I Thought I Was Better Trained Than This?

It's May long weekend and Amber and I have some great training plans to keep us occupied. Yesterday we went out for our usual Friday night TT and even though the wind was blowing at about 50km/h we were determined to get used to riding in the wind because it's not going to get better for at least a month. The ride out to Beazanson was great, I was pushing it and I felt like I was riding a time trial in the Tour De France. I finished the first 25kms in 27 minutes, averaged 55km/h. However when I turned around it was time to pay the price, it was incredibly frustrating to be going so fast and then go so slow. I had a straight on head wind and it was TOUGH! I was spinning as hard as I could and couldn't get over 22km/h, arrgghh!! It was one definitely one of the toughest 25km rides I have ever faced, I finished the second half in 1hr 5mins, total time of 1hr 32mins for 50km. Amber was facing the same difficulties and even though riding in the wind really sucks it will make us stronger for future races.

Today was an even bigger test, Amber mapped out a great 175km route with a few stops along the way to refuel and rest. I was excited, the temp was supposed to hit 28 degrees and there was no wind! Yeah! We started out towards Bezanson and I was feeling strong and fast, I was hoping the rest of the ride would be this good. Turned north to Wanam and the ride was absolutely beautiful! There were rolling green hills and I was still averaging about 35km/h, things were working out great today. I stopped to fill up my bottles in Wanum and noticed that the first 87kms went by in 2hrs and 27mins, awesome I felt good and I was going to finish this ride in under 5hrs. Another 20km to Rycroft and I noticed that the cross wind was starting to pick up, oh no. I could only keep pedaling but I noticed that I was getting really, really salty. I was taking salt tabs but there was no way I could replace the amount of salt I was losing. I stopped again in Rycroft and had a sandwich and called AD to make sure she was doing okay. All was good with her so I started on the long road back to Grande Prairie.

The road home was the longest 70kms I have ever riden in my life, the sun was beating down, I was completely dehydrated, salt depleted, bonking and riding uphill into the wind! I ran out of water 30kms from the next stop and I hit the wall at 131kms. I had to get off my bike and lay on the side of the road just to regroup, I just could not physically turn the pedals over any more. I was going so slow and getting absolutely no where. I knew no one was coming to save me so the only way to get home was to get back on the bike and keep going. Amber was doing the same ride and I was sure she was hurting too, I had to get home. The next 10kms were so painful and mentally fatuging, I cannot describe how much it hurt. At about 141kms I made a right turn and the wind was no longer in my face, that helped because I was able to spin out the next 15kms to Sexsmith and buy a bag of chips and a coke. Amber was going through the same turmoil so I rode the final 20kms fairly strong and I felt a little better after filling up my water and eating something. I was sooooo happy to see the Grande Prairie city limits sign it was a very, very hard ride and I was excited to finish it.

Friday, swim; 3kms- 55mins, ride; 50kms- 1hr 32mins
Saturday, ride; 177kms- 5hrs 32mins