It's a very slow process - two steps forward, one step back - but I'm inching in the right direction. - Rob Reiner

June 25, 2011

My First 42 Miler!!

I completed my first 42 miler this morning....on a bike.....not running.  Before this morning the longest ride I had ever been on was 25 miles.  I know 42 miles on a bike is not a great accomplishment and that many of you have gone a lot farther, but for me, it was an accomplishment.  About this time last year, I started riding a bike again for the first time in over 10 years.  I purchased a road bike, and was learning to ride on those thin tires for the first time ever.  I was scared and timid.  I would ride a trail near my house for 7 miles and thought I was really doing something.  I was probably averaging around 10 mph.  I was scared to death most of the time.  Then I started riding with a group around Longview Lake and I did a 12 mile ride.  Wow, I couldn't believe it 12 miles!  I rode that same 12 mile loop last year probably 20-30 times.  I never really pushed myself much farther than that.  I think the most mileage I did last summer was 15 miles.  This summer, with my Olympic Tri training I've had to push my cycling a bit farther and I have been doing about 25 miles on the weekend, so to make the jump from 25 to 42 was pretty big.



This morning, I got out and rode with probably at least 500 other riders in the Tour De Lakes.  I was nervous, I had never ridden a bike with that many people around.  However, I knew this was the type of thing that would make me stronger and push me outside of my comfort zone.  I was going to ride farther than ever today; I was going to do a route that was unfamiliar; I was going to have to clip in and out of my pedals at least a dozen times; and I was going to have to ride in a "pack" of other riders.  I am happy to say I didn't fall.....I almost did once, but clipped out just in time.  I was really happy with my riding ability today.  I wasn't fast, but this wasn't a race.  The course was hilly and hills really take it out of me, but I got through it and really felt great until around mile 35 or so.

The day turned out to be pretty awesome.  I picked up my girlfriend Michelle, and then we met up with another friend Susan and her son Jake, and another girl from our Tri 102 class Sunita.  So the 5 of us set out together.  For all of us, it was our longest ride ever.  Although it was pretty humid out this morning, it was only in the 70s.  The sky was overcast so we didn't have the sun to deal with.  It was really just about perfect, but then about 10 miles in, it started to rain pretty hard.  None of us were very experienced "rain" bikers, but we pushed through and it stopped raining after just a couple of miles.  We were all soaked though and a bit chilly.  But at the end of the day we completed 42 miles and we were all pretty happy with ourselves.

I realize this wasn't a terribly exciting post, but it's still nice to share small accomplishments with my bloggy friends!

24 comments:

  1. Congrats!!! That is awesome and 42 miles is a big deal! Way to step out of your comfort zone and kick some butt!

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  2. I thought of you this morning--especially when it started to rain! I think 42 miles is AWESOME! Great job!!

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  3. 42 miles of anything that's not in a car is impressive. Making the jump from 25 to 42 in a single bound is even more impressive. Pretty cool reading the history of how you got back on the bike. All these stories of bikes and Tris are starting to get to me. Could be something new to try in 2012 ...

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  4. Yeah!! Congrats girl!! 42 is definitely a huge accomplishment... OWN IT!!

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  5. Don't belittle your accomplishment. Any first is reason to celebrate (except maybe your first haemmorrhoid) and 42 miles sounds like a really long ride for this non-cyclist. Well done on finishing and really well done for not falling.

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  6. Awesome job! Sounds like the ride was a lot of fun. Who knows, before long we may see you completing a century out there!

    And your biking journey reminds me of training for a marathon last year, it was always exciting to pass a new mileage barrier. Don't shortchange yourself, you are inspiring to people! Who knows, I might have to buy a road bike and get out there.

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  7. Michael... I thought you did GREAT yesterday on that ride! And just for the record, it was way outside of my comfort zone as well, and significantly further than I've ever gone before too! We did it! Thanks for letting me tag along with you guys. Jake and I had a blast!

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  8. Rallies are great places to hit new bests in distance. There are stops to help with nutrition/hydration and the the drive to complete an event will always get you through those last few miles. Great job! Glad to hear you stuck it out and kept riding when the rain hit. Congrats!!

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  9. Don't put yourself down. This is a nice accomplishment! Well done.

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  10. That's awesome!! I've never ridden that far before either! I would have been timid in the rain, it's just those tires are so thin right!!?

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  11. This is an awesome accomplishment! Be proud of it! 42 miles, especially after your previous longest of 25, that's amazing! Great job!

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  12. Congratulations. I think 42 miles is quite the accomplishment especially since I'm just starting to ride again. Great job. The 500 people would make me nervous too!

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  13. 42 miles? Holy smokes. Great job. I hate the "getting out of my comfort zone" thing. It's a necessary evil though. You are inspiring, Michael.

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  14. Wait to go Michael!! I am so incredibly proud of you! I love how you just keep pushing forward and accomplishing new goals.

    So inspiring to me!

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  15. I disagree. I think it was an exciting post. Your enthusiasm is gushing in your words and it was cool that you did this. I have NEVER rode anywhere close to 42 miles so to me, I'm impressed.

    Congrats for the great ride.

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  16. Whaddya mean, not exciting?? I'm thrilled for you! 42 miles is huge and riding in a group like that would be WAY outside my comfort zone, too, so you earned extra points for that.
    Your cycling journey sounds a lot like mine - I'm still amazed that I even consider riding for 20 - 30 miles. Great job!!

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  17. I almost had an anxiety attack when I saw 42 miles... I was like, there is NO way she still has her legs after that run! Whew! Thank goodness it was a bike ride and WAY TO GO! That is such an accomplishment!

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  18. Do NOT put yourself down. This is great! I can totally relate believe me. I am very impressed with so many things. The distance, the clipless pedals, the hard rain and you kept riding so many miles after it, the CROWD, That is a big jump in mileage and you did it!

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  19. Wahoo!! Congrats! That is awesome. You must be so stoked!! I am excited for you!

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  20. 42 is huuuuugeeee congrats!!!

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  21. Good job! You've gone farther than I have. :) I think my longest bike ride is about 36 miles. Maybe I'll throw one 40+ miler in there in the next few weeks.

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  22. That is AWESOME! Congratulations, I know that has to feel sooooooo good :)

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  23. Congrats AND 42 miles is a big deal. I wished I lived closer, I would bike with you.

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