This weekend I raced in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. It was a 50 mile bike ride from Durango to Silverton climbing two mountain passes up to 10000 feet. I started the race with the train and it was just a normal ride from the beginning. I saw the kids, gramma and Paul around mile 15. Everything as great and I was feeling good. I stopped at aid station 1 to refill a water bottle and took my time. I hopped back on and before I knew it I was at the second station around mile 25. It took a little longer since the climb started before that. For many folks (ok a ton) this was the stopping point. I seemed to be one of the few that kept on going. I took my time again at this station, ate some food, refilled bottles and even used the potty because damnit I wasn't going to pee on my bike! The real "fun" began soon after. It was the start of the horrible uphill climb. The road was now closed and there were hardly any riders around me. Next came the switchbacks. At this point may people were walking their bikes. I was determined not to walk...ever. The elevation continued to get higher and higher but I felt strong. My legs were doing great and I was hardly breathing hard. I just was going slow, slow, slow. I passed many people who were now cramping up and felt like giving up. At this point I became a cheerleader and told them to stay with me and just focus on breathing and I would "talk" them up the mountain to distract them. It worked for awhile but then the pace truck came by and yelled only 35 minutes left! Wait...what did he say? Are you freakin kidding me? Another person told me if we didn't make it to the top of Coal Pass (10640 ft) by Noon, then we would have to stop our race. Panic mode set-in and I just pedaled hard. I stopped eating, I stopped drinking, I just pedaled as hard and fast as I could. My body didn't like that and my heart was about to jump out of my chest.
I finally reached the top of Coal Pass and while my clock read 12:04 I was hoping they would let it slide. I was stopped by the State Trooper and said "sorry ma'am that was the cutoff for us." NOOOOOO! Tears welled up in my eyes. I had come so close and so far. I felt like a huge disappointment to all my friends and family who had been following my story.
I was put on the bus along with about 75 other riders and was bussed to the finish line. Let me tell you, that was the quietest bus ride I have ever taken in my life. So many sad and disappointed racers. As we drove the remainder of the 15 miles I couldn't help but notice it was primarily downhill from there. Another stab in the heart as I realized I had already done ALL the work and that the hardest part was over. I didn't even get to relish in the amazing downhill descents that so many other Livestrong team members described. Sigh....
My family came and picked me up at the finish-line and made me feel good. They lifted my spirits along with a few other special phone calls I got. Later that evening I drowned my sorrows in a few beers at the Livestrong event but quickly realized I better get over it. I raised $1800 for an amazing foundation and it will help many people in so many different ways. It really didn't matter that I didn't make it to the finish-line, all that matters is that I pick myself up and KEEP TRIing.
Pictures from our Durango trip, so far...
.JPG "Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Livestrong, cycling")