Illinois Farm Report (MS150)

Member

Or more accurately, the MS110. I'm sorry this is so long, but then, so was my weekend:

When I registered for this last December the most I'd ever ridden at one time was 25 miles. I wasn't sure I could do it, but after consulting with Cheryl and Steve I decided to go ahead and try. A good friend of ours was recently diagnosed with MS and I wanted to do this to honor him and his wife (a breast cancer survivor).

So I rode the trainer all winter, and as soon as the snow melted I was out riding whenever possible. Things were going well until I attempted a 50 mile ride. I started experiencing extreme pain in my knees, particularly my left one. A couple of weeks later, the same thing happened on another 50 mile ride; the pain was so bad that I was on the side of the bike trail sobbing. On the advice of other Riff Raffers I got clipless pedals, and sought out a massage therapist to work on the knots in my quads that were possibly causing the pain. The therapist was great; she gave me some exercises to stretch the muscles in my quads to keep them from knotting up (at least that's what I think this was - anatomy is not my thing).

A couple of weeks ago I had a great 40 mile ride - no pain. So I thought I was ready.

I started out feeling great. I was actually enjoying being on the bike for the first time in a long while. The rest stops were approximately every ten miles; I got to the first rest stop, had an orange slice and a glass of Power Ade, stretched, then took off. By the time I got to the second stop I was starting to feel some knee pain. Steve was at the second stop; he told me to try to slow down (I was at about a 13mph pace - fast for me). I took off again.

By the third stop I knew I was in trouble. The third stop was in Sandwich, IL, where we had sandwiches. We also had to go about 1/2 mile off the course to get to the rest stop - riding downtown through traffic. I stopped for lunch, chatted with a guy I know from church who was riding for his company team, stretched, massaged, then took off.

I kept going, making sure to stop at all the rest stops to refuel, stretch and massage. The pain was pretty continuous, but I didn't want to stop. By about 50 miles the pain was intense. At one point I had this incredibly sharp pain that made me glad there were no other riders around to hear my scream. I stopped by the side of the road and just cried for about 5 minutes. At this point the hills were more of a factor, as were the incredibly poorly maintained roads. Every bump on the road sent another shock of pain to my knees.

I finally made it to the main highway into Dekalb. From there it wasn't too bad, except for having to watch for traffic. I'm not too used to the clipless pedals yet, so having to stop and start alot is still difficult.

I finally got to the campus of Northern Illinois University and the finish line. Steve was there to meet me; I grabbed some Powerade and pretzels, then we headed for the motel for the evening. I was asleep by 6:00.

The next morning my knees were still hurting, but I was still planning on attempting the full 75 mile ride (which was the previous day's course in reverse). When we got to the start, they made the announcement that because there was a 60% chance of thunderstorms they were recommending that everyone take the 35 mile route instead. I asked Steve what I should do, and he said that I should do the 35 mile route. So I did.

The hills seemed even worse on this route than they did on the 75 mile route. My knees still hurt, but I managed to make it to the finish line without too much trouble. Steve was out running when I finished, so I loaded the bike up in the car and waited for him, having a good cry the entire time.

I really wanted to do the full 150 miles - I'm still disappointed and mad at myself for not doing it. Mad

The ride itself was beautiful - Saturday was clear and 75 degrees. The corn will definitely be knee high by the Fourth of July - and may even be as high as an elephant's eye. Riding through the country made me really homesick - I just wish I could have enjoyed it more.

I apologize for the length, I just have way too much to say. Embarassed

Hipster Doofus

I said it before and I'll say it again. You could have not bothered to go Sunday, and given your problems, it would have been justifiable. But you went out and went at it. Even though it was not the full 75 (which we both agreed you prolly could not have done), going out there showed a lot of character. I am very proud of you for what you accomplished, both in the monies you raised, and the ride you did.

Pyromaniac

A good ride for a good cause LC!

PRESIDENT

Gosh, so sorry to hear of the reoccuring pain. Sad

I feel your disappointment. However, going as far as you did feeling like you were shows some tremendous effort LC. I am very proud of you. Get to the bottom of the pain issue and next summer you will go the entire distance, I'm sure of it. Excellent job! thumbs up

Member

Congrats

Member

Member

Good job!!! That's a LONG Way to go with pain like that in your knees!! I hope you can get that resolved.

Also, way to go for venturing back out there on Sunday, when you were already hurting!!!!

Member

A fantastic job, 150 or no.

Find a fix for the knee problem, and you're going to be unstoppable.
Clearly, you already have the mental toughness. thumbs up

The Pinball

Illinois Farm Report (MS150)

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