35 mile ride!!

OK, I've really not been training like I should for RAGBRAI. I have many excuses, but the reality is that I'm trying to pretend this isn't happening. It's terrifying to think I'm going to ride almost 80 miles in one day. If I don't think about it then it won't hurt, right?

I realize this is not the healthiest attitude I can have. So, with the help of my WONDERFUL husband, I went for a 35 mile ride today. The longest I'd gone up to this point was 25 miles, so this was huge.

First, let me tell you that this morning I had a filling redone at the dentist. He was liberal with the Novocaine. I couldn't eat lunch before I left the house, so I packed a PB&J for the road. I also made 2 chicken fajitas for Greg to bring up to St Paul when I met him at the end of the ride. I filled 2 water bottles, and planned for 1 extra water stop.

Before I left, Greg put my old seat back on my bike for me. Last year, I thought it was my seat that made my back hurt. In a way it was... it was too far back. Once I move the new seat up, the back didn't hurt. However, I really like my old seat, so back on it went.

Greg also put on my second water bottle holder and made sure my tires were full. With all the equipment ready, and the 50 SPF sunscreen liberally applied, I hit the road.

I made it up to the next town, Farmington, in just over an hour. This is so much better than I expected. However, it wasn't a very bike friendly part of town, so I waited until I was past town to have lunch. I pulled over and dug out that sandwich. Do you know how hard it is to eat a PB&J sandwich with your mouth still feeling Novocaine? Not too pretty. I felt like my dog.

I gave Greg a call from this spot, and he was just leaving our house and headed to his parents home (my stopping point). I hoped I'd make it to the next town before he passed me.

I hit the road again. I need some water, took a swig, and it sprang out of the corner of my mouth. Ahh... Novocaine!

Well, the next town, Rosemount, appeared before me. I was just thinking about Greg not passing me, when he appeared! He is so wonderful! He brought me a new bottle with ice water. He's amazing! After a quick chat, I hit the road again. I was feeling great!

That feeling was short lived. I forgot how long it took to get from Rosemount to Hwy 55. I thought it was just a mile or 2. It was 10 miles! That shot my groove to pieces. I started to feel slow. The hills felt bigger. I needed a break.

So, I hit the Holiday Gas Station and got some Gatorade. It was nice to have another cold beverage, and it tasted so good! I was sure the last 8 miles would be a piece of cake. Not true. There were at least a dozen stop lights and everyone of them turned red as I approached. My mo-jo was GONE! It was a tough finish, and my thighs were burning. I finished though and felt good about it.

Now, RAGBRAI doesn't seem so scary. I know that I need more than a 5-10 minute break in the ride. I know I need a lot of water (I did this one right today). I know that I have an amazing husband and I'm so grateful he'll be our support crew!