Chasing The Sun

Since I have been training for the Etape, I have felt very good during my Saturday long rides. Each week my fitness has progressed in a way that is keeping me on track to finish the Etape in July. At the end of my long rides, I have felt like I could have continued for a while longer......until yesterday.
Sometimes you just aren't motivated, no matter how you try to psych yourself up for the ride, sometimes you just don't feel like training. After procrastinating for the better part of Saturday morning, I finally suited up and got my bike ready. It had been raining all morning so I put on my rain jacket and neoprene booties for the ride. I was due for a 60 mile ride, and was dreading every pedal stroke. I set out around 1pm and immediately felt a case of "dead legs" coming on. I wasn't pushing any big gears and my legs felt VERY tired. I hadn't even pre-determined the route I was going to ride, because the rain was consuming my preparation. Looking at the horizon I noticed a clear patch of sky off in the distance, maybe I could ride towards the clearing and find some dry weather. About 20 miles in, my legs weren't feeling anymore lively than during that first mile, but I was determined to push through and get these miles in my legs. The rain kept coming down and it seemed that I never got any closer to the sun. Almost 2 hours into the ride I finally caught the sun, it felt so good to dry off and shed my rain jacket. I continued to feel very tired and was starting to get stomach cramps.
I tried to eat, but the cramps intensified, so I just drank fluids. Finally 3 1/2 hours after I started, I coasted back home finishing all 60 miles. I guess the lesson learned was that you always wont feel great, but as long as you stay focused on your goals you will eventually catch the sun! Let's hope today is a little different!
Kyle