More than a runner...that is who I am these days. Running will always be my first love, but it has definitely taken a back seat to my biking this summer. I completed my goal of biking up Pike’s Peak (14,115 ft) with two of my favorite people, Dionne Randolph and Caryn Maconi, and some other awesome people from USA Triathlon. It was the most epic ride I have ever done. The entire ride was 36.81 miles total, with 18.5 miles up and 6295ft of climbing. We essentially broke up the ride into 4 sections. The first 5 miles was tough only because we started climbing without much of a warmup. We stopped at Crystal Creek for some hydration and to fuel up. The second part of the climb was from Crystal Creek to Glen Cove. This was the hardest part of the ride for me because my lower back started to hurt around mile 8. For two miles I was struggling mentally and physically. When I finally made it to Glen Cove, I was so excited to take my pack off, head to the bathroom, and eat more food. I was happy to have made it this far and to be the second one in our group to get to Glen Cove. The third section was the most grueling according to many who have done this ride. It is a series of switchbacks to get to Devils playground. I was actually surprised that this was my favorite part of the entire ride. I must have gotten some energy from the Gu I ate and my other bars. I wasn’t too far behind Vik and when I made it to Devils playground, we stopped for a few minutes to let the rest of the crew catch up. Then it was the last climb to the top. Vik and I rode the last section together and it was then that I saw Mike and Emma. I was so surprised as they didn’t let most vehicles past Devils playground. Mike had told them that he had to pick someone up at the top because they couldn’t make it down, which ended up being true. I made it to the top in around 3:11. I am so grateful to this awesome group who encouraged each other the entire way and to Mike and Emma for coming up to support me. I am incredibly blessed with good friends and family!
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