To REACH! My last blog before the big event

So today was my last long ride.  "Wondering with Ralph Century" OMG!!  That is so Ralph! Love how he names his rides! We missed you Steve !!!!!   Ride link is listed below:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/983480

Stats:
100 miles ( the ride link included Ralphs ride from another starting point)
Average speed 14.7 mph
6 hours 46 minutes not including stops
Grades up to 12.9%
elevation 5338/-5303ft
Overall was just an easier hilly ride..( Ralph will say though I complained every time I saw a "hill"). Ralph spared me as he knows how I hate climbs!!!
Beat my highest speed to date: 41.2 mph ( that was a fun ride down... :) )


This century was very different than my first one.  My legs started to scream at about 80 miles... much later than the first century.  Although I will say my knees started talking much earlier :/ ouch!!!  I didn't have the emotional experience as I did at the 85 mile mark last time...Or the wanting to give up at 94 miles.  It was quite a good ride overall.  Of course I was tired and by the end my legs were very exhausted..  The walk up the stairs when I returned home and the slow crawl into the bath was another story hahaha!!!  Epsom salt and long soak, some ben gay, a short cat nap and I'm good!!!  Now to this 6 times over ..... that was the sound of my chin hitting the desk... OMG!!    But really...all kidding aside.  What an amazing experience,  a once in a lifetime.. To be chosen was such a great honor.. To represent the memory of Anne Marie McSweeney and ultimately encouraging women's cyclist across the country... Although slow I may be (I'm working on that though - This season!!).... I hope to show other women courage, determination, endurance and the ability to reach for something that perhaps seemed impossible to achieve.  You go GIRLS!!!  Go get it! 

Lastly... but probably the most important component of my training... RALPH!!!!!!  WOW... without him there pushing me along.. I don't know how I would have done it.  Without me even knowing, he would teach me something every time... or do something that would force me to push just a little bit harder.  I remember my first century when I wanted to give up.... he distracted me without even knowing what he was doing and by the time I knew it I was over the 100 mile mark.  Even today as we climbed... and I complained about the "hill" he did his magic again. When I was running slow...  He didn't wait for me because he knew I push just that much harder to catch up to him.   He was the one that waited for me on the team rides... when I was - as I say it "spit out" haha!!!  Ralph NEVER EVER GAVE UP ON ME!!!!     I hope to make him proud on this adventure too!   and BTW... don't you and your beauty other half run off too fast to NC... I need to place on the PMR... and need your help.. hahah!!!! Smiles to you :)

So there you have I will finish the week with short easy rides.  I will not be blogging until my journey starts on Saturday.   I will bring you along with me that week on my journey!!!!   Until then!!!