Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Hurry up and ride 100 miles

That was what I was telling myself Saturday. And for the record, it's not the best way to approach a century. Especially one of the best supported ones around, on a perfect day, and with lots of friends you haven't seen in a while. BUT - Briar had a football game that I was trying to get back in time to see...so I had to skip out on a few of the aid stations and a lot of the enjoyment of the day.

I totally did not prepare for Saturday's ride. I stayed up too late the night before reading about the market and the bail out and all it's implications, and then I just crashed in the bed without even getting my thing together. So I got up the next morning, changed out my wheels - I forgot to tell you my wheel story, I'll get to that - programmed my gps, loaded up and took off to Fayetville for the Leaves of Lincoln Century. This was my first century two years ago. Ironically, I didn't even realize it, but I parked beside my friend Chip - whom I had met there 2 years ago, and hadn't seen him since. We chatted a bit, I got my packet, and then I reached in my bike bag for my helmet.....

and you guessed it....no helmet. The ride started in 5 minutes. So I grabbed my debit card and rode up to the Harpeth Cycling tent and they were gracious enough to sell me a $54 helmet for $40. Because I gave them the puppy dog eyes and told them I forgot my LG Ozzy helmet and I needed a good deal. Nice folks. Anyways, Chip pulled me up toward the front of the group because I got a late start, and all I was concerned about was Crystal Ridge. Crystal Ridge is the last hill I ever pushed my bike up. It was the only hill I pushed that year - 2006, too. Every other hill I ever succombed to during my first year of cycling, I've gone back and conquered, but this one was too far from my stomping grounds. So this day was about hurrying to ride 100 miles, and making it up Crystal Ridge. And I did it. Chip flew up it, and I kinda lumbered up it, but I made it just fine and was tickled to death. I tried to tell myself I was just going to enjoy this day and not hurry too much, but after the second rest stop, I got all ADD and thinking that if Briar's games started late as usual, I could still make it by the 4th quarter. So when Chip, Melissa, and the others pulled into the 3rd stop, I kept rolling. I caught up to a nice lady named Adel around mile 50 or so, and we rode together a good bit of the way. The ADD took over again shortly after the 60 mile rest stop, and I pretty much rode the last 40 on my own. No, not pretty much, I don't think I saw a single other person, actually. I finished the 100 miles and ran for 20 minutes, grabbed my BBQ plate, and took off toward home.

Chip, Melissa, and others: I'm not a snob - I swear! I was trying to get back for that football game!

I did make it back by halftime of the game, so I was pretty happy. Another century down...I think that's 5 so far. One more this weekend, and then taper!

Now, the wheels. Geez....you know, this world is filled with really nice, really good, and really thoughtful people. I know there are some bad apples, but the older I get, the more I realize that I am surrounded by awesome people. So, anyways...My friend, Tom - the one who I've learned so much about triathlon from, and the one who was signed up and training for IMFL with me until he suddenly had a stroke caused by carotid artery dissection - he offered to let me take his FlashPoint wheels and ride them through IMFL! He even put them on and made sure they were ready to go. They are almost identical to the Zipp 404s I've been wanting, and was considering renting for IMFL. And they look GREAT on my bike!

Monday I turned 32. Holly and I ran at lunch, and postponed my swim so that JT and the boys could take me out to eat and to buy me a present. I told them I wanted an iPod Touch, so we went to Best Buy. I stood there and looked and looked at it, though, and never could make the decision to get it. $299 for a toy in these grim economic conditions just seems irresponsible...so even though they were begging me pick out anything, I left and just told them I needed to think more about it. If you know me well, you'll know that is just like me. I don't mind to spend some money, and I don't mind make a big purchase here and there, even for a toy, but I have to think it out for a long time, first.

I made up the 2900 swim yesterday morning (I saw Willie there swimming!), and then I attended Don's spin class last night to substitute for my ride. DUDE - that spin class was AWESOME! I now know exactly how I will stay in shape post Ironman!

Today was supposed to be a 2:10 run, but has rained buckets for two days now, and I bagged it. It's too cold to be running in the rain for 2 hours...I can take the cold, and I can take the rain, but not both together. I considered treadmilling it for the alotted time, and then I decided I'd be just as well of to switch tomorrow's rest day with today and do the run tomorrow. Hopefully the rain will give me a break in the morning.

We're getting dangerously close here...I've got word that the athlete's instructions are on the IMFL website now...but I've yet to look at them. Why? I don't know...I'm kinda like that. I'll look eventually.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

You bike helmet was sitting on my bike when we went to ride monday.... it should be still over there. Good job on the ride this weekend! Oh and Tom wants to know about the wheels and if you liked them.

Marathoner in Training said...

Great job on the ride. You will be just fine with IMFL.

Eric said...

Sometimes it's tough to buy toys with all the other expenses of life. My parents got me a few things for my B-day and stuffed a $100 bill in a card. I paid bills with it LOL!!!

Michele said...

I knew you would show that hill who is boss!!! Congrats on another awesome century.
I am riding 6 hours on Saturday if you are interested.
That is so cool about the wheels. I bet they do look great on your bike. You are going to be flying in Florida.
That phone story sounds just like you. ;)

jahowie said...

Happy Belated Birthday!! I'm exhausted after reading this post. That is awesome that he put those wheels on for you. Good friends are nice to have. :-)

Lisa said...

I seriously LOVE the spinning classes, they have kept me from shooting my broken shin with a gun. Nice to see ya there. :)

Lisa

Andrea said...

Way to go on your ride - I know you had to be excited to have been able to do that & still make half of Briar's game. Hope you had a great birthday! Good luck on your upcoming IMFL.

Andrea said...

Thanks for the comment - I just started blogging & trying to reclaim my body (one day at a time right!) BTW, you've been serving as some pretty awesome inspiration lately - I found you via Mae Ann & between you two I figure surely I can get my butt in gear & accomplish something too.

Missy said...

Right on, last big push before we start to taper on down and I can't wait. I gotta ride six hours Saturday, think I can make it to your house?

Darrell said...

Thanks for the reminder that the world does have plenty of fine up standing folks in it.

Spending any amount of money these days is a tough decision. I say keep thinking about it.

triguyjt said...

what an awesome buddy you have for him to put the wheels on your bike like that...

great ride....
and now you will always have a spare helmet