Now for these hills. These hills weren't daunting to look at it for the most part. But they were sneaky hills. Not real steep, but fairly long and the seemed to come more and more frequent from about mile 30 until the end. The last 20 miles it seemed like I would get to the top of a hill, start cruising down the backside only to look on the herizon at another hill quickly approaching. This was my longest ride so far. I had done 60 miles a couple of times, in the 50's several times, and I did a half ironman in June. But this course(hills) along with the heat really sucked the life out of me.

The 40 mile route instead of the 75 miler. Just kidding.

Just continue to increase my mileage and hill work.

I rode into the resort, rode to my Jeep, leaned my bike against the side, started it up, turned on the air conditioner, opened the back and just laid there for about 15-20 minutes. I was spent. I did not even have the life force to get back on my bike and ride the short ways down to the pool area where the post race meal and festivities were taking place. Once I was able to get back to my feet, I just loaded my bike and started home. I had 6 bottles of gatorade and 4 gel packs on the race course and then 2 more bottles of gatorade on the way home.


I guess the fact that I am a predominatly slow cyclist. That and those stupid hills. And that stupid heat. And all those miles.


That was a long drive to make myself miserable. It was an even longer drive after making myself miserable. But I am glad I did it. I got a 75 mile ride under my belt. Well get my 2nd half ironman under my belt in 5 weeks.