So this weekend was mini-milestone time…at the start of 12WBT I set myself some goals…including my mini-milestone event. I chose to ride from my home town, through the Grampians to the next town which would be mostly uphill in preparation for our honeymoon to NZ in December. This would be 65-70km which I know I can do the distance, but it was the hills that were a lot more than I’d done before. It was going to be a big challenge for me.
The weekend came around and the weather towards the end of the week was terrible, I’d been checking the forecast during the week and it wasn’t looking good. I wanted to go no matter what but knew that I had to keep safe and if the wind and rain were too bad I’d have to think of another mini-milestone or alternative but I really wanted to achieve this goal.
Sunday morning I woke up and it was fine enough to go, yes it was cold, I couldn’t see the mountains out the window in the morning, it was misty rain but not too windy that would hold me back.
Off I went, with layers and layers of clothing! 5km down the road and at the top of the first hill, I had to stop…I was soooooo hot that I had to strip the layers off. Originally I was going to get picked up at Halls Gap by my mum but she ended up having to work so I decided I’d do an out and back course instead. I wouldn’t be able to go all the way to Halls Gap (which was the original goal) but I’d still be able to get the same distance in. My aim was to go out 35km and turn around, but as I went I was more determined and thought I’d go to 40k, when I got there I thought oh another 10km and I’d get to 50km which would end up being 100k round trip!! That is so great I thought, and a REAL mini-milestone. These are the thoughts I had during the ride, and yes I made it to 50k then had a drink and banana.
On the way back it was not as much downhill as I thought it would have been, but overall I was really happy that I was going to make it to 100km. The weather was miserable, but I kept thinking of other 12WBT that had gone out in worse weather or conditions than I had. I had many positives moments, I was just overwhelmed with the views, with being in nature and being strong enough on the bike to be riding 100k in those conditions.
I got home 4.5hours later and I was so very happy, absolutely exhausted but I was happy that I’d achieved that. I had done 30km more than I’d originally planned, in not great conditions. My toes were numb, I was cold but I felt amazing. I had a little stretch, long shower then some lunch. After lunch and a quick visit to my nana to tell her I was home (she was worried about me of course!) I then had a little half hour nap on the couch. It was great!
So overall it was a great weekend, my HR monitor didn’t work the whole way but I estimate I burnt 3000cals. When I rode a bit under 4hours in Melb I burnt 2082cals, and that was on a flat road. Ok so I’ve probably over-estimated but I thought that with the hills and extra effort put in, as well as the farm work on the Saturday and heaps of walking etc chasing the cows that over the weekend I feel very confident that I would have burnt at least 3000cals.
That’s not what is important, the main thing is that I achieved my mini-milestone and I’m so happy! Not only did I do that, but on Friday last week I managed 45min running without any breaks, then this morning (Monday) I backed up with another 45min. I’ve had no hip pain and feel like finally I’m getting on top of this injury!! Feeling great!!
OH…one last thing, I also had my wedding dress fitting on the weekend, we have to take it in!! That was exciting J I was aiming for that to happen and I was absolutely wrapped with how I looked and felt in it, I can’t wait for the next 6 weeks feeling amazing and the wedding day in less than 7 weeks now YAY!!! It’s going to be the best day and I can’t wait.
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