Hi,

I finished my second Century Sunday, the Santa Fe Century in New Mexico. My total time was 8 hours, travel time 7 hours, 38 minutes. It was a great ride, with something like 4,000 feet of climbing. I've never ridden with 3,000 other cyclists before, what an experience!


I didn't do very well with refueling, only stopped at one of the rest stops, and ate half a banana. Otherwise, I ate stinger waffles and peanut m&m's, and my husband met me on the course a couple of times and filled up my water bottles. Won't do that again! I felt kind of weak around 80 miles and got worried that I might bonk. But I ate another stinger waffle and made it through. Next time I'm definitely going to eat better! I got nervous about not making the distance, and felt ok when going by the rest stops, so kept going. Not smart! I need to learn to relax and be confident that I can do it. Now that I've completed 2 centuries I need to tell myself to calm down and have fun, and stop stressing.

Another reason I worried about finishing was that I didn't do as many miles getting ready for this one, but I did climb our local mountain, 4,000 feet, several times during the weeks before the Century. Again, I wondered if I would make it since I had only done 3 longish rides in the weeks leading up to the century, a 50, 65, and 78 mile ride. But, I guess the climbing was enough to get me through. The trade off of intensity vs. quantity thing seems to work.

Anyway, I'm really happy with how I did. And, I'm amazed at the other cyclists that breezed by me, chatting and laughing like they were riding around the block. Amazing! I want to be like that!

Tabriz