I am alive and I edited my original post with the full, albeit long, story.
All told, it was alot easier that I thought. I was prepared for a long, miserable, grinding day. Aside from a couple short frustrating moments, it was petty good. Up until the last hour, I actually felt 95% fine...just like any 100 mile ride.
It is a mental and physical endurance test but if you do it wisely, it's quite an accomplishment.