2008 Bike MS

Day One: As I was stumbling downstairs at 3:00 AM trying to find some coffee, I already began questioning the wisdom of doing this ride, and I hadn’t even been on my bike seat yet. We ate a breakfast of high protein waffles before my body was even ready to be awake and headed north. As we approached North Denver, many of the cars on the interstate had bikes attached to them and I started waking up. We were able to find all the team members but one and started riding from Denver at about 7 AM. It was a chilly 50 degrees when we started and it took a bit to warm up.

After my anxiety settled down a bit, I settled in for the ride. Steve wasn’t feeling great at the start, so he rode with me to the first rest stop. He pulled off the road for a “break” and felt better, then took off. The rest of the team was ahead of me and I just enjoyed going at my own pace. I stopped at the 2nd rest stop intending on a short visit to the porta potty. The lines were a mile long, so I found my own potty area (details eliminated). Onward and forward. At this early stage, I was focused on finding the most effective way to use the least amount of energy and strength while still propelling myself forward. I used low gears and just kept moving. This part of the ride is pretty flat so no problems here. Lunch stop was at
about mile 42 and I met up with Mark and Kathy, 2 members of our team. We had lunch and stayed together for most of the rest of the ride. The ride after lunch was incredibly beautiful as it wound through country roads, farms, beside streams and reservoirs. We started hitting some incline at about mile 60; we hit the first hill that Mark, Kathy and I named Happy Hell Hill and then the 2nd hill, and then the final climb up to Horsetooth Reservoir. I thought I would struggle with this last 20 miles, but I felt great and had no problem with the hills. Steve called from the finish about the time I started the last climb, and he came back and met me and we rode the last climb and to the finish together. I had thought 6 hours would be the best I
could hope for, 8 hours being the slowest I might do, and I hit the finish right at 6 hours. Entering the finish area with all the cheers, cow bells, hollering, music and general sense of celebration made the 3 AM wake up call worth it. I was definitely ready to get off my bike, as my hiney had started to complain at about mile 60.

After we finished, we had lunch (again), hung out with my DU classmates at their team tent and waited long enough so we could have dinner. By then, I was ready to collapse and we caught the bus to the hotel and decided we needed another dinner. Our 2nd dinner was pure disappointment; after that kind of day, a delicious meal is a fine way to replenish some energy and enthusiasm and Denny’s just didn’t cut it. Back to the hotel to crash.

Day One by the numbers:

Total Distance: 71 miles
Elevation Gain: 3288 ft.
Hours: 6:00
Calories Burned 2651 (where are the hot fudge sundaes??)
Food Eaten: I lost track…

Day Two: We lucked out yesterday with light cloud cover most of the ride; today was forecast to be much hotter, so we got an early start and were out of the start by 6:15. Temperature was fine by 8:15, but riding in shorts, a short sleeved jersey with the temp at 50 degrees was a bit chilly and was the first time today I pondered catching a SAG wagon to the finish. Today’s route was almost the reverse of yesterday, so we got the climbing out of the way in the first 20 miles. We started by heading out of CSU campus and up to Horsetooth Reservoir; a shock to the body that rode 71 miles yesterday. Steve hung with me all day today, while the rest of the team rode ahead.

It was tough getting on the bike at the start; all the aches and pains that I finished with yesterday were right there at the start today. The hiney was screaming as soon as I sat on my seat and didn’t stop until… well, frankly it still hurts. (How do people do 5 day, 7 day, even 30 days rides??)

We rode on as the route flattened out. Today’s goal was to see how I felt at the 56 mile mark (1/2 Ironman bike distance) so I could get some idea of how long it would take me. I hit that mark after lunch at about 4 hours of ride time, plus my 25 minute lunch. I’ll have to look into it, but I’m pretty sure the ½ Ironman doesn’t provide a catered lunch in the middle of the bike portion of the race (I may be re-thinking this ½ Ironman thing).

The hardest part of the day was just after lunch. I got back on my bike and despite the 25 minute respite my hiney got at lunch, it wasn’t enough to relieve the pain. I had visions of riding my bike with one of those soft circle pillows you use on an airplane; I pondered how I could ride the rest of the way standing up, and let a few choice words fly when no one was around. This is when the mental strength comes in. At this point, the pain doesn’t get any worse, and your body can make it through, but it’s the voice telling you to quit that you have to contend most with. For every thought of “where’s the next SAG wagon” I had to replace it with “I AM going to finish” or “ you will not quit” or my personal favorite, and the mantra I repeat to myself in races, long painful runs and rides “Pain is temporary, pride is permanent”. I thought of Steve, and all the people
with MS who are in pain every day and encouraged myself to go on. Just pedal. Just keep the feet going in circles. Just keep the bike moving. I sang “The wheels on the bike go ‘round and ‘round 300 times” and counted cows. It helped to remind Steve every 30 seconds or so, that my hiney hurt; his was fine until I started reminding him of my pain. After lunch, I stopped at the 56 mile mark for a couple minutes, then just kept going. At this point, I just wanted to finish and felt if I stopped at the rest stops, it would be that much longer until I was done.

Finishing is the best part; that feeling I get when I know I’ve challenged myself, when I’ve pushed my limits, is incredible. The finish wouldn’t be nearly as sweet if the ride was easy. The pain that I felt during the 2 days and the day following is nothing compared to the pain people with MS feel every day. If I can do some small part to contribute to finding a cure, then my small pains are worth it. Yes, Chuck they gave out medals, so I’ll expect to see on our team next year!

Day Two by the numbers:
Total Distance: 77.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 3342 ft
Hours: 6:07
Calories Burned 2873
Food Eaten: A lot….

Day After Race:

My bike and I had a good time this weekend, but I think it’s best for both of to have some time apart. Today is recovery day and my hiney is appreciative of chairs with cushion at work and the soft, soft pillows on the couch at home. The morning was fine, but by afternoon it hit me how totally depleted I was. An employee on my team was trying to impart some very important information to me this afternoon (something about missing a deliverable?), and within a few short minutes, he looked at me and said ‘do you have allergies bothering you?” I think that was his polite way of saying “you look like death warmed over and you aren’t hearing a word I’m saying”. True enough; as he was talking I was listening to that inner voice trying to convince me that I wasn’t going to actually pass out in my office, and that I should breathe, drink some water and
agree to everything he says. Tonight is for quality time on the couch, writing about the great experience of this weekend.

Tomorrow…. swim and run – my next Triathlon is in 3 weeks!

Team TriForMS
Money Raised: $6600 (as of 6/30)
Team Members: 6 (Steve and Michele Vaughan, Kathy Heathcock, Kathie Aimee, Mark Storey and Mike Burgee)
Team Members Finished: 5 (Kathy Aimme broke her collarbone last month – no riding for her!)

We were impressed with how well organized and supported the ride was. Plenty of food, fluids and the volunteers were great.