HOT!!!!

I stated in Feb that I was crazy by trying to do the Brrr ride in 10 degrees below zero, well I am still crazy I rode Sunday in 95+ degree weather in the Ride for Sight. From Ankeny to Colfax went great. Not to hot and the wind behind us but once we left Colfax things went down hill real fast. It was like the temp had gone up 20 degrees in 10 minutes. It got miserable and hilly. One of my regular riding routes is to Ira and the trail so I knew what we were in for. So once we got to Ira we hopped on the trail to Mingo. Well that is where I made a big mistake. I chose for Julie and I to take the rode instead of the trail. I had been on the trail many time but never been on the road now I know why it was hilly, hot and windy. Julie did a great job getting up the hills however the heat was to much. She decided to quit at mile 49. Another gentleman also stopped so I called the sag wagon and decided to troop on. There were a few more hills then I turned South and it was like a furnace hitting me in the face. I can usually handle the wind and heat if I take it slow however the combination on Sunday was deadly. I couldnt take enough water in the even begin to cool me off. I kept riding until the sag wagon caught up with me and then I gave it up. I rode 60 miles I would have loved to do the whole thing however I knew that I was near my limit when my heartrate wouldnt drop on the flats.

After I got home I took a nice shower and tried to take a nap however that was not to be after about a 1/2 hour the muscle spasms started. This spasm started in the arch of my foot, went up the inside of my leg into my groin. You know how with a charlie horse your muscle freezes up. That is what this was doing all the way up my leg. I didnt know whether to scream, puke or passout. I finally got down on the floor drank some water then bent my knee. This seemed to take the cramp out. Of course Bill was not home to be my hero. All of the action was done by the time he walked in the door.

I took today off and just rested. Tomorrow it is back to training. I just need to be more careful in the heat. Heat exhaustion in not something you want to mess around with.

I ride by myself so much that I can sometimes forget if there is someone with me. I need to be aware of how Julie is doing. I am lucky I have the chance to get out and ride during the week where Julie is busy with other responsibilities. She did great riding 49 miles, I am proud of her she rode with guts up the hills and in that miserable hot/windy weather. Sunday was not a day to be doing alot of physical exercise and she was out there determained to get as many miles in as she could. I will be more aware next time, getting the miles is not worth hurting a friend.

Peace...stay cool..keep riding carefully