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Did the "Sawnee Mountain Century Challenge" today. I promised you hill training, did I not? However, I am honourable-- not stupid, and I chose the <b>44 mile</b> option. I don't know how much climbing was in this option-- but trust me, it was plenty for the likes of me.<br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Century Challenge</span>: <i>Strenuous/Difficult rating</i>. 100 miles with about 8,500 feet of climbing<br><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Metric Century+</span>: <i>Strenuous</i>. 69 miles with about 7,000 feet of climbing<br><span style="text-decoration:underline;">42 mile ride:</span> <i>Strenuous/Moderate</i>. Takes you to the foot hills of Burnt Mountain<span style="text-decoration:underline;"><br>
25 mile ride:</span> <i>Moderate.</i> This ride offer a taste of climbing on the Sawnee Mountain range with about 1,500 feet of climbing.<br><br>
Now, as I have not done hill training, this was quite the event for me. I actually had to walk partway up one hill-- maybe I could have kept going on my bike, but it occurred to me that I could walk just as fast and not tear up my legs when I still had another 20 miles to go-- and get a drink of water. I remember this hill acutely-- as not only was it my first time walking a hill since getting my beautiful road bike, but I almost had a heart attack coming down the hill prior. Imagine me, holding on for dear life to my handlebars, braking somewhat because I'm going 33 mph and it scares the bejeezus out of me, and-- in my weakened state-- look up and all I see is a hill going straight up into the distance as far as I can strain my vision. Ooh, oww, no.<br></span><br>
I feel a little silly that I paid $40 for this-- I rode the whole way by myself, did not stop at the rest stops (It was just 44 miles. I wasn't going to stop for cookies and chatter.) , and the only thing I grabbed post-race was a bottle of water because food does not seem appetizing to me when I'm tired. Really, I paid $40 for directions. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> Still, I like to "thank" people who put on rides like this. I never would have gone up into Cumming to ride without it-- in fact, I never ride on trafficked roads of my own volition. And it was charity! I have no clue what it benefited, but I know it benefited someone. And, really, isn't that what's important? No? Oh.<br><br>
Oh, I'm putting off telling you my land speed record.<br>
For 44 miles, I averaged <b>14 mph</b>, making this officially the slowest I have ever ridden-- even beating out my century. I could have gone slightly faster, but I know I have a long run tomorrow, and let's be honest-- it wouldn't have made a huge difference regardless. The solid truth: Those hills kicked my ass.<br><br>
Hills 1, Heather 0.... but, it does make me hungry for a rematch.<br><br><i>Cross posted from <a href="http://proserpinasemergence.blogspot.com" target="_blank">my blog</a></i>
25 mile ride:</span> <i>Moderate.</i> This ride offer a taste of climbing on the Sawnee Mountain range with about 1,500 feet of climbing.<br><br>
Now, as I have not done hill training, this was quite the event for me. I actually had to walk partway up one hill-- maybe I could have kept going on my bike, but it occurred to me that I could walk just as fast and not tear up my legs when I still had another 20 miles to go-- and get a drink of water. I remember this hill acutely-- as not only was it my first time walking a hill since getting my beautiful road bike, but I almost had a heart attack coming down the hill prior. Imagine me, holding on for dear life to my handlebars, braking somewhat because I'm going 33 mph and it scares the bejeezus out of me, and-- in my weakened state-- look up and all I see is a hill going straight up into the distance as far as I can strain my vision. Ooh, oww, no.<br></span><br>
I feel a little silly that I paid $40 for this-- I rode the whole way by myself, did not stop at the rest stops (It was just 44 miles. I wasn't going to stop for cookies and chatter.) , and the only thing I grabbed post-race was a bottle of water because food does not seem appetizing to me when I'm tired. Really, I paid $40 for directions. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> Still, I like to "thank" people who put on rides like this. I never would have gone up into Cumming to ride without it-- in fact, I never ride on trafficked roads of my own volition. And it was charity! I have no clue what it benefited, but I know it benefited someone. And, really, isn't that what's important? No? Oh.<br><br>
Oh, I'm putting off telling you my land speed record.<br>
For 44 miles, I averaged <b>14 mph</b>, making this officially the slowest I have ever ridden-- even beating out my century. I could have gone slightly faster, but I know I have a long run tomorrow, and let's be honest-- it wouldn't have made a huge difference regardless. The solid truth: Those hills kicked my ass.<br><br>
Hills 1, Heather 0.... but, it does make me hungry for a rematch.<br><br><i>Cross posted from <a href="http://proserpinasemergence.blogspot.com" target="_blank">my blog</a></i>
