75 Miles = Sore Butt

on April 27, 2010
in All Posts

I am about to leave on my “long ride.”  That means I’ll be sitting on my bike for the next 5 hours or so.

 

Like this:

P4170021

Hopefully not like this:

P4170029 

(Pictures from Breakaway to Sugarloaf Mountain Metric Century)

 

Why, why, why am I about to put myself through 75 miles (alone) on a bike?  I am riding in a Century (100 miles) on May 23 in Napa Valley, California.  Thanks to your generous and amazing donations, I’ve raised $3,300 for the Livestrong Foundation.  I did the Disney Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and it’s nice to know that this endurance race will also benefit cancer research and treatment.

 

I need to think about this fact when I get bored, tired, and frustrated on the bike today! 

 

75 miles requires a big breakfast (and food on the bike):

IMG_4036

My oatmeal contained:

 

  • 3/4 cup oatmeal
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon flax
  • Coconut
  • Strawberries
  • Peanuts

IMG_4039

And… I’m off!

 

(Just re-read my tips for long workouts to pump myself up.  Let’s hope the Jedi mind tricks work!)

{ 84 comments }

 

  • Nicole April 27, 2010, 9:01 am

    Good luck on your ride today, you’ll feel so great when you can say I rode 75 miles today!

  • Becky April 27, 2010, 9:01 am

    Good luck! 75 miles is amazing! Hope you have a great ride.

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday April 27, 2010, 9:02 am

    Wow, great job fundraising!!!

  • Jo April 27, 2010, 9:05 am

    Good luck Caitlin, 75 miles sounds impossible to a non-cyclist like me!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 27, 2010, 9:09 am

    Wow, brave lady!! Good luck with it, I’ll be wishing you fun-filled thoughts so you don’t get bored!!

  • Julia @ British Bride April 27, 2010, 9:12 am

    Good luck- think of RPattz!

  • Kelly April 27, 2010, 9:13 am

    Man I am SERIOUSLY impressed…I did 22 miles on a bike alone last week and that was a struggle. I know you can do 75 though, I just don’t know if I could haha. Good luck!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) April 27, 2010, 9:14 am

    Good luck and have fun! Hope you packed a snack! 😉

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin April 27, 2010, 9:16 am

    GOOD LUCK!!! I am seriously so impressed by your fitness endeavors. You rock.

  • Katey April 27, 2010, 9:18 am

    Where do you ride your bike? There’s NOWHERE by me to ride.. other than on the river trails, but my parents won’t let me ride alone there.. Do you ride on the road, or does your town have special bike routes?

    • Caitlin April 27, 2010, 9:21 am

      i ride on deserted highways near the airport 🙂

      and i clearly havent left yet.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite April 27, 2010, 9:18 am

    Have a great ride today!!! Good thing biking shorts are padded 😉

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 27, 2010, 9:18 am

    Good luck!!! Rock it out!

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing April 27, 2010, 9:19 am

    Good luck and have fun!!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet April 27, 2010, 9:20 am

    Good luck!

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story April 27, 2010, 9:20 am

    Wow! 5 hours! Have a great ride! 🙂

  • Diana April 27, 2010, 9:20 am

    That’s crazy. I’d die! Good luck 🙂

  • jen trinque April 27, 2010, 9:21 am

    Good luck girl! That is a looonnng time on a bike, but I know you can do it.

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) April 27, 2010, 9:25 am

    Good luck on the 75 miles! Hope your butt hangs in there 😀

  • Kelly April 27, 2010, 9:28 am

    Ugh good luck on your bike ride, I hope your butt doesn’t get too sore.

  • Katie - Life Discombobulated April 27, 2010, 9:31 am

    Enjoy the looooonnnnggg ride! 🙂 I loved your motivation tips for long workouts – I’m using one of the suggested phrases to pump myself up for the half marathon I’m running this weekend! Thanks!

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope April 27, 2010, 9:33 am

    Caitlin, this is so awesome. I’m excited for you and cannot wait to hear how it goes on your long ride today. I only drive about 8 miles on my bike and my ass/crotch are killing me, haha even with the padded butt shorts.
    ps: do you recommend a computer for your bike…wireless, wired, etc? I was looking at them yesterday and didn’t particularly like the ones with wires for aesthetic purposes, but wonder if the wireless ones are less accurate?

    • Cyclist Kate April 27, 2010, 3:47 pm

      Hey Nicole–I’m not Caitlin, obviously, but I’ll chime in to say that wireless computers are great!!! My boyfriend runs a bike shop and that’s all he uses, so I trust his opinion. Also, you won’t see any pros using wired bike computers, and those guys tend to have top of the line EVERYTHING. I say go with the wireless!

      • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope April 27, 2010, 4:07 pm

        Thank you, Kate!! I really appreciate it.

      • Caitlin April 27, 2010, 4:32 pm

        I would say buy a Garmin 305 – you can use it for multi sports (it has a bike function) and then you can use it for running too!

        • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope April 28, 2010, 7:19 am

          I was thinking about it…want one, but also need shoes/clip in pedals for my bike, sooooo i will just be broke;)

        • Caitlin April 28, 2010, 9:16 am

          in the meantime, you can use google earth to track your distance in advance (for free!)

  • shannon (the daily balance) April 27, 2010, 9:34 am

    good luck, girl!!

    enjoy it!

  • Matt April 27, 2010, 9:36 am

    There is no way I could sit on a bike for 5 hours! I think I would fall asleep!

  • Jenna April 27, 2010, 9:38 am

    Good luck out there! Sing yourself some songs and just rock out, I do it all the time, haha.

  • Christina April 27, 2010, 9:43 am

    I love coconut oats! Good luck on the ride 🙂

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit April 27, 2010, 9:53 am

    Good luck! 75 miles is a lot to tackle!

  • Jenny April 27, 2010, 9:55 am

    Mmm what a great breakfast! Have a fun ride:)

  • Whitney @ Whitinspired April 27, 2010, 10:03 am

    Good luck on the ride…I’m sure it will be hard, but you can do it. And nothing worth accomplishing is easy!

  • Lauren April 27, 2010, 10:07 am

    You’ll do fine. I am not proud to admit this, but I rode in a century two days ago with no training this year and, while it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever one, I finished. You’ve been training so you’ll be fine!

    • Caitlin April 27, 2010, 4:33 pm

      i cant believe you did a century without training! you are epic.

      • Lauren April 27, 2010, 4:36 pm

        Ha! Well, thanks. It was my first century ever and I learned my lesson to train for my next one this summer…I definitely struggled! You’re going to be able to keep up with the “big boys” for sure.

  • Claire April 27, 2010, 10:07 am

    Can’t wait to read about your ride..I am sure it will be stellar (hmm…new word to me)! I hope your butt doesn’t get too sore!

  • Wei-Wei April 27, 2010, 10:17 am

    Wow! I can’t wait to read about your ride! You’ll do WONDERFULLY, I promise! I’m so excited for you! (see all the exclamation points?)

    You’re so strong and I KNOW you can ace this! 😀 Have fun! 🙂

    Wei-Wei

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 27, 2010, 10:30 am

    Good luck!! You are my HERO!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers April 27, 2010, 10:35 am

    Good luck and HAVE FUN on your ride!!!

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople April 27, 2010, 10:37 am

    I can’t wait to hear about how your ride went! It sounds incredibly hard and painful, but what an exhilirating feeling to have afterwards!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 27, 2010, 10:37 am

    you can do it! you’re gonna rock the race, and all you have to do is push through this workout 🙂 go get ’em!

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter April 27, 2010, 10:40 am

    Good luck! What an awesome job raising money! I hate hate hate asking for donations.

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels April 27, 2010, 10:49 am

    you’re also doing it just to say “I did it!”

  • Evan Thomas April 27, 2010, 10:53 am

    Here’s to hoping it all goes well!

  • Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly April 27, 2010, 11:05 am

    75 miles…wow even my butt hurts just thinking about it! 🙂

  • Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) April 27, 2010, 11:05 am

    Best of luck on the ride! Looks like you powered up with a hearty and energizing breakfast.

  • Melissa @ For the Love of Health April 27, 2010, 11:29 am

    Good luck!! Amazing!

  • Steph-exercise physiologist and artist! April 27, 2010, 11:31 am

    I have never rode a real road bike. I taught spinning for years but I imagine that the real thing is much different.
    I have never done anything (run bike swim) for a super long distance. when others do it I am always amazed and inspired!
    You are an awesome athlete you know that? 🙂

    Hope you and everyone else on here has a great day!!!

  • Marissa April 27, 2010, 11:38 am

    I hope your ride goes good!!!

  • Lisa April 27, 2010, 11:38 am

    Any tips on the sore bum? I am preparing myself for the misery on May 15th. 🙂

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman April 27, 2010, 11:53 am

    Wow, I can’t even fathom 75 miles. You may as well have said you’re traveling to the moon today on your rocket bike. Just a question though: Did you put a padded seat on your bike, or do you use padded bike shorts? How do you prevent a bruised and sore bottom?

    • Caitlin April 27, 2010, 6:29 pm

      padded shorts! everyone needs them! and if the seat truly hurts your butt, you prob need another saddle.

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 27, 2010, 12:00 pm

    GL on your bikeride! I don’t know how you do it!

  • Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary April 27, 2010, 12:01 pm

    Holy hell ! That’s SO FAR! I feel like I’m riding for a life time when I go around 20-30 !! Good luck today 🙂

  • skinnyrunner April 27, 2010, 12:03 pm

    good luck and hopefully you have padded butt shorts!

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] April 27, 2010, 12:04 pm

    I wish you had someone to ride with – 75 miles is longgg. I hope it’s fun nonetheless!

  • Abby April 27, 2010, 12:20 pm

    I haven’t gone on a bike ride over 15 miles yet, but I do know that reallly hurt my poor butt bones! I can’t imagine 75 miles! Hope your butt fares better than mine!

  • Melissa April 27, 2010, 12:27 pm

    Great job on the fundraising! Hope all goes well on the bike today:)

  • Nicole, RD April 27, 2010, 12:29 pm

    Good luck, Caitlin! I have no doubt you’ll kick that bike ride in the butt!

  • Camille April 27, 2010, 12:33 pm

    Woah! Go you! 75 miles is a lot!
    Have a great time!

  • Susan April 27, 2010, 12:49 pm

    Ohwow. The longest I’ve done alone was 3 hours on a road bike. And well, it was long. You’ll get through it though!! Be sure to take a few breaks, stretch, and have some nutrition. Your butt may hurt today, but you’ll be happy you did it come race day 🙂

    Ohyeah, and there’s (hopefully) some cold beer for you in the fridge when you get back! Good luck!

  • Run Sarah April 27, 2010, 1:32 pm

    Good luck – you will rock the ride!

  • runnerforever April 27, 2010, 1:49 pm

    Good luck! This post reminds me of when I would go horseback riding for hours and my butt got sooo sore hehe.

  • Amanda April 27, 2010, 1:50 pm

    “These are not the droids you are looking for..”

    Wow! 75 miles is pretty darn far! Good for you! Have a beer!

  • Hedda April 27, 2010, 1:57 pm

    Way to go Caitlin, you are so right. When it seems tough, try focus on the greatness of what you do.
    Be proud of yourself!

  • John April 27, 2010, 2:14 pm

    Hope the wind there is a lot calmer than it is here. So windy I bailed on my ride today.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 27, 2010, 2:18 pm

    The sore butt is worth it when you think of all the people that your fundraising helps. You can do it!

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething April 27, 2010, 2:21 pm

    good luck! you will feel so good when you are done 🙂
    i did a fabulous fifty on saturday-it was wonderful 🙂

  • Kellie@obsessivelyhealthy April 27, 2010, 2:25 pm

    Have a great ride and just think about the sense of accomplishment you will have when you finish.

  • Joanne April 27, 2010, 2:33 pm

    Hope the ride went well. The Century will be more fun than work when it finally gets here due to all the hard prep work you’re putting in.

    I really LOVED the post about pumping up for a long workout. So helpful.

  • Kait April 27, 2010, 2:59 pm

    Good Luck!! That was definitely an awesome breakfast to get you going, it looks delicious!

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope April 27, 2010, 3:13 pm

    Caitlin, I made your tempeh sloppy joes this afternoon. pics here: http://www.raspberrystethoscope.com/2010/04/trying-tri.html

  • kate April 27, 2010, 3:28 pm

    You sound invest in a tiny tv then you can watch Hulu as you bike for half the day 🙂

  • Jenny April 27, 2010, 3:46 pm

    Hey! Did you survive?
    My butt would be so sore from such a long bike ride!
    Hope it went well!

  • Ellen April 27, 2010, 3:51 pm

    Wow, you are so inspirational. And your oatmeal looks so so yummy! Did you sing any fun songs to yourself during the ride? 🙂

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Jenn (www.j3nn.net) April 27, 2010, 4:05 pm

    Wow, 75 miles!! That’s amazing. Good luck!! 😀

    Jenn

  • Amanda (Amanda "runs") April 27, 2010, 4:20 pm

    Good luck! 75 (itty bitty) miles! (not really) Yummy oatmeal! You look so FIERCE on that bike! Did you sing songs as you biked??

    How’s it feel to be 26?

  • Leslie April 27, 2010, 6:04 pm

    Good luck on May 23rd!

  • Bill April 27, 2010, 11:41 pm

    I would say buy a Garmin 305 – you can use it for multi sports (it has a bike function) and then you can use it for running too!

  • Tony April 28, 2010, 4:00 am

    Good luck on May 23rd!

  • Becca April 28, 2010, 8:45 am

    I really like your jersey. Do you remember where you bought it?

    • Caitlin April 28, 2010, 9:10 am

      a local bike shop 🙂 i think its TYR brand

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