this one was admittedly harder than the last, and I didn't even have my pace group there to help me along! It ended up being me and a guy from my pace group - and the two of us tackled, conquered, and finished 85 miles all on our own!



I guess this means I'm ready for Tahoe! We have another 80 mile ride this Sunday in Santa Cruz this weekend, and then two weeks later is the main event!