A few weeks ago I did my first mountain climb up Cypress which nearly killed me, luckily there was an ice cream truck on the way down and we stopped for some much needed sustenance.
Vince enjoying his Spideysicle
The week after that we decided to tackle Mt Seymour. It was painful but I didn't near death so I considered that an improvement over the week before. We added some extra miles so that when I got home I had done 125km that day.
At the top of Mt Seymour
Our victory food, Cinnamon Buns from Cobs
Sunday night I was planning out my bike ride for Monday and I got the crazy idea to do a Century which is a 100 mile ride, that's 161km.
I woke up Monday morning feeling a little sore from my 20km run Saturday afternoon but was still determined to complete my first Century. I packed a lot of food to ensure my body would be fueled for this undertaking and left to meet the boys. I knew Vince and Matt would be coming but I wasn't sure who else would be coming. When I reached the meeting place Sherwood was there waiting and shortly after Barry arrived. My plan was to take the ride nice and easy so that my legs would hold out but with these two there I knew that wasn't going to happen; I don't think they have a slow gear, so I was a little worried about how this ride would proceed.
Once the whole party was together we set off. Our ride to Deep Cove was not insanely fast but near the end of it I was having trouble just staying in their draft; clearly I was the weakest link there. I managed to hang on and soon we cut over to Mt Seymour. I decided to take the ascent easy and I was surprised at how much nicer that felt. After Mt Seymour we once again stopped at Cobs Bread for some tasty snacks and then proceeded onward. We went to Indian River Road and then headed west to Horseshoe Bay. Now it was time to head home.
As I continued my ride, the pain in my stomach grew stronger and stronger. It became sharp and breathing became a burden. Every time I drank or ate anything it hurt. I pushed on anyway. Fears of some internal rupture filled my mind but I pushed them aside and kept riding. And then, believe it or not my spleen ruptured! I didn't know what it was at the time but the sharp shooting pain in my stomach forced me to stop my bike. I fell to the ground grasping my mid section in agony. I knew something was wrong so I called 911. Everything after that was a blur, I have mild recollections of the ambulance ride but mostly I just remember waking up and having the doctor explain to me what happened. Okay, not really. No rupture. But that was the scene that played in my mind. I pushed on. It was strength vs will, me vs the road.
My bike computer wasn't working so I had no idea what my total distance was. I knew that after Vince and I separated I had to complete 26 more km to reach the 100 mile mark and I thought I had done it. I went home and mapped out my ride. The total distance: 100.002 miles. Talk about calling it close.
My First Century
It feels great having accomplished this goal. It was a challenge but rewarding and that's what it's all about.
