So yesterdays superset took every ounce of everything out of me today, and it hit me with quite brutal force. I really should learn to not bite off more than I can chew - but when I feel good I just want to go with it because I never know when things are going to go pear shape again. And pear shaped they went today.
Members from the Tri club all met at the local Coffee Club for a group shot (I am hoping to get an article in a Tri Mag about our club) and then we all set out for a morning ride just as the sun was starting to get a bit of sting to it - 6am. There is nothing I like better then doing a group ride - the camaraderie between us all is fantastic. I even got to spend some time out the front of the pack - slightly daunting but exhilarating. As we continued the ride some of the boys took a different-harder route and some turned around as they had a shorter ride planned for the day. Was nice to catch up with them.
I felt strong and ready to rock this Cobbitty ride - but at the same time had some hesitancy as I knew what lay ahead and my back was starting to give me some grief. So we did a bit of a stop and I was able to take 2 Ibuprofen before we headed off for what I can only describe as an extremely challenging ride both mentally and physically.
Heading up through Cobbitty we realised we had lost 2 - one of the girls got a flat and Shane being the gentleman that he is held back to give her a hand. As we were waiting for them a few familiar faces passed us bye as they too were going to tackle the infamous Cobbitty loop. As Shane and Kate made their way back to us we took off again and it was here that the fun (not) began.
Initially I tackled those first 2 hills without too much problem - back was sore but tolerable. I was even thinking to myself how well I had done. But then with every rise there after things just got worse - I got slower, back got more painful and then I fizzled. I told one of the girls that I would meet them all at the top as she passed me and just thought I would plod along at my own pace - 9km/hr. I stopped twice this ride through Cobbitty which was more annoying then you could imagine, but there was nothing I could do. I stopped, lent over my Tri bars and just rested and sulked. Yes, I was feeling sorry for myself as I walked my bike up.
But no sooner did I start my walk the guys which had taken off for their harder ride rode up behind me and asked me how I was - I really just wanted to cry - but held it in. They stuck by me and I got on my bike and made it up the hill to meet everyone at the rendezvous point - Shane made his way back down to find me but didn't see me in the boys pack - but thankfully was told before he too had to do the hill again.
The next hill I died again only this time I was assisted up by Drew - he literally pushed me up - Thankyou. From that point on I was good - in pain but good. I even got to draught off another member - what an awesome feeling it is to get a free ride. I am really appreciative of everyone's help - without you all I think I may have turned around and headed back down the hill. Need to get my headspace into the game.
As we made our way back down the mountain I was all for just heading home, and told all that is what I was doing - but made the decision to ride back to the car with Kylie as the others were continuing with a longer ride. From that point on the 2 things that hurt was my back and undercarriage, but the company was lovely.
Reaching the car was like heaven - and seeing 2 smiley faces at the end made me feel better. When I finally made it home all I wanted to was have a shower and collapse on the couch and that is just what I did after eating lunch of course. My back is still sore so will have another dose of Ibuprofen before I head to bed. I have refuelled with a really good dinner - ribs, salad and pasta with pesto and loads of water. How was everyone's weekend?
