I thought I was going to die!

I got up early this morning--before 6am--so I could go riding with a group of gals from my neighborhood. I'm just getting into the biking scene. I got a new mountain bike for Mother's Day last month and I'm slowly getting in some short rides. The gals I went with have been riding for a while and they were all on road bikes and clipped in. They are also all 10-15 years younger than me and in much better shape. I thought I was going to die!

It actually wasn't a bad ride--about 10.25 miles out to the Cotton Bottom and back. Just some small hills, some really nice downhill sections. Really, a pretty good ride. The gals I was with were really nice--they'd get out ahead of me and then wait for me to catch up and off we'd go again. The only down side to that scenario is that they kept getting these great little breaks and I had to keep riding, riding, riding to keep up. I thought I was going to die!

I realized at about 4.5 miles out that I had taken off without any water. I really needed water at that point. I'm panting and my mouth is dry and I really, really want some water. I've fallen far enough back that I can't quite see the gals I'm riding with. If I'd had my phone on me, I would have called for a pick-up from my hubby. I really thought I was going to die!

I finally catch up to the other gals and we have a little break. They were nice enough to share some water so I could get my mouth wet. Then we head back. This part is the really nice downhill section. I'm in the front and I'm pushing hard because there's a steep little hill coming up. I hit the hill and the other gals cruise right on past and I'm frantically downshifting. I thought I was going to die!

Then we're in the mostly uphill section. We're probably pedaling through mile 7 at this point. I can no longer feel my rear end. It's numb. My arms are starting to hurt because I'm leaning on the handlebars so hard. Again, I can't see the gals in front of me. This is when I had the bright realization that I'm riding with gals who are way younger than me--the youngest is around 16 years younger than me! What the heck was I thinking?? I'm pedaling ever so slowly and really wishing I had that phone so I could get picked up. I thought I was going to die!

So, we're playing the catch up game. They ride for a while and wait for me to catch up. We pedal ever closer to home. Finally, we reach Lincoln Lane. I know this section and I"ve ridden it several times because this is the way I come home from work. I took off and pedaled like crazy and was out in front all the way down Lincoln and over to Suada Drive. I really love riding down Suada drive. It's a great downhill and all the way home. I'm feeling really great! This is fun!

We pull in and Melissa says it's 10.25 miles. I'm quite proud of myself. I made it through and I didn't die! I pull into my driveway and get off the bike. My legs feel like lead! By the time I reach the door, I can barely move! I hobble down the hallway and into the kitchen for food and drink. I can hardly feel the lower half of my body--it's gone numb! My hands hurt, my arms hurt, my shoulders hurt. My legs don't hurt because I can't feel them. I thought I was going to die!

I can hardly wait to do it all again on Tuesday!!