Super Century II

There's a Brad Paisley song I love which includes the lyric "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once..."  The Super Century, on the other hand, falls more under "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".

That said, I can't pretend I thought this year's Super Century would be fun.  I clearly remembered it as being gloriously terrible; I just emphasized the wrong part.  The original idea, the brainchild of Team Virtus's Casey, features a 100K indoor trainer ride (though alternate events such as 100 pull-ups, 11-mile foot races, and outdoor rides are welcome as well). The main goal is suffering (and burning off calories before the Super Bowl binge), and participants are encouraged to share their pain via facebook and twitter. 

Much like last year's edition, this was my first time on my road bike in months (like since July), and I can count my history of trainer rides without using all of my fingers.  True to form, I was looking forward to it with masochistic glee: "It's going to be so awful!"

Yeah, that's pretty much it...

Saturday was a busy day, so my Super Century preparation was pretty scanty.  I slept in until 8 or so (fantastic) and then went to do some trail building. GORC is eventually adding three new singletrack loops to our local mountain bike trails, and since I appreciate having such great trails I wanted to help out. Plus, it's really a good time.  You get to meet cool new people, get a good workout, and add to the trail system.  Win!


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Before/after...not of exactly the same spot, but you get the idea. We made a lot of progress.
 We had company Saturday night and had a good time playing games, so I didn't get started setting up my bike until 10ish (yes, you know you're living a wild life when that sounds late).  We played "Say Anything", and one of the cards I got asked the other players to guess my most prized possession.  The little chips show their guesses.

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They know me pretty well.
My mother-in-law was most impressed with my choice of "bike" -- to the point where she brought it up again at the Super Bowl party the next day -- but you can't ride a wedding ring. 

I got up at 5:20 for the 6:00 start, all because I had to run to the gas station for a diet soda and a coffee.  Pretty sure that's textbook addiction, but the morning was going to be bad enough without my morning caffeine.

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Ahhhh...now my day can start.
I made it back to the house in time to start the Super Century right on time, only to deal with one problem after another.  A Netflix password I didn't know...a ridiculously complicated DVD/surround sound set-up...a bike computer that would register time but not mileage.  The Super Century sucked before I even started riding.  I had it better than, Luke, though, who dealt with two flats and a messed up brake, and Patrick, who I think went through three bikes during his ride.

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Finally on my bike and riding, I was quickly reminded how miserable last year had been.  Literally within 5 miles I was bargaining with myself about how far I was going to ride before I quit.  Luckily, I had friends suffering with me and sharing their pain via facebook and twitter.  Luke, Casey, Bob, Patrick, Kube, Anne, Robby, Christina, Dave, Aaron, Jim, Fletcher, Chad, Brian, and Greg all participated in one form or another.  Kathy, who'd kicked major butt last year, overslept and missed out on all the "fun".

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1/4 finished...time for a 5-min break
I started out watching "The Big Lebowski", which I didn't love but probably missed a lot of due to volume issues.  I'll have to give it anothe try.  Once that was over I woke up my husband to get the Netflix password and spent the next hour and a half watching "Ride the Divide", a documentary about the Tour Divide, a mountain bike race along the Continental Divide from Banff to New Mexico.  My bucket list may have grown by one while watching that movie, and while I know how silly that sounds from someone who couldn't even finish Dirty Kanza (or, for that matter, who whimpered her way through a 62 mile trainer ride), it calls to me.  I particularly loved this quote from Matthew Lee, who during the documentary was on his way to his fifth finish:

"Life's too short not to take adventures like this; you have to make these types of experiences a priority."


I mean, YES, right??

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Definitely the best part of my Super Century experience
At 40 miles I stopped for cookies n cream ice cream, which had been my savior last year.  It was still good, but no miracle cure this year. 

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2/3 of the way finished.
Dave Chappelle didn't do the trick for me either, so I scrolled through Netflix looking for something to draw my attention away from my aching sitting parts.  Shark Week and the Red Bull Rampage were momentary diversions, but Sahara is what finally did the trick.  Thank you, Matthew McConaughey!

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Not loving the experience
All along I kept working towards baby step goals...just get to 20 miles...just get to 30 miles...after mile 40 I let myself get off the bike every 5 miles for a minute or so.  The last 12 miles passed by more quickly with some intervals: .1 mile pedalling hard, .2 miles recovery, repeat.  I couldn't have been more relived when my bike finally hit 62 miles and I could get off the saddle.

#supercentury done!!
Ahh, no makeup and sweaty and disgusting...and just to be very clear, numbers like 18 mph were only seen on my bike during faster intervals. 
My 62 miles took me 4 hours and 8 minutes, but that's only ride time and doesn't include my 5-minute breaks, bathroom stops, etc.  Encouragingly, my back and legs felt pretty good for the duration, so I just have to build up my saddle endurance.  Maybe from now on I'll just watch movies from my bike seat instead of the love seat. :)  After all, Dirty Kanza is only 4 months away, and I'll need to be in the saddle for an additional 140 miles that day.

So, goals...

1) Stay strong and avoid Super Century III
2) Weekly bike trainer rides of at least 45 minutes until it's warm enough to ride outside.

Also, Luke posted this hilarious video from last weekend's trip to Ray's MTB Park.  I can't watch it without laughing, but it's really only the tiniest peek at what a good time we had there.  Watch it...I dare you not to smile. :)


Comments

  1. That video was hilarious! I was already laughing when that music started, I have to admit.

    Um, yes, you are crazy! That sounds truly painful to me. (You should give Lebowski another chance though.)

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  2. I'm dying at the "expert section" sign...I'm sure I'd have a hard enough time on the baby beginner section. Today I managed to fall riding my aerobars for the first time...but you probably knew that before I even told you :).

    Oh good golly Miss SK, what am I going to do with you!?!? I thought when I read "century" you were riding 100 miles, so I was at least glad to see if was 'ONLY' 100k. I would have to subscribe to Netflix just to do that ride with you guys or there'd better be some good House Hunters marathon on!! Well done, girlie girl. I hope your girl bits are happier after a day's rest and you're planning your next big adventure! :)
    xo

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  3. fun video - wish I could've been there! remember speed is your friend! (and elbow and knee pads....)

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  4. you are amazing. do you ever get tired of me telling you that? it's always true, you know.

    you. are. amazing.

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  5. You always have another surprise up your sleeve. That sounds very hard and only someone like you can finish a ride like that, well done! Good training anyhow.

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  6. Had similar feelings about Ride the Divide. It was definitely the right inspiration for the SuperCentury. Not sure that my bucket list changed, but still a great watch. And Matthew is right - must make time for adventures. Thanks for always inspiring me to tackle things outside of my comfort zone. You and your teammates are all rock stars. Let me know if you want me to virtually ride with you some other time.

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  7. 62 miles on a trainer is no joke, nicely done!

    It's a good thing you all had armor on for that indoor bike riding.

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  8. I am still in awe, frankly, that you decided to do the super century again! Last year you had so much fun ;)

    And holy crap - I could watch that video over and over again. So awesome!

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  9. That is a pretty awesome and funny video...I love dangerous funny! lol

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  10. Kate, you and I both know we'll be doing the Super Century III. I swore I'd never do it again, and I'm sticking to that... for now. But I know I'll cave in again. And so will you.

    Thanks for being part of it again. Everyone's tweets and facebook pasts made it a little less miserable.

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  11. Can't even begin to imagine all those miles on a trainer. 42 minutes ( a tv show) seems to be about it for me.
    Loved ALL your quotes here! Esp. the mistakes are too fun to not repeat one. Kind of like me swimming in a triathlon! Did you MIL think a bike was a good choice or was she appalled you didn't choose the wedding ring? I think it was a pretty easy thing to choose. I have said more than once my bike is my favorite THING. Whew. By saying thing I don't have to choose between my husband and my children and my bike!

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  12. This post cracked me up. The whole Super Century concept is hilarious. Based on your invitation, I briefly considered it, but seriously - 62 miles on the trainer, especially when there's snow on the ground - no way. You guys rock! I ran in the snow and indoor rock climbed with the daughters instead. I'm soft core compared to you all. Great job!

    JB

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  13. You really DO like to torture yourself!!

    100k indoors is a bit off your rocker :) The last photo of your face looks really content, though :))

    BTW Perfectly acceptable to drive to the quickie mart for the goodies. I do that with our one-horse-town espresso stop.

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  14. Nice job on the Super Century! Next year you'll have to try that chia drink mentioned in Born To Run (yes, I'm the last person in America to read it). Sorry I missed the work day, those are fun but with traveling every week, I've come to appreciate my alone time on the weekends. Where is the new trail in relation to the flying field?

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  15. Great video!
    I don't know how you can do all that work indoor. You are a hero.

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  16. You look pretty cute for someone who's hating life! I would die. This all sounds like way too much fun, in a really twisted sort of way. Congrats!

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  18. That video is hilarious and totally made me cringe! haha!

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