Well I survived the IMLOU course (or, at least, the parts that count), and now my brain is mush. My 4.5 hour planned ride for yesterday was postponed due to rain, so I did my 2:15 (10 mile) run on the treadmill instead. I considered how this might influence my bike today as my legs were a bit tired and stiff afterwards, but I’ve heard that in order to get stronger you have to sometimes train on fatigued muscles.
It was an early wake-up call of 5:00 a.m. in order for me to get ready, stop by the gas station, then make my way to the Kroger in Prospect to meet up with Nick and Eric. I must admit that, once again, I had that split-second thought when the alarm went off to put this ride off and go out on my own later today on a more familiar, flat course. I was still just completely intimidated at the thought of the IMLOU course, and my lack of confidence nearly got the best of me. But…I told myself that the only way to know what it’s really like is to do it myself, and so I left for the course with a 6:30 a.m. start time in mind.
As we took off up Hwy 42 our first long incline was upon us quite quickly. I had anticipated this one, as I had gone as far as a half mile or so past this point a few times before. Pretty soon we were cruising right along and making small talk in anticipation of 1694 – or as I like to call it, “the dreaded 1694.” I have heard horror stories about two large hills that you have to take twice, as this section is an out-and-back. However, although they were long, slow inclines there wasn’t too much of a grade and when it was all said and done I thought to myself, “Hmm, that wasn’t too bad.”
Off we went again as we made a right down 42 once more, and onto 393. Now…I had also heard that this road had some hills, but I don’t recall anything about just how many. I really shot myself in the foot when, not long after we made that right hand turn I thought, “I LOVE this road.” Of course that was just prior to seeing that first hill. And then another. And another. In all, I believe I counted at least 5 nice sized hills on this road before we finally came up to our first stopping point – a gas station where we could refuel our goods if needed.
At this point Nick, who was always so optimistic and smiling throughout this course, asked how I was doing. I began to tear up and told him that the hills were getting to me. He asked if it was my breathing or legs or what. “All of it,” I told him. He gave me some words of encouragement, but since we were only 25 miles into the course, and I was imagining all the miles and hills left to come, I was starting to dread the rest of the ride. Honestly, the only thing that kept me from turning back at that point was knowing that I would have to conquer 393 once more and that was NOT going to happen.
A left we took down our next road (I think LaGrange Rd, maybe?) and it wasn’t bad at all. A few small rollers here and there and Nick even mentioned that this portion was a bit of a break after 393. A welcome break it was, and my mind started to get a little more right down this stretch. My memory is a little fuzzy, so I can’t recall if it was at this point where we took a right down some nice country roads, or a left on to Ballard School Road. Regardless, Ballard School was another portion I had heard stories about but, all in all, it wasn’t that bad. Maybe because it felt shorter. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t “fun” by any means, but after 1694 and 393 this seemed tame in comparison. Still, it was somewhere around this point that I began to wonder who I could call to come pick me up if I threw in the towel and decided I could do no more hills.
Another left down a quasi-short road and we came upon our second stop – another gas station. At this point I definitely needed some cold liquid as my water bottles had since melted and were lukewarm. Nick also bought a bag of ice and it was refreshing to plop some into my water bottles as well as rub across my arms. I’m not sure the temperature at this point, but we were looking at about 9:30 a.m. and the sun had been shining for a while. I seriously don’t know how people did IMLOU in August. I directed a question towards Nick that I wasn’t sure that I wanted to know the answer to: “How many more roads do we go down that have massive hills?” Imagine my delight when I heard that we had already put the three toughest portions behind us, and all we had to do now was take Hwy 42 back into town. Shew!
Shew, that is, until I realized just how long Hwy 42 was going to be. At one point I saw a sign that said “Louisville 33,” yet knowing that we weren’t riding all the way back into the city limits, I knew we had less mileage than this to go. I was honestly just keeping my eyes peeled for 393 and 1694 again so I could at least know that we were in the home stretch and what to expect. And even though there were no massive hills on the way back, rolling hills are still hills and I still loath them more than most things in life (at least, at that time). There was also a nice headwind that had picked up, which made things tough. To the point that I looked down to read that I was going just 12.8 mph. Well that’s not gonna get me to the end of the course on time come race day, I thought. Still, I pedaled on with Nick’s encouragement and with the end in sight.
At some point a car slowed down beside me and I heard a gal calling my name. Well there was Miss Terri Torres singing her salutations to me, and this did give me a little pick me up. Terri and I did our first Olympic triathlon together in 2010, and she is a multiple Ironman finisher, including Louisville. She is a supportive and awesome chick!
Up ahead I did managed to see the signs for 393, and shortly after 1694. How happy I was to know that we had just a little ways to go. I remember thinking that if I was asked to do that course again there was no way I could. However, what also popped into my mind is that I’ve often said the same thing about running. During a 5k I can’t imagine doing a 10k. During a 10k I can’t imagine a half-marathon. After a half I couldn’t imagine if someone told me, “now go out there and do it again.” Yet, I always manage to finish whatever mileage is thrown at me. I’ve already made a mental note to keep this in mind during these training rides.
A few hills up ahead and we were back to the portion of the route that finally looked familiar to me. One more right turn onto River Road, then a left shortly after to take me back to the car gave me a total of 63 miles in 4:20 with a 14.4mph average. Nick and Eric went straight up River Road to get in a total of 70, but I was mentally and physically toast so I opted out at that point.
Back at the car I racked my bike, donned my running shoes, and strapped on my fuel belt before heading out for a 30 minute transition walk/run. I had started to feel bloated about 50 miles into the ride, so I was fairly certain this walk/run would turn into a mostly walk and I was correct! By this time it was 11:30 and the sun was going to be the hottest it was all day, and with little cloud coverage in the sky to shield me from its rays I knew I wouldn’t be worth much speed-wise. I made it a little ways up River Road before turning onto Mayfair for a 15 minute out-and-back. As per usual, my tummy began talking to me right around the turn-around point and I began looking for a place to pop a squat, knowing there was no way I would make it back to Kroger. Long story short, there is now a log in the side field of someone’s property that bears the essence of Connie. Needless to say, I felt much better afterwards and back to the car I went.
Closing thoughts: 1) Body Glide is a Godsend. 2) I hope people don’t think I’m snobby for not talking during rides. When I’m struggling mentally I find it hard to get into a conversation, and I just want to focus on how to get through the next mile. 3) My left calf isn’t bothering me thus far, but the knee is still giving me fits. 4) My booty hurts. 5) Can I really do this?
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