The day dawned beautifully. Sunny and potentially warm. I switched my long run and bike just so I could avoid biking in the rain on Saturday. (Luckily, I ran during the only hour and half that it didn't rain.) It was sunny as I ate my breakfast and I was getting more and more excited for my first outdoor ride of 2007. I got ready, clouds thickened, so I gathered some extra layers just in case. A line of storms was heading towards us, but I had enough time to get out and back b1fore it hit. The last thing Kris says to me as I leave is, "The storm is at the county line." Shit. That won't leave much time. I go anyway.
It was windy (as expected) the entire way out. At times, I was leaning diagonally into the wind to stay upright. If I didn't, I would've gotten in the way of vehicles. It was a constant battle as I weaved down the shoulder of county Highway T. At Highway N. I stop for a bite to eat and the bathroom. Now I'm biking directly into the wind, going slower than ever before. As I get to highway BB, the first drop hits. I'm know the furthest point on the loop, and must ride the entire way back in the rain.
In the rain, I thought little about my misery but rather focused on how hard it must've been to ride 112 miles in this crap. It was the exact same conditions: rain, wind and mid-50 temps. My respect for all those that did Ironman Wisconsin in 2006 grew as every rain drop pelted my face, and every grit of sand got in my teeth. I couldn't imagine going for a 2 mile run after my 21 mile ride, let alone 26.2 miles after a 112 mile ride.
Mad props to y'all.