Saturday was the Triple Bypass. The preparation actually started Friday night, with dinner at Andrea and Marge's house. We had a really great pasta dinner (thanks Andrea!) and good company before heading home to get to bed early. I slept like a baby Friday night and the alarm came very early at 4:00 am the next morning. We packed up the car and headed out by 4:30 to the start in Evergreen. We didn't see as many cars with bikes on the highway like we did with Elephant Rock-that is, until we exited onto Evergreen Parkway. I was getting pretty excited at this point. Police were directing traffic and everyone seemed to be super pumped up to get going. We parked and starting getting our things together. The temperature was warm-no jacket required at the start, which was fantastic. We knew there were showers expected later in the day, so it was important to get through Idaho Springs before noon (which was easy to do). We were chatting with the guy parked next to us while getting ready (a local guy from Conifer who had done 3 Triples before) when he realized he forgot his wristband (required to get across the start and at aid stations). He jumped in the car still in his cycling shoes and took off for his house to retrieve it.
A few minutes later we were ready and met up with Andrea and Marge to ride to the start. The nerves were kicking in a bit, but not too badly. It was crowded, so we dropped off our duffel bags at the truck that would take them to the finish, made a quick stop at the port-a-potties, and headed up to the start. At this point, we were all pretty relaxed. Andrea and Marge started and that was the last we saw of them on the course. :) Brad and I started, and after a quick stop to fix my computer we were on our way. I was having trouble with my left cleat again (damn cleats-still not right since I crashed at Elephant Rock) so while the climb up Squaw wasn't bad at all, the technical side of it was just annoying. Halfway up I saw my buddy from the jersey exchange who had traveled here from Pennsylvania to ride. We exchanged a few words before he took off, looking strong. The Triple was a short ride for him-he usually does 200 mile or more rides. About two miles from the top of Squaw Brad took off to use the restrooms at the top, making sure I was okay to continue on my own. He really had to go so I insisted he go ahead and we'd meet at the aid station. About a mile from the top my coworker Holly rode up beside me and we rode into the aid station together. First pass done!
Upon inspection of my cleat, I realized I was missing a screw, which meant that I could turn my shoe around as much as I wanted but that thing was not going to pop out of the pedal. I headed to the mechanic tent, and he fixed me up. For the first time in a long time my shoes felt normal! I was pretty excited about that. We ate a little bit of bagel and a banana, filled up our water bottles and took off. Ahhh, sweet descent. It was surprising how few people were descending-a lot of people rested for awhile at the first aid station. We had the road practically to ourselves as we flew down into Idaho Springs. A quick stop there for some Advil, a GU, some disrobing (it was HOT) and to reapply sunscreen and we were off again. We rode onto the frontage road, and I drafted off of Brad since there was a headwind. We were still making good time.
We made it to the second aid station in Georgetown, where we wolfed down trail mix and sliced oranges. The oranges were HEAVEN. We filled up our water bottles again (we were doing really great at staying hydrated and eating), hit the bathroom again (another good sign-having to pee means that you are maintaining good hydration levels in your body-if we didn't have to pee that would mean our body was absorbing all the fluids it could and we would be deficient) and headed out for the mountain bike portion of the ride. I'm kidding-just slightly. We knew the pavement would end and we were going to have to ride on dirt, but it was bad. Very rocky and sandy. It was only a 2 mile stretch-and it actually went by really quickly since we were so focused on avoiding flats. We emerged from the dirt road to ride past Georgetown lake. The wind had died down slightly, and as we were riding we met a couple-the husband living in Golden, and the wife in Merrimack, New Hampshire-holla! We chatted with them for a bit but seperated once we got up to the railroad area (can't remember the town). Here we got on a bike path and started the serious ascent up to Loveland. Just pass the pulloff for the bighorn sheep scenic area, Brad realized I had a flat rear tire. That made sense-I felt like I was pushing really hard and not getting very far, but had attributed it to the climbing and altitude (we were at about 9,000 ft at that point). We pulled off to the side of the trail to change the flat. Rear flats suck because you have to navigate the chain and derailleur, where the front tire just pops off. I changed the flat pretty quickly, but when we put the tire back on the bike it wasn't turning smoothly. We kept trying to figure out what was wrong but couldn't, and finally a nice guy stopped to help. He figured out the problem (the spring was all messed up and my tired was also rubbing on the brakes) and after 40 minutes of repair, we were up and running again. It was getting late now, and it was really hot. We got back onto a frontage road, where I needed a couple of breaks due to the heat. I was almost out of fluids at this point, as was Brad, and we needed to get to the Loveland aid station. We finally crossed the bridge and got on I-70 for six miles. The shoulder was really wide, but it was still loud, hot and stressful. I led this portion and just settled into a rhythm, focusing on road signs and poles to get me through. I just kept repeating "Sign. Sign. Sign." until I got to the sign, then focused on a pole and kept repeating "Stick. Stick. Stick." until I got there (I was going for the alliteration, not necessarily the most accurate term). :) People were dropping like flies on I-70. Two sag wagons (assistance vehicles) picked up 4-5 riders. I knew I could get to the aid station so I didn't even consider a sag. We finally exited and climbed another quarter mile to the aid station. I was not in good shape. We dropped our bikes near the entrance and had to walk a decent distance to the tents. My entire body was tingling, I was dizzy, and having trouble walking. We saw Shannon, Jeff and Justin, and when they asked how I was, I said "Not good." I ate half a turkey sandwich, about ten Nilla Wafers (ooh, they tasted good) and drank two bottles of water while we rested there. It was 3:00 and I was getting nervous about time. Shannon, Jeff and Justin headed out to start up Loveland Pass (4 short miles of climbing) while Brad and I rested for another ten minutes. I was determined to get up over the pass, since there was a long descent and flat after that (about 17 miles). We started climbing and I had to stop every 3/10ths of a mile. I was miserable. I thought I might throw up, and would stop and bend over my handlebars to try. I was so upset, and Brad was trying to help but I was so done. About half way up a sag wagon stopped to see if I was okay and I wasn't. After some deliberation (where I actually asked Brad what to do-and he said "get in the car, stupid." :) ) I loaded my bike and got into the truck with three other riders already there. Brad climbed the rest of the way up Loveland and almost beat the truck! He was looking strong. At the top, I found Shannon, Jeff and Justin, and we decided Brad would continue with them while I took the sag to the finish. It was heartbreaking to have to stop. But I was so sick, there was no way I could finish. I would 've been more of a liability and would've been putting myself in danger.
I met some fantastic volunteers driving in the sag (they shuttle you from one to another to get to the finish). I saw Brad and team at the Summit high school aid station, then met them at the finish. Total ride time for Brad was 9 hours, 55 minutes, which didn't include the stoppage for repair and eating. Total time out was 13 1/2 hours. He did amazing. I am so proud of him and so happy he was able to ride with shannon and finish. I met them at the finish at 7:20 pm. Everyone ate and we headed to the condo where Marge and Andrea were waiting with takeout menus and beer (and a nice drug cocktail for me from Marge). We had a great time rehashing the day and planning for next year. :) Sunday morning we boarded a bus back to the start (although slightly hard to drive back through our route and think about where things went wrong).
All in all, I'm very disappointed I didn't finish. I keep thinking about how I should've been stronger or tried harder, but I know I was sick and needed to stop (I still feel pretty bad, with a headache that won't go away and no appetite, also feeling kind of spaced out). In two weeks, Brad and I are going back up to the mountains so I can finish the ride-we'll start at the base of Loveland and ride into Avon. I already know how I'm going to train differently for next year, and I'll be stronger for my second attempt. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and support-it's still pretty tough for me to think about but I know I made the right choice (and if I hadn't, I think Brad would've forced me into that truck anyway). :)
So what's next? The remaining 60 miles of the Triple on July 25th, a 5k in New Hampshire August 5th, August 30th I am riding a 65 miler with some coworkers, and then we have the Pocatello Marathon Labor Day weekend (10k for me, Half for Brad). Then at the end of September I have the Duathlon (which I hope to kick butt in-2 mile run, 13 mile bike, 2 mile run). So no rest for the weary. :) I'll continue to blog about training and riding, and I'll post the Triple pictures as soon as I can. But for now, I'm taking the week off from riding and look forward to Brad's parent's visiting this weekend. We're golfing up in the mountains-and I'm getting a cart. :)
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