I decided to share with you in more detail my adventure of the Bromont Ultra 2022. I believe it is a great lesson in humility but above all in perseverance.
So, race day, October 8, 2022, 8:00 AM, is the start of my 120km Ultra (3 loops of 40km), with 4500m of elevation gain on the menu. Based on my 80km time last year and my training times, I think I can finish before 10:00 PM (so 14 hours of cycling). I've estimated an average speed of 9-10km/h plus the time spent at aid stations.
I was really undecided a few minutes before the start: coat or no coat? I opted for no coat when I noticed that most people were only wearing long-sleeved shirts. That would be a big mistake. Jessee, who would be starting her BU55 a little later, cheered me on at the start; I was so glad to see her. The start was slow, and that's normal. It was cold... it was snowing!
At kilometer 20, my bike's gears were really bad. I called Patrice in a panic; he came to meet me at the aid station at kilometer 30. I realized a little later that my derailleur had come completely loose for some unknown reason, and the gears suddenly shifted much better. A quick fix for me!
I have loads of friends at the 30km aid station; Patrice is there, ready to fix my bike. I'm a bit cold and realize that the cold is draining my energy. Plus, my throat hurts, so Emile Chevreuil lends me his Buff. Regnaleb Cire gives me some Reese's, and Joel sets off with me on his bike. I have a support crew for the next few kilometers!
So I finish my first loop with Joel. We part ways since the room with my drop bag is reserved for runners. I take the opportunity to put on my coat. I go outside, but I can't find Joel anymore. He's looking for me too, but he can't see me. I leave feeling pretty disappointed to have lost my friend!
Fatigue sets in very quickly. It's brutal! I make it to the aid station at kilometer 18, where my parents, Suzanne, Yves, and Pierre, are waiting. I'm so happy. I tell everyone I'm already unusually tired but that I should be able to finish. In my mind, I have serious doubts; I really want to give up already. I've never abandoned a race before, it wasn't even a factor in this one, but I've barely completed half the course and it's all I can think about!
I struggled through the second half of this loop, thinking of Patrice who was waiting for me to complete the third loop. Special mention to my new running buddies Kim and Eric who helped me maintain some semblance of motivation (read: not to burst into tears).
I arrive at the equestrian center grounds (the central point of the event). Almost everyone around me is finishing their respective events and heading towards the finish line. I'm crying my eyes out. I catch the gaze of some spectators who seem to understand what's happening. I watch people pass under the finish arch, and I, with my head down, take the exit for the refreshment station for my third lap.
Patrice is there, I'm crying in his arms and I ask him if he'd be disappointed if I gave up. He tells me I can give up if I want, but he's convinced I can do it. So I take a lot of time at the aid station to change and eat. I realized several hours ago that my final time would be quite long. My goal is to finish; the minutes don't matter anymore.
So we set off on my final loop. My goal is to reach the first aid station, which is around kilometer 18. I'm feeling better, much better! We turn on our headlamps almost at the start of the course. I thought I'd be cycling for about 3 hours in the twilight, but it'll be more like 5...
We arrive at the first aid station, we're welcomed like celebrities and we feast on the food! To my great surprise, I now feel like I'll be able to complete my adventure. I set my sights on the second aid station.
I run into some runners from the 160km race, and we chat for a bit. I find them very inspiring. The second aid station arrives, and we take advantage of it again. It's official: I'm going to be able to finish the Bromont Ultra! There's only one big climb left, which I'm really dreading: the Rouche climb. I'm having a lot of trouble with my balance because of the fatigue, so I walk several sections to avoid "falling into the ditch," as they say! I also take the descent very slowly for the same reason. There are now about 6-7km of wide trails with a few climbs left. Every kilometer seems endless; I'm really looking forward to finishing.
That's it, I'm on the last few meters before the finish line, where I was crying my eyes out 5 hours ago. I'm still crying, but tears of joy this time. I'm crying because I'm truly proud of myself, of my perseverance.
I knew it was going to be very difficult, but I hadn't imagined the struggle with the pain and fatigue that I overcame.
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, whether in person or online. I couldn't name you all in my long post, but I'm thinking of each and every one of you!
I'm going to take a break from cycling for several days, so if you have a walker or wheelchair, I'd be very grateful!
