Some People Don't Know How To Quit by Angela Tortorice (200k, 26 Oct 02)
There are people in this world that will never give up on you, even when you want to give up on yourself.
I had the most awesome experience on Saturday, October 26th 2002. The story begins like this. I had set out to attempt my 2nd 200K. Last time I was not successful. Having 26 marathons, several half ironman's and a half dozen centuries under my belt I thought what the heck.
I drove to Mineral Wells the night before and talked to a few of the experienced Randonneurs, Hopped in the bed and just went to sleep. Little did I know what really was ahead of me.
Next morning we headed out. It was drizzly and a tad chilly. I pretended not to notice and just kept asking Jim Colby questions. What should I wear, how do I work this camelback, what lenses should I have in my glasses, do I need booties, are we all crazy? After he patiently answered all my questions and we admired the man that was wearing a shower cap to protect his head from the rain I asked if I should bring my rubbers. After that we were off for my 2nd attempt of the 200k.
This time within 3 miles, I could not see a single soul. I thought okay, these guys will be setting the world record, Why am I here. I stopped at Palo Pinto to relieve myself at a breakfast joint, since there were no blue buildings to be found. It was here that I thought I could just turn around. I had gone almost 10 miles. I could get a good 20 miles in. Then I realized I put my keys in the sag van. I am stuck, now what? I headed out and thought, if I stop every 10 miles, I only have to do this 12.5 times. It was then that good luck struck. Out of nowhere came my knight in shining armor, Bill Fox. He said he left his house at 6:00a even though he woke up at 4:00a. After eating breakfast, he fell back asleep watching the Weather Channel. He arrived at the start just in time to see the group off. Having missed the start, he decided to just take his time getting prepared and left probably 30 minutes late. He pulled beside me and as I tell him I am not going to ride he says yes you are, I am here to make sure you finish. You know the thoughts in you mind at that point. Yes-I want to finish, no I do not want company, yes I do want company, what am I doing here anyway. I shut my mouth and listened. He explained how to shift gears down and up and before the first major hill. As we approached one of the big hills, I asked if I should go down further. He laughed and said I should never ask a man that question.
He was so pleasant to listen to. He talked to me about his brevets. The long ones, the short
ones, the one's that were easy and the one's that he thought he would not
finish. It was helping, but I was
still negative. At this point we
passed Dan, Donnie and George. I
then felt a reprieve. I knew these
guys were good, but also knew that Dan rode 250 miles the weekend before. Of
course, the reason they were there was extremely bad luck with flat tires.
I am not even sure how many at that point.
Anyway, they caught up and as I explained to Bill I would get a ride back
from Control #1 he called to Dan, “Hey silver tongue devil, did you hear
that?” Dan pulled back and
explained why I could not quit. He told me if I gave up twice, I would not come
back. I remember thinking I
have no reason to quit today besides laziness.
That is what did it.
These (3) men changed my mental state. They were positive
and just believed in me. Dan said
something that stuck. I knew he was right. I still was struggling with the
mental and they knew it. They took
turns with me. George hung back for a while, quite awhile. He listened and
looked me in the eye. He was so considerate.
Bill explained the lay of the land or should I say hills, to me.
He reminded me I had extra gears. Dan said you have done marathons, break
it up the way you do there. Look at it as just making it to the next control
point. They continually asked about
my intake, food, liquids, etc. They laughed and shared stories.
I have never meet people like this.
They sang songs about "We will have no DNF's".
I think part of this was to keep them occupied too. I was slow, so slow it should not be allowed and they hung
with me.
Upon arrival to the 4th and final control point,
before the finish, Dan said get on your bike and get out of here.
They knew that we could be riding in after dark now.
I took off. I had this tag
in my jersey that had been bothering me for 20 miles before, but I just left
because of the good advice. Do no
hang in the control points. It can cost you.
I would not have made it without the positive support,
mentally and physically, the encouragement and true belief.
At this point Bill had decided he would stick with me and ride it in. He would not have left me out there even if I would have begged. The only problem was Bill was having problems with his tube when we left the 4th control point. . I left because they said go. Bill caught me and then George and Dan passed by. I think Dan knew what my attitude then would be and it would be to finish. I was 3/4 done. Let me tell you the last 1/4 was harder than the last 1/4 of any marathon I have ever done.
Bill stayed right there with me. He talked when needed, but mainly knew I was sinking. I would not speak for maybe 20 miles. I had to stop and fix the tag. Nothing has gotten on my nerves so bad. I had reached back maybe 50 times in the last 50 miles now. I thought I was going to take off the jacket, shirt, and jersey and ride in the jog bra only if it continued. He let me stop and explained it is the little things that somehow make a person not finish. We were 21 miles from Mineral Wells and 9 from Palo Pinto. Believe me, I never remember names of towns when riding, but somehow did this day. I asked if we could stop at the convenience store in Palo Pinto. Bill was having problems with the tube; each time we stopped he had to air it up. When we rode he did not. He still was patient and said yes. Gay had been there for us during the whole ride and there she was once again in Palo Pinto. She had supported, given encouragement and said you are going to make it. I do not know people so giving as Gay, Diane, Dan, George, Jim and Bill. They let me stop, get some pounds off, relieve myself (again) and Bill offered a bandana to put on my neck were the tag was rubbing. Now I took off again. I was still slow, but Bill thinks I hit the next hill at 11mph. He said, " I could barely catch you”. I laughed and knew that he was just trying to help my mental state.
We had 2 or 3 more hills before getting to Mineral Wells. Once we got to the top of the Brazos River, before crossing it he had to air up again. He explained for the final time what the hill would be like and the recovery after. He told me after that it was downhill, slightly all the way to the motel. I took it knowing it was it. I looked back and he was still pumping. I whistled as soon as I reached the top knowing that was it. I was whistling the whole way and when I saw that hotel sign I was waving and whistling. I kept looking back and Bill was not there, but I know he would have said go for it, so I did. I hated that I could not ride hand in hand with him, but the moment was still great. When I arrived, George hugged me, Dan hugged me, and Gay hugged me and I was smiling. Gay told me that she knew I was fine when she saw that. As Bill pulled in I wanted to cry. He just pulled over and gave me a big hug. I have never meet people that just would not give up on me.
As I sit here now, just realizing I have an extra hour today, due to daylight savings…. I really think that that the world could not be a nicer place to be. Thank-you, Lone Star Randonneurs for getting me through my longest event yet!!!!!