So I have done the BLT with Tri Fusion about 7 times now. I would like to start by saying that the first time I did the 16 mile loop, I cried about 3 times. Jen was so good at encouraging me to keep going and calming me down. She always looks on the bright side of EVERYTHING! This is one of the many things I love about this girl :) Doesn't she just look so happy!?!
I would like to say that I have come a LONG way over the weeks, and now I really enjoy the loop...except for that pesky DEATH HILL. Here is my death hill progression over the first 6 weeks:
Weeks 1 &2 - Stopping at the bottom, not even attempting the hill, and walking my bike to the top. (This KILLS my calfs by the way because of the angle of my bike shoes...think walking up-hill in reverse heels.)
Weeks 3 & 4 - Riding about 1/4 of the way up, then stopping and walking my bike to the top. (Calfs still in major pain!)
Weeks 5 & 6 - Riding 1/2 way up, then stopping, taking off my shoes, and walking my bike to the top in my socks. (Calfs doing better!)
I think it is pretty safe to say that I HATE that death hill! So yesterday when Tiffany told me that it was my day to make it to the top (because Jessi and Tiff had talked it over and decided for me!), I looked at her and said, "Ya right!" It was pouring rain, I had had a long day, and it just wasn't going to happen. So Christina and I headed off on our ride, fully intending to walk up that pesky death hill. Here we are pre-ride :)
As I started riding, all I could think about was the stupid hill! It was totally mocking me and I felt like I should put it in its place today! However, my legs were so tired and I just wasn't feeling it! Oh, what to do! Now Christina and I have been friends for years and one of the things I love about her is that she always tells me what I want to hear. Here is how part of our conversation on the bike went:
Me: "Christina, I totally think I am going to try to make it up the death hill today!"
C: "You can totally do it Trish! You are so awesome!"
5 minutes later...
Me: "Christina, there is NO way I can make it up the hill! My legs are freaking KILLING me!"
C: "That hill is ridiculous! We can turn around before we even get there!"
5 minutes later...
Me: "But Tiff said that today was my day, so I am going to go for it!"
C: "You got it Trish! Piece of cake!"
We went back and forth like this the entire ride until we hit the bottom of the hill. At that moment, I felt like I had 4 options:
1. Turn around now! (Out of the question for Trish 2008!)
2. Walk up the hill and save my legs for the rest of the ride. (Tiff and Jessi would NEVER let me get away with this one!)
3. Ride up as far as possible, take off my shoes, and walk the rest of the way in my socks (but that meant my socks would be soaking wet, so that was out).
4. Go for it!
So, I went for it. I don't know what got into me. Maybe it was the rain...maybe it was the green apple gel I took before the ride...maybe it was my new Coach sunglasses that I wore by mistake...maybe it was Tiff's voice in my head telling me I would never regret it...who knows! I do know that Christina was adorable and cheered her heart out for me at the top of her lungs as she walked her bike up the hill! Now that is friendship! I thought I might die as I neared the top, but I freaking made it! Look how happy I was! This is our victory cheer! (Note that I am breaking out the old school "Yessssss!)
I want to give a shout out to Jay, who rode right next to me and made it to the top for the first time too! Man, what a great day! In your face death hill! Now does this mean that I have to make it to the top EVERY time I ride???
10 comments:
Ha ha ha ha!! This is by far your best post to date! I'm still cracking up! First of all, I love that you said the hill was totally mocking you and you needed to put it in it's place.
The part I loved the most was the conversation between you and Christina. I was dying! I had to read it out loud to Eric. Christina is so freaking cute and I could just hear her telling you what you wanted to hear the whole time! Hysterical!
Now on to the very best part - YOU MADE IT UP THAT F-ING HILL!!!! It wasn't the green apple gel or my voice in your head that got you up that thing. It was just you and the new confidence and strength that you have worked SO hard to gain all year. You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for and I'm so proud of you I can barely stand it! Way to go woman! You told that hill!
And yes, you MUST ride up it every week now. No excuses, play like a champion, baby! :)
That is by far one of the best post I have read about training! And I'm with you girl... I hate that death hill too!!! And Glory to the both of us...I made it up that damn hill too... But you're encounter is sooooooooo much more exciting and rewarding then mine... so cheers to you! That is a GREAT achievement, most definitley.... and I do agree with Tiffany... there are no excuses of not riding up the hill, you've done, you can do it again!!!!
Next time we should conquer the death hill together and grunt the pain out as loud as we can.... maybe we can make some "echo" or something... :)
Way to conquer and may I say there will be many more to come... and I can't wait to read about them! Loves Girl...see you soon!(maybe at the top of the hill...) Ali
You are the best writer ever!! I'm still laughing just thinking about your old school "yyyyeeeeesssss!!!!! I'm so proud of you!!!!
Love you!!
I am pretty sure it was your sheer determination to not get your socks wet. You probably would have ruined them and then had to ride back with dirty wet socks:) Just kidding, you did an awesome job conquering that hill and like they said there is no turning back. You now need to make it up each time and believe me it gets easier. Keep up the hard work and there's no saying with Trish 2009 is going to do.
I'm not sure what Tripi 2007 was like, but I can definitely say that Tripi 2008 is accomplishing some amazing things! Congrats on making up Death Hill...now, instead of it mocking you, you can spit on it as you dance on up it.
Somehow, I don't think you'll ever regret going for it :) ha ha ha
And, yes, as a veteran of Death Hill 1, I can confirm that once you've ridden up it w/out stopping, there is no turning back. You will now ride the whole thing EVERY time. And even if it mocks you every now and then, know you now have the confidence to overcome the mocking and kick its ass!!
Next time, you should try screaming your head off all the way up the hill. That would be cool. :)
Timmers
Trish,
I loved getting off my bike and hearing a message from you about how you had made it to the top. Tiff and I did talk about it at lunch and decided that it was your day... no regrets, right?!?!? ;)
I'm proud of you for always being up for a new challenge. Your growth this year is astounding, and I'm not just talking about your growth as an athlete. Your new confidence is gorgeous on you!
I'm beyond proud of you and was dying laughing through your whole post. Love the dialogue with Christina. She's a great friend!!!
Go Trish!!!! XOXO
Trish You were awesome making it up that hill! From my perspective it didn't look like you were anywhere near quiting! It was awesome sharing that moment of success with you! I think Trish 08, as awesome as she is, is going to get her butt kicked by Trish 09! You are getting stronger and faster! Michelle and I were also noticing how great your looking! Keep up the hard work, its definately paying off for you!!
Trish 08 ROCKS!!!
Jay and Michelle
Death Hill...so was there a "Secret Goal" miss? I love the mental game of just going with it right up until the time to...kick some bootie!
Oh, I so know the feeling of getting started with biking those hills. I have walked up one recently myself, and I will get it next time!
Thanks for the inspiration sista!
That's exactly what that means!!! Because you CAN do it and will not back down, ever again. What a little athlete you've become (even in your coach sunglasses-that's bitchen).
I seriously hope you will come stay with me at Lake Stevens....we will have too much fun and maybe I'll talk you into a half ironman :)
Great job! I know that death hill and it's a KILLER!
word-
P.
I love how Jessi said "your new confidence is gorgeous on you"! What a sweet thing to think about! You totally rock in the confidence arena, lady! And I love reading your Blog because you help me realize that kicking my own tail isn't worth it if I'm not having fun...and Trish always seems to be having fun so I wanna have fun! Blue Lake here we come!!
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