Man, how times flies.
I can't believe that it's less than 100 days until the ride.
My first century ride in Palm Springs a few weeks ago was everything I thought it would be, but I learned a lot as well. I was as exhausted as expected, but I encountered a few things that I am glad to embrace at this stage before the big ride.
Overall, I came to the realization that we can accomplish far more than we think we can. We truly don't know what we are capable of, until we challenge ourselves. If you had told me a year ago that I would be pedaling 100 miles in a day, I would have thought you were crazy. And, as I crossed the finish line, it didn't seem like that big of a challenge.
I got some serious leg cramps on the ride. I hadn't ever gotten them while riding before. I didn't know if you pull over and stretch, or what you do, but luckily my buddy Albert was beside me, and he said you just pedal through them. I did, and they went away.
The sharp stabbing pain I got in my right foot, I learned, was from my shoe being too tight. Good to know.
More than anything, I realized it was an achievement in the journey to get to the big ride. It felt great.
It also makes me realize how much more training I need to do before June 5th. 1 day of intense riding is something...but 7 days in a row... wow.
