Nothing “fake” about those miles! You may not have gone anywhere but your legs don’t know it!
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I LOVE that you posted about this. I have also had this happen…and I’ve teared up as I approached finish lines of races for the same reasons. It’s awesome to do things that make us feel so alive. I’m someone who does not like showing emotions other than happiness and I hate crying, but moments like these are so awesome because they are what make us human. They show us how much it means to all of us to work hard towards something. So stoked that you have so much passion for what you’re doing!
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I’ve cried while on the bike. My back was thrown out and I suffered on a group ride. Tried to make legs hurt more than back and it didn’t really happen. Tough tough day
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The one time I cried was my first ride back after cancer treatment. Thinking of cycling again got me thru radiation and chemo. One month after treatment ended I was strong enough (kind of) to get back on the trainer. I think I was pointing out 50 watts or so…rode for 15 minutes. As I was riding I was just filled with emotion - so grateful to be able to ride again. A year and a half later, things are all good. Last ftp test I got myself back to power I had before I was diagnosed. Haven’t cried on trainer since then, just mostly smile while I suffer.
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I actually have a system of deliberately working myself up for more challenging intervals and I’ve certainly teared up in the process of that. It can help a ton, though.
A high HR can definitely amplify my emotions in general, too. I’ll admit to pretty much the opposite emotion from tears of joy when racing. High HR (plus near-crashing) also tends to remind me of just about every foul word I know. I have, on rare occasions, directed those words at other racers who may have wronged me. I always make it a point to apologize, though! 
I’ve cried too.
I think for me the reason is because it takes so much focus to get through some of the tougher intervals it takes up all of your analytical minds energy and opens up space for the emotional mind to come through. Doesn’t always come out as tears I guess it depends what else was on your mind at the time and your relation to that.
I’ve leveraged the same thought process to get stable on the bike during those hard intervals. Using music or something to empower me but then turning to the analytical mind to shut off the pain. Gone from panting, stomping and swaying on the bike towards the end of interval to cool, calm and collected just with a change of mind.
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