MyCOLORADOLife.net
K* can run a marathon – but can he bike a 100 miles? I came to Santa Fe to find out.
Signed up for my first Century less than a month ago. Thought that would inspire me to get out on the bike. I did get out on the bike – 3 times to be exact. LOL> Each time increasing distance & tweaking my ride with new accessories.
Ash & Tom dropped me at the Start (a local hospital – thankfully, no foreshadowing of things to come), helped me with my bib & wished me well. Followed a large group of cyclists trying not to venture too close, fearing I would clip someone 🙁
Lotta hills at an elevation of 7,000+. Found myself managing the incline – digging in, pacing myself. Going downhill – the part everyone likes – not my fave. Flying down mountain roads…found myself riding the brake, watching riders zip by.
26 miles in, first scheduled break in Madrid. Water, oranges, bananas, pretzels & toilets in a cool hippy town…reminded me of Nederland in Boulder County. Old miner cabins renovated into brightly-coloured, quirky store fronts. Nice vibe.
Next leg started with a 7 mile incline but finished easy, leading up to Heartbreak Hill. Joined the majority & walked the half mile UP, then enjoyed mile after mile of downhill to Cedar Grove. From there the terrain flattened, high desert sage & sand became the new norm & temps soared above 80. Not crazy hot, but didn’t feel acclimated – seeing snow only days ago in Colorado.
Stopped in Stanley & dumped water over my head & back. Sat down for a few minutes, ate some oranges, regrouped & headed for Galisteo. Soon after mile 75 (another downhill section) I got sick. Back in the saddle – only 8 miles left in this leg. At mile 80, same spewing of liquid. Not fun. Sat down, felt dizzy. Stood up, sick again.
And that’s how I ended my first Century – at mile 80, a few miles south of Galisteo on NM Highway 41.
Not a glamorous ending – a fail…but I did bike 80 miles on only my 4th time in the saddle. ALSO I learned so much from the experience. I need to train in summer heat (should happen in Colorado within a month). I need to find a way to pack real food – bready, carby foods – for my next long ride (maybe have someone meet me at a scheduled stop with a sub). I stayed well hydrated but oranges & bananas were not enough fuel.
Felt better after an hour sleep (& food at a truck stop near Clayton NM). Much faster turnaround than running a marathon — easier on the body. Many thanks Tom & Ash for driving (6 hours back to Boulder) – much appreciated!
Cyclists from near, far challenge themselves on 103-mile Century ride
mile 80 – end of my ride
Santa Fe Century
May’s been a heavy month of activity – literally every weekend’s booked.
- May 3rd Greenland 25k trail race
- May 11th Maine Coast Marathon
- May 18th Santa Fe Century
- May 26th Bolder Boulder 10k
- June 1st Minneapolis Marathon
Headed down to Santa Fe for my first Century (100 mile ride) – 4th time on the bike. I go BIG – neighborhood ride, 12 miles, 52 miles, & now a Century. Finally getting serious with Ironman training. Just need to find more hours in my day.
6 hour drive to Santa Fe – long time in a car unless…you ride share (thanks Ash & Tom) AND stop for a llama hike in the Rio Grande Gorge (just north of Taos). Yep, I said llamas 🙂
Met up with our guide Stuart of Wild Earth Llama Adventures at a trailhead within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument. Stuart introduced us to our llamas – K2, Diego & Rio. I already had laid claim to the white llama. Turns out that was K2 – appropriate (with my passion for high peaks) 🙂
Ash, Tom & I trekked down the mountain path with our llamas, switch-back spiraling to the river-filled gorge below. During our trek Stuart not only educated us on everything llama but also everything flora, fauna & fowl within the gorge.
He pointed out stratum layers of the canyon formed from volcano flows past. We picked fresh watercress & lemon herb, and spotted bark erosion from porcupine feedings.
Parked the llamas & kicked back riverside while Stuart set out a big spread for lunch. Life is good.
Took a short hike to view Native American petroglyphs carved hundreds of years ago (no horses – pre-European). Animals & shaman were centrally depicted (one Great Spirit). Absolutely amazing these drawings exist out in the open – having weathered man & elements for almost a thousand years. WOW!
Hiked UP out of the canyon, tipped our guide, then shot down to Santa Fe — dinner at Cowgirl BBQ.
Llama hiking & Santa Fe Saturday nights — highly recommended!
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- gettin’ my llama on – LOVED it!
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- switch-backing down the canyon
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- K2
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- Ash & Rio
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- river forged rock
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- Chillin’ like a Villain on a comfy rock
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- watch where you sit – river spiders!
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- lunch feast with wild watercress
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- Diego rest stop
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- check out those feet
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- high desert hike
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- cactus babies
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- sand art — Native American migration
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- mule deer & bighorn sheep
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- petroglyph tutorial
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- Corn Goddess
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- you can lead a llama to water… — er, water fountain
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- Santa Fe Saturday night
I woke today & did the calendar count – 83 days ‘til Ironman. YIKES!
Yeah, I’m a bit freaked…less than 3 months away.
- Struggled 2 days ago finishing my 7th marathon — wasn’t my first, so no excuse for poor execution.
- Still swallowing water as I lap swim for hours.
- Can’t stand out of the saddle without losing complete control – and have only biked once more than 50 miles.
I can either let panic take control or man up & do this thing.
No more bad days allowed – no time left for negativity.
New attitude needed.
- My weight’s steadied for 3 consecutive months – no more loss.
- I can finish a marathon. Last year’s New Year goal was to run a marathon in Alaska. I’ve since added 6 more states – Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Utah & Maine.
- I’ve learned to swim slow & steady. I’ve trained this winter in sub zero temps & hit my Ironman distance 5 times.
- I started biking in April (after Colorado winter). I’ve biked up Hwy 36 to Lyons & back (52 miles).
I need to do a combination of this for only 83 more days. Afterwards I can take a break. When my legs are tight after marathoning, I’ll swim. When I can’t stay self-motivated, I’ll take a spin class (bike). When I’m travelling, I’ll hike.
Feeling a bit banged up but overall, body’s holding up. 100% gonna do this thing.
UPDATE:
Tuesday — swam 45 laps (½ Ironman distance)
Wednesday — ran 8 miles
Thursday — swam 40 laps, biked 18 miles (indoor)
Friday — ran 6 miles
Off to New Mexico — ROAD TRIP! — hiking with Wild Earth Llama Adventures near Taos on Saturday (yep, llamas 🙂 ), then my first Century (100 mile bike ride) on Sunday in Santa Fe. Life is good.
ugly runner’s feet – lost another nail
