Heart Sugery and Thin Air

What an adventure Scott and I had this past week. With the car packed and our coffee mugs full we took off headed east for Evergreen, CO. The first day we packed in 12 hours of driving time, arriving in Fruta, CO where we ate the BEST pizza at the Hot Tomato Cafe! Camped at the Colorado Monument (we picked an edge spot) and ate our pizza with a setting sun and a fantastic view.
The next day was was more driving to our destination Evergreen and Wendy and Al's house. After lots of hugs and a bit of a chat I realized I couldn't breathe very well... 7,700 feet of elevation will do that, yikes! Scott, Al and I went for a ride which helped the lungs, but made me a bit nervous for the next day's adventure, the Triple Bypass: 120 miles form Evergreen to Avon. Three big passes- Juniper Pass, 11, 140 feet ; Loveland Pass, 11, 900 feet; and Vail Pass, 10, 560 feet. Can everyone say thin air?! With fear in my brain, a strange ache in my lungs, and a great pre ride meal in my belly I went to bed nervous for the next day.
There's not much you can do once the day has started. Once the oatmeal is in your belly and the air is in your tires there is nowhere to go but on the ride. Scott and I started right before 6 am leaving from the front door and arriving at the start 2 miles later. Our warm up was the first 5 miles of climbing as we started up Juniper pass! Who does that?! It was a great way to start though, a long steady climb where the air gets thinner slowly, my lungs liked that! After a pic at the top we headed down. I had put my arm warmers and leg warmers back on, but had to stop mid descent to put my jacket on it was so cold! That's right, I was just going that fast. Still feeling good through Idaho Springs; Al was there with food and smiles which always helps! Georgetown to the Loveland Basin we were still feeling good, but I was starting to get nervous for what lay ahead. Loveland Pass was the tallest and the shortest climb with the most elevation gain. My nerves started taking over when we got on I-70 and started riding next to cars, trucks and best of all motor homes. I'm already freaked out about this crazy steep, no oxygen climb, why are you making me ride on the highway!? Turns out the climb wasn't bad at all. Don't get me wrong it was bad, but I didn't have to walk my bike and I could still breathe! Al was there again as the caterer and photographer, SO COOL! Our next descent was awesome, but the problem was that the race was only 1/2 over. I have been so worried about Loveland that I forgot that we still had 60 miles to ride... oh Lauren. The next chunk of riding from Frisco to Copper was Hell. I was tired, my lungs were yelling at me, Scott was still singing, and I just wanted to take a nap :( We were on this bike path, which on any there day would have been great, but 70 miles into this ride, I was not a fan. The climb to Vail Pass was no better. Bike path switch backs are no fun when you're tired and grumpy. I've never been so happy to see the top of a climb, we had done it, no more climbing! Al was there again (what a rad guy) this time with lots of food and cold drinks. The BEST cantaloupe ever, dinner leftovers, corn nuts and a cocktail of vitamin water and Acclerade! We started riding again and I felt great. Amazing what food can do... From the Vail descent to Avon it was mostly down hill and Scott and I flew home! A combination of food and thoughts of being done drove us to the finish feeling good! DONE! 11 hours 30 minutes after we started that morning we got off for the last time and collapsed with great food and beer. Everyone sat in the river for a leg soak and off again to go home! What a day. Scott and I stayed together the whole day, I don't think I could have finished if it was not for him! (lucky for me he loves me!)
After a LONG night of sleep it was back in the car for Scott and Lauren on Sunday morning. Two days of driving home and we made it in one piece late afternoon on Monday. It was an adventure in it's purest form. There was sweat, pain, joy and tears. We had a blast together and made some great memories, but most of all I know I learned more about myself and my limits, hopefully Scott did too!