Conquering the Mountain

Since moving to San Diego, I’ve heard about the illustrious Palomar Mountain. I wanted to see what the mountain was all about. So, last December I took a drive up it. The drive was long and windy as all mountain roads are. There were cyclists off and on along the road. I would check them out as I passed and take note of the number of female riders. There were some, but most were not. I remember thinking how strong those ladies must be to be able to ride all the way up that mountain.

For those of you not familiar with Palomar, it’s a long 12 mile hill that seems never ending. The average grade is 7% and it has been dubbed the American equivalent of L’Alpe d'Huez, one of the hardest climbs in the Tour de France. The elevation gain is around 4300 feet!

After driving up the mountain, I didn’t think of it for quite some time. I knew the Tour of California was going to ascend along the South Grade Road, the same route I had driven that seemed so steep. I knew the Tour would also climb up Lake Wohlford Road a relatively steep initial climb that seemed to last for far too long. These were pro-boy climbs, not the weekend warrior type…until this weekend!

I joined a local group of riders in Escondido for an attempt at the mountain. We first rode up and over Lake Wohlford. This climb wasn’t nearly as bad as I had remembered from the previous drive. Yes, it was steep in a couple of spots, but those were short lasted. After screaming down the other side, the group made our way over to a store near the base of Palomar. We re-fueled and headed out on what would be a journey for each of us who were doing this for the first time.

I had 12 miles of climbing ahead of me. I started in the easiest gear, just spinning my way up, slowly, very slowly. After 40 minutes I had climbed only 3 miles! There were 9 more to go! I was having a gel when I realized that it had spilled and was all over my bento box, my water bottle, my leg…it was everywhere! I stopped and cleaned up a little and continued riding, alone, up the mountain. The group had dispersed with everyone ascending at their own pace.

On every switchback I would look up and saw the next one towering above and wondered how I was going to make that climb in such a short span of road, but every time, I found myself thinking how “easy” the grade really was. It was going slowly, but much easier that I would have ever dreamed. More than an hour and fifteen minutes into the ascent I began to think that the top was near. It had to be just a few more switchbacks, maybe 5-10. Around every corner however, the mountain seemed to grow! The views were incredible. The weather was perfect. All was well, until I realized this mountain was never ending!

I had just cycled up a hill 10 miles long. How much farther could it be? I knew the road was 12 miles, but I was ready for the top. I had enjoyed the ride thus far, but I longed to be done. The pain of climbing was taking its toll on me mentally and physically. Earlier in the ride I had thought about all the people who always believe in me when I attempted something as crazy as a marathon, a half ironman and finally a full ironman. I knew there were no limits on me and my abilities to climb this mountain. I could do it! I began to say to myself, “I am an Ironman!” Over and over, remembering the day that landed me in the hospital. This was not nearly as bad, but I was rapidly wearing down. I realized though, that today was my day. It was my day to conquer the illustrious Mt. Palomar. It was my decision to give up or to go on and so I went…one slow pedal stroke after another all the way to the top! It took me 2 hours and 12 minutes. I’m not a pro-boy and I’m ok with my slow pace, because today I did it! I climbed that mountain that just 6 months ago I thought would be impossible for me. I joined the league of “strong” ladies I had seen climbing the mountain last December. It was such a joyous occasion to see my whole group waiting and cheering for me at the top. What an amazing group of people to be with!

Today I am proud that I had the courage to try, the fortitude to stick with it and the strength to rise to the occasion. Now it’s your turn to conquer your own mountain!