It seems a little surreal as I sit here and type this out - I cannot believe I actually biked 100 miles today.
And to boot, no broken derailleur or any other bike malfunctions; not even a fall, and best I can tell, all body parts are intact. If that doesn't scream success from the girl who has not rode one time without some sort of catastrophic mishap occurring, I don't know what does.
Of course, there were some difficult miles - especially around miles 50-99 when my feet periodically had this excruciating burning sensation; around 58 when we started climbing Mt. Everest - for the 400th time; when we were riding in massive concrete suburbia USA and the sun was baking my skin a luscious red tone; when my water in my water bottle reached 1 degrees below boiling point; miles 40-90 when my back wasn't happy; or when I got to aid station at mile 76 and this complete sense of "yuck" momentarily took over my body. I especially loved it when I told Julie that if I had to climb one more hill that day, I was personally going to shoot her for getting me into this mess.
When you're pretty miserable and have only completed half of your day, your mind starts to mess with ya.
But somewhere around mile 78, my 1/4 PB sandwich, grapes, fresh water, trail mix, Oreo cookie, potty break, Cytomax and 600mg Ibuprofen cocktail kicked in and I felt...... fantastic!!!
I couldn't believe it!! I kept waiting for the death wish to happen - I read so many comments on my last blog post from all these uber cyclists how the last 20 are just a complete, utter mental and physical disaster, yet it never happened.
The suck-roar hills were behind us, the sun decided to shy away behind some gray clouds, I was now riding on my "home turf" - an area I ride frequently so I felt really comfortable knowing what was ahead. All of this, and the awesome concoction above just happen to occur simultaneously and Julie and I pedaled like we had fresh legs as we finished as strong at mile 100 as we did mile 1.
When this ride threw us some difficult miles, we sucked it up and prevailed. Me, RUNwithjill, just finished 100 cycling miles up one pretty intense 2000' mountain climb and many monster hills later. Man, I get chills just thinking about it.
If I had to pick between speed and endurance right now, it would be endurance. Maybe it's because I'm older and have a richer perspective about time. Maybe it's because as I re-enter the world of running, my pace is so far removed from where it was pre-injury 18-months ago .... I'm not sure why exactly but either way, I am learning to tame the beast of doubt and discouragement and pushing myself through the thin membrane of I can't do this to the wide, open space of well, maybe I can.
I'm pretty thrilled! If you couldn't tell. A few months ago I was in total agony riding 11 miles in my duathlon....today I rode 100 ...
"You're tougher than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can."
- Motta of the famous Leadville 100
(not that I'm ever doing it :))
I can't close without saying a very special thank-you to Julie for twisting my arm to do this ride. For the most part, we stuck together and without her witty humor and never-give-up attitude, this ride would have been totally miserable. Thank you, Julie - you ROCK!!!
Enjoy a few pictures from my ride today:
Of course, there were some difficult miles - especially around miles 50-99 when my feet periodically had this excruciating burning sensation; around 58 when we started climbing Mt. Everest - for the 400th time; when we were riding in massive concrete suburbia USA and the sun was baking my skin a luscious red tone; when my water in my water bottle reached 1 degrees below boiling point; miles 40-90 when my back wasn't happy; or when I got to aid station at mile 76 and this complete sense of "yuck" momentarily took over my body. I especially loved it when I told Julie that if I had to climb one more hill that day, I was personally going to shoot her for getting me into this mess.
When you're pretty miserable and have only completed half of your day, your mind starts to mess with ya.
But somewhere around mile 78, my 1/4 PB sandwich, grapes, fresh water, trail mix, Oreo cookie, potty break, Cytomax and 600mg Ibuprofen cocktail kicked in and I felt...... fantastic!!!
I couldn't believe it!! I kept waiting for the death wish to happen - I read so many comments on my last blog post from all these uber cyclists how the last 20 are just a complete, utter mental and physical disaster, yet it never happened.
The suck-roar hills were behind us, the sun decided to shy away behind some gray clouds, I was now riding on my "home turf" - an area I ride frequently so I felt really comfortable knowing what was ahead. All of this, and the awesome concoction above just happen to occur simultaneously and Julie and I pedaled like we had fresh legs as we finished as strong at mile 100 as we did mile 1.
When this ride threw us some difficult miles, we sucked it up and prevailed. Me, RUNwithjill, just finished 100 cycling miles up one pretty intense 2000' mountain climb and many monster hills later. Man, I get chills just thinking about it.
If I had to pick between speed and endurance right now, it would be endurance. Maybe it's because I'm older and have a richer perspective about time. Maybe it's because as I re-enter the world of running, my pace is so far removed from where it was pre-injury 18-months ago .... I'm not sure why exactly but either way, I am learning to tame the beast of doubt and discouragement and pushing myself through the thin membrane of I can't do this to the wide, open space of well, maybe I can.
I'm pretty thrilled! If you couldn't tell. A few months ago I was in total agony riding 11 miles in my duathlon....today I rode 100 ...
"You're tougher than you think you are, and you can do more than you think you can."
- Motta of the famous Leadville 100
(not that I'm ever doing it :))
I can't close without saying a very special thank-you to Julie for twisting my arm to do this ride. For the most part, we stuck together and without her witty humor and never-give-up attitude, this ride would have been totally miserable. Thank you, Julie - you ROCK!!!
Enjoy a few pictures from my ride today:
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Around mile 13.5: Julie and I at the first aid station just before we started the big 2000' climb up Lookout Mountain. |
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| About mile 20, near Red Rocks State Park |
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| Mile24: 2nd aid station. Girl bits a bit sore but some Chamois Butter did the trick! |
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| Cycling friends: Sarah, Paul, Kathleen, Julie, and myself |
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| About mile 30: Julie and the gorgeous countryside |
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| About mile33: Pretty!! |
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| About Mile 37 |
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| Close to mile 40. Not sure why I'm smiling! |
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| About mile 46 |
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| About mile 60, when we crested Mt. Everest for the 300th time |
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| At mile 76 aid station. If a picture paints a thousand words.... |
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| Mile 88: Last aid station and feeling mighty fine! |
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| Done!! Post race burgers and beer, don't mind if I do! |
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| About mile 21: So pretty along this stretch near Morrison (sorry, blogger is being difficult with this one picture so it is not in order. Grrr) |
70 comments:
Excellent!
Solid.
You killed it! 8)
I am sooo happy for you! WOOHOO! Congrats on your first century!! Yay, yay, yay!! Oh, and I loved the pictures! :)
This sounds so stinking cool! And you've inspired me!! I thought it was cool that I biked a mesley 20 today for my first ever real cycling experience but 100! wooo hoo! And your arms totally look hot in those pink arm warmers. :) I'm going to go get some real bike shoes and try 50 next weekend! Then 75 and then maybe maybe maybe 100 one of these days! :)
Awesome, awesome, awesome! I am SO proud of you. You ARE a REAL cyclist! Woo-hoo for you!!! Are you going to be floating on Cloud 9 all week? We're riding in the morning, BTW. LOL....
You DID it!! I'm smiling from ear to ear :D
Loved the pictures, your happiness with the ride and all the smiles!
You've just encouraged me that "maybe" I just can ride that far. Maybe...even enjoy it :-)
Wow! Congrats!
Love your pictures - they really say a thousand words.
BRAVO! and great to see the smiles!!
Oh, Jill, I am so proud of you! You give me so much hope for my cycling career.
Oh, Jill, I knew you could do it. WAY TO GO!!! So proud of and happy for you. :)
fantastic!!!!
this is quite an accomplishment!
be proud.
I want to do that now
All I need is a bike and some time!
I love all the pics!
looks like this was a great day!!
I love the new header also.
Kick ass!
Love the pics :)
Bet that burger & beer was heavenly!
wow! congrats. Those burgers and beer look like one great reward!
I would need to bike 160 laps in my development to go 100 miles…you are a freakin superstar in my eyes, Jill! You look so excited to be out there…except maybe in the lying down pic…which IS my favorite ;-) You CAN do these things…no 'maybe' about it. Rest those legs and that bum :)
Fantastic! That's an enormous achievement. Be mighty proud of yourself.
Amazing! I can barely cycle 20 miles without dying, so you are my cycling hero! Scenery looks fantastic too. Well done!
Great job, Jill!
I'm a non-cyclist, so tell me: how does a 100-mile ride compare to 26.2?
great job!
WOW! Congrats on 100! I can't imagine even attempting that. So very awesome!
Way to go Jill, well done! That is really a big one done and written in your book. Funny, but for all my longer runs (100km and more) the last twenty or so was always better than the part just after half way. I think if you are strong mentally you don’t find the last part that hard. Anyway, you did great and you have inspired me once more.
Wow, impressive! 100 miles is bad a$$!
This just made my week! I'm so happy for you--but not surprised one but--that you did it! Congrats! Totally badass.
That is fantastic news!! I am so thrilled for you...and super excited at what this can all lead to :) You did it!!! That is freaking crazy mileage...unbelievable. You are so determined when you put your mind to something!
Yay! I am sooooo happy and proud of you Jillie beans! What an accomplishment! Madison and I were eating lunch in Greenwood Village Park behind CC State Park by the damn there and we saw you ride by in your blue top. I was going to yell, but didn't wanna scare you (or Madison).
Anyway, looks like I have quite a few posts to catch up on. Recover well my friend. :)
Ah! Congrats! I'm so glad you decided to do the ride. It looks beautiful!
YEAH GIRL! You freaking rocked it! 100 baby! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!
Jill you are now a cyclist!!! Like it or not! I'm so glad that I had you next to me for that ride. You help me get through some of the hard time and made it a ton of fun! I'm so pleased with the job we did and the strong finish!
THANK YOU!
Outstanding job! Tour de France is next.... I hear that they dont have hills (ha ha).
Enjoy your recovery!
Congrats, Jill!! I'm so happy for you that you didn't have any issues during this race. I had a feeling you'd go for the 100! Beautiful photos!!
wOOt! you're awesome! :D
xo
I am so happy for ya girl! I was thinking about you all day and sending you nothing but good vibes!
Congrats on your first century! That's awesome...and it looked tough, too. I envy how scenic your riding is there. You are tough!
holy cow!!!! That is fabulous!!! I'm so proud of you!
I agree with you about the endurance vs speed thing, it's amazing what you can accomplish if you hang in there.
Congrats! : )
A very big huge awesome Congratulations Runwithjill! You have motivated me enough even to go ride 1 mile or 3? lol. I can't imagine 100 right now. Thanks for sharing your 100 mile story. Will def try riding as cross training or something. Awesome Pics! Take care.
Holy hell.. You're my hero!!!!!!!!!
I just did a happy dance for you. You rock! Have I told you lately that you're my hero? :)
I'm a total spaz on a bike so I can't imagine making it 100 miles without a mishap. Uber impressive.
Take 2 went awesome for you!! yay Jill! I am loving your pictures!! You are so adorable! laughing!!!
100 miles is AMAZING!!! wow!
WOO HOO! Congratulations, you are awesome :) if it weren't for miles 50-99, I might try it myself - ha ha!
Awesome job, I am so impressed!
I AM SOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I did tell you this ride is more mentally tough then physically, i forgot to mention the mental wall disappears towards the end. Jill the cyclist!!! Nice ring to it!! Welcome to the century club
CONGRATS!!! That is an AWESOME ride, Jill.
I just love what you wrote here:
"I am learning to tame the beast of doubt and discouragement and pushing myself through the thin membrane of I can't do this to the wide, open space of well, maybe I can."
That's what it's all about.
YAY!! I am so excited for you!!
I also love what you wrote in the line Small Town wrote. You are an awesome writer. AND KICK ASS RIDER!!
Congrats - I am glad you did that!
You are amazing. You are my inspiration. I can only aspire to do 50 at this point. The pics are great. Look at you smiling at Mile 88! Woot Woot! What's next? Plus it isn't just the 100. It is massive elevation. You can do anything!
Proud of you! XOX
Congratulations on your AMAZING adventure! Love all the beautiful pictures!
Congrats on what sounds like a completely amazing endeavor! I hope that someday I can say I managed to bike 100 miles...in the freaking mountains! The mountains are the reason we are moving out to Colorado and a ride like this is definitely going on my list of things to accomplish! Great job...and thanks for the idea for my list! :)
Holy Macaroni! Yes, that is the phrase that came to mind when I read the title of your post. Congrats on riding your first century.
But wasn't it 101 miles to the bar?
Good for you - it would take me two months to bike 100 miles because I typically die of boredom after 20...
We are two peas in a pod. If I EVER have to pick between speed and endurance I will ALWAYS pick endurance:)
Wow-I cannot even offer words to let you know how happy I am for you! 100 MILES-seriously AMAZING. I've never even come close to that! Such a testament to your will right now Jill. Lemons into lemonade. PROUD OF YOU!! Sure hope you enjoyed every bite of that burger!!!!
Great pics! Love mile 76! The real deal:) Anyway, congrats again Jill. I hope you're still flyin' high-you deserve it!
I'm pretty sure I have never biked 100 miles in my life! Way to go!!!!
Bike with Jill!!!
great ride
you are officially now a BIKER
that is an awesome job on the ride Jill....but I dont appreciate you passing those mechanical issues to me last wknd:)
D
I don't know that ibuprofen is considered fuel during a workout...
How did you climbt Mt Everest 400 times and only gain 2000 ft of elevation?
All jokes aside - you're incredible!! Congrats on the 100-on -your-ass. Next up IS Leadville and 100-on-your-feet ;)
Jilly beans... you rock . . .
even if you didn't wear orange
Hey Jill! Got you in my blog roll. As I told Julie after her post, you guys *almost* make me want to try biking. And then I remember that derailleur business....no derailleurs in running....I'll stick to running. :^)
woooohoooo! congrats!
HOORAAAAY, JILL!!!! I'm pretty sure I would die...
So So So Awesome lady!!! The ride looks gorgeous!
And mental games are the worst. Glad you had a friend to help you through!!!
When I see reports like that it makes me want to give it a try too!!!
So happy for you Jill!!! You are one tough cookie. Congratulations to you.
Jill, it was great meeting you on Sunday. Congrats on your ride. I hope we get to see each other at other events.
So happy to see you out there exceeding expectations again. I imagine your behind was a bit sore, but well worth it. Nice job!!
Congrats on making it the century distance. Just shows how damn strong you are. Running, shmunning. You can ride 100 miles in a day!!!!!!!!!!
Whoa, you stud. 100 miles is pretty impressive. And, you got a second wind at mile 78? Who does that? Oh, I know, Jill the Stud Biker does.
Nice job. Now about about a pic of that Zensah bra on you.
AH! 100 miles!!?? YOu rock, I'm in awe! What excellent fitness you must have and just imagine what great cross training you're doing. Love it, Jill!
Yum, that burger looks great. You earned every ounce of it!
Hugs!
Congrats on your first 100 miles!!!! A lot of beautiful pictures to tell us your fantastic adventure: congrats, brava!!!!!
I miss my bike. My wife said: the bike or the wife. mmmmmm
That pic at aid station mile 76 is hilarious!! I'm not sure if I could sit down for days if I had biked that far. Ouch! The view looks beautiful!!
Just loving these pics still!!
Your post has MADE my weekend - what a victory! 100 miles is INCREDIBLE and how far have you come - physically and mentally! I am SO incredibly impressed with you - in awe!
JILL You've DONE this!
Good for you!! Very impressive.
I love the aid station picture..and the burgers look delicious. You deserve it!!
Wow, what a beautiful day. Congrats on such a great accomplishment! I have never rode more than 62 miles but I hope to get up to 100 this summer.
so awesome!
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