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
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
3rd time on the bike – time to do some distance. Still kinda nerved from car traffic but gotta get out & make peace with the bike if I’m gonna be ready for Ironman Boulder this August.
Day 1 – tour of my neighborhood & Waneka Lake
Day 2 – Lafayette, Erie, Community Park, Coal Creek Trail & downtown Louisville
Day 3 – How ‘bout a 26-mile ride (52 miles roundtrip) along the Front Range to Lyons? Louisville to Boulder, Hwy 36 to Lyons. Hills, lotta cars but you can’t fail if you don’t try, right?
Rode Valmont into Boulder – a bit out of the way but chose this scenic farm road to avoid traffic. Boulder to Hwy 36 – lotta cars, stayed alert, did not panic. Met up with my friend Matt. Not doing it alone made the trek much more doable. Thanks!
When I first moved to Colorado, I rode Hwy 36 to Estes thinking I would be travelling to Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park every weekend. Life happened, adopted Ro but still remembered the many cyclists on 36 & thought ‘someday I’m gonna do that’.
(hearing ya) You’re scared of 65 mile an hour traffic, what did you like?
The almost canvas-like landscape of our foothills, country farms, horses & the sheer distance one can travel on bike (vs running). ALSO, I’m crazy good at climbing hills – soooooo much easier than running UP.
AWESOME breakfast at the Stone Cup in Lyons; highly recommended.
Nothing noteworthy on the uphill return from Lyons. Humbling (& a bit disheartening) being passed by entire groups of riders – just my 3rd time riding outside but it’s like I was standing still. Argh.
Ok crazy — what’s next?
Just signed up for my first Century on May 18th, a 100 mile bike ride in Santa Fe, New Mexico — one week after attempting marathon #7, a hilly run up & down the Maine coastline.
Life’s meant to be lived. I’ll rest next decade 🙂
greek scrambler w/ hash browns
