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Running on empty

Well, I think I've managed to recover somewhat this morning, but that's exactly how I felt at the end of yesterdays bike ride.

While it was only a 55 mile bike ride, there was 2775 feet of climbing (which is a lot more than normal), but the real problem was me being the weakest rider in the group, forcing me to step it up a notch so as not to embarrass myself too badly.

The ride didn't start out that way, but after the first climb, about half of the original 20 or so riders who started the ride, many of whom I consider to be of comparable ability to myself, decided to cut the ride short, leaving me alone with the much stronger riders. I guess I could have cut the ride short as well, but then what fun would that have been.

As it was, aided by a few short cuts, and the fact the group didn't push the pace as hard as they could have, I think I made a decent showing, not finding myself too far behind at any point. But that extra effort did take its toll.

I spent the last 15 miles of the ride on the verge of bonking (despite having an energy bar at the top of the last hill), essentially running on fumes, hanging on for dear life at the back of the pack, so as not to lose the draft, and leave myself alone to fight the usual head winds encountered on the way home, making the ride even more difficult.

I just hope all that effort wasn't for naught! After all isn't it true what the say,
what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger
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Comments

Susan C said…
Congratulations on making the ride, even though you were "running on empty." I wish I was in your condition, but "wishing" doesn't cut it; I need to DO something about it.
5:16 AM
Marc said…
Yes you do Susan.

Believe me when I tell you it's so easy being lazy, but after a hard workout [or even an easy one], you'll feel so much better about yourself.
10:42 PM
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