Each endurance sport has it's "big fish"! In running it is the marathon (26.2 miles), and for cycling it is the "century ride" (100 miles). People train for those specific events for months and months just to be able to finish one attempt. I have a lot of experience at training for marathons, I have completed three of them and they take quite a bit of dedication. While training for the marathons, you wanted to make sure that you wanted to peak on race day, which meant doing your longest training run a few weeks prior to the actual race. This allowed your body to recover just enough to perform at a completely rested, yet still fit level on race day.
Prior to starting my training for the Etape the furthest I had ever gone in a single day on my bike was 85 miles. It was a random summer day a few years ago, and I hurt for several days afterwards. When I received my training plan for the Etape I noticed 1 ride of 110 miles during the training leading up to the race. I thought about how meaningless my first century ride would be, due to the fact that I would be training alone. Yesterday the weather was great, and my training mileage called for an 85 mile ride. After 5 hours in the saddle I felt great, and decided today would be the day for my first century. As I rounded the last corner, and headed for home I noticed my computer roll over to read 100.00, and I silently celebrated turning into my driveway. Although it wasn't a big century ride, it still was a milestone for me. Each week I get close to the ultimate prize, MY stage of the 2009 Tour de France, so in the grand scheme of things this Saturday's century was just another rung on the ladder that leads to Ventoux. I reeld in a big one on Saturday, but there are bigger fish to fry!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Reality Sets In
Last September when I first decided to embark on this endeavor, I only imagined what being in great shape and riding a stage of the Tour de France would be like. This past weekend I reached another milestone in my training, an 85 mile ride, which is officially the longest that I have gone on any single day of training. Since I am a pro cycling geek and follow all of the major races, I know what the Dauphine Libere race means each June. It is the final tune up for the TdF and it is starting to sink in that I am only 5 weeks away from my date with Mt. Ventoux.
My training is going well, I was able to ride 85 miles at an average pace of 18 MPH. Just 3 months ago that pace and distance would have been unthinkable. As I watched the stage of the Dauphine that went to the summit of Ventoux, I thought about how I would have my own opportunity in a few weeks. Lance Armstrong was quoted this last week as saying that the Ventoux is the hardest climb in France, well that certainly makes this feat even more special.
I really appreciate all of the encouragement from friends and family, I can't begin to describe how your kind words have pushed me to my limit, when I thought I couldn't go any further. My fundraising efforts for the Lance Armstrong Foundation are doing well. We have raise $1065 so far, and I am in the process of receiving a $1000 matching grant from my company. On July 20th it will be me, my Trek Madone 5.2 and 107 miles of pavement. I am quite confident in my ability to finish this ride, but their is a very sadistic part of me that is starting to think about how fast I can complete this. I think that is crazy talk! Just finish! By the way, I received my entry form the ASO the other day.......I will be racing as # 6299. Thanks again to everyone, and I will check back soon!
My training is going well, I was able to ride 85 miles at an average pace of 18 MPH. Just 3 months ago that pace and distance would have been unthinkable. As I watched the stage of the Dauphine that went to the summit of Ventoux, I thought about how I would have my own opportunity in a few weeks. Lance Armstrong was quoted this last week as saying that the Ventoux is the hardest climb in France, well that certainly makes this feat even more special.
I really appreciate all of the encouragement from friends and family, I can't begin to describe how your kind words have pushed me to my limit, when I thought I couldn't go any further. My fundraising efforts for the Lance Armstrong Foundation are doing well. We have raise $1065 so far, and I am in the process of receiving a $1000 matching grant from my company. On July 20th it will be me, my Trek Madone 5.2 and 107 miles of pavement. I am quite confident in my ability to finish this ride, but their is a very sadistic part of me that is starting to think about how fast I can complete this. I think that is crazy talk! Just finish! By the way, I received my entry form the ASO the other day.......I will be racing as # 6299. Thanks again to everyone, and I will check back soon!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Good Days..........Bad Says
One thing I have learned in the many years that I have been training for endurance events.......you have good days, and you have bad days. Whether it is training for a marathon, triathlon or the Etape du Tour, there are days when you feel like you can take on the world, and there are days when you just aren't up to doing anything.
After my great 75 mile ride last weekend, I was up for 80 miles on Saturday and a 30 mile recovery ride on Sunday. As I prepared for Saturday's ride, I noticed that the weather hadn't cleared up like the forecast had called for. It was still 55 degrees and overcast. I set out on the bike with every intention of putting in the full 80 miles, but quickly realized that my body wanted no part of a long ride. As I closed in on the first 30 miles I decided to take some advice that someone gave me while I was training for my first marathon. "If you don't feel up to it, don't do it." Adjust your training to suit your body. So I stopped at 30 miles.
When Sunday came I felt a lot better and completed my 80 miles with no probelem. I think I made the right choice changing my schedule, and I am happy that I got all of my weekly mileage in. My training is still going according to plan, and my weight is down to a lean 177 pounds. I am still going to continue to drop weight until the Etape, but I am very pleased with my progress, as well as how good I feel. This week is calling for a lot of rain, but that is no reason not to ride. I'll update later in the week with some training pictures.
After my great 75 mile ride last weekend, I was up for 80 miles on Saturday and a 30 mile recovery ride on Sunday. As I prepared for Saturday's ride, I noticed that the weather hadn't cleared up like the forecast had called for. It was still 55 degrees and overcast. I set out on the bike with every intention of putting in the full 80 miles, but quickly realized that my body wanted no part of a long ride. As I closed in on the first 30 miles I decided to take some advice that someone gave me while I was training for my first marathon. "If you don't feel up to it, don't do it." Adjust your training to suit your body. So I stopped at 30 miles.
When Sunday came I felt a lot better and completed my 80 miles with no probelem. I think I made the right choice changing my schedule, and I am happy that I got all of my weekly mileage in. My training is still going according to plan, and my weight is down to a lean 177 pounds. I am still going to continue to drop weight until the Etape, but I am very pleased with my progress, as well as how good I feel. This week is calling for a lot of rain, but that is no reason not to ride. I'll update later in the week with some training pictures.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
There and Back!
It has been almost a month since I last posted an update, and I think I have had good reason. On May 7th I was asked by my boss to participate in a project that would require me to travel to Germany. I was told that it would be a great opportunity, and an experience of a lifetime. I was not sure how long this project would last, so on short notice I packed my bags and hopped on a plane!
Prior to leaving I contacted Katya Krautz from Trek Bicycles, and she was kind enough to have a local Trek dealer rent me a Madone 5.2 for the legnth of my stay in Germany. Upon my arrival Tom, from Tom's Bicycles in Dortmund, Germany had my new rig ready and I was very happy. I was able to map out an 18 miles loop that included almost 1000 feet of climbing. It was a great workout, and helped my legs get the training they will need to tackle Mt. Ventoux in July. I found out quickly that German food is not very good for my diet, so I was not finding much to eat that didn't include heavy creams and fats. I didn't eat much, and ended up losing another 7 pounds. When I started thid endeavor back in October I had a goal of reaching a goal weight of 175 pounds, I am now 179. Almost there.
After 2 weeks, my work project was wrapped up, and it was time for me to return home. Yesterday, was my first long ride back home, and I was due for a 75 mile excursion. I felt great when I set out, and started out on familiar roads that complimented the great 75 degree weather. 4 hours later I finished my 75 mile ride, at an average of 18 miles per hour. That is the fastest training ride ever, and besides the fact, I felt awesome afterwards. I am more dtermined now than ever to have peak fitness for the Tour and look forward to finishing my training right here at home! This picture is of my new friend Tom from Tom's Bike Shop in Germany.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Chasing The Sun
Since I have been training for the Etape, I have felt very good during my Saturday long rides. Each week my fitness has progressed in a way that is keeping me on track to finish the Etape in July. At the end of my long rides, I have felt like I could have continued for a while longer......until yesterday.
Sometimes you just aren't motivated, no matter how you try to psych yourself up for the ride, sometimes you just don't feel like training. After procrastinating for the better part of Saturday morning, I finally suited up and got my bike ready. It had been raining all morning so I put on my rain jacket and neoprene booties for the ride. I was due for a 60 mile ride, and was dreading every pedal stroke. I set out around 1pm and immediately felt a case of "dead legs" coming on. I wasn't pushing any big gears and my legs felt VERY tired. I hadn't even pre-determined the route I was going to ride, because the rain was consuming my preparation. Looking at the horizon I noticed a clear patch of sky off in the distance, maybe I could ride towards the clearing and find some dry weather. About 20 miles in, my legs weren't feeling anymore lively than during that first mile, but I was determined to push through and get these miles in my legs. The rain kept coming down and it seemed that I never got any closer to the sun. Almost 2 hours into the ride I finally caught the sun, it felt so good to dry off and shed my rain jacket. I continued to feel very tired and was starting to get stomach cramps.
I tried to eat, but the cramps intensified, so I just drank fluids. Finally 3 1/2 hours after I started, I coasted back home finishing all 60 miles. I guess the lesson learned was that you always wont feel great, but as long as you stay focused on your goals you will eventually catch the sun! Let's hope today is a little different!
Kyle
Sometimes you just aren't motivated, no matter how you try to psych yourself up for the ride, sometimes you just don't feel like training. After procrastinating for the better part of Saturday morning, I finally suited up and got my bike ready. It had been raining all morning so I put on my rain jacket and neoprene booties for the ride. I was due for a 60 mile ride, and was dreading every pedal stroke. I set out around 1pm and immediately felt a case of "dead legs" coming on. I wasn't pushing any big gears and my legs felt VERY tired. I hadn't even pre-determined the route I was going to ride, because the rain was consuming my preparation. Looking at the horizon I noticed a clear patch of sky off in the distance, maybe I could ride towards the clearing and find some dry weather. About 20 miles in, my legs weren't feeling anymore lively than during that first mile, but I was determined to push through and get these miles in my legs. The rain kept coming down and it seemed that I never got any closer to the sun. Almost 2 hours into the ride I finally caught the sun, it felt so good to dry off and shed my rain jacket. I continued to feel very tired and was starting to get stomach cramps.
I tried to eat, but the cramps intensified, so I just drank fluids. Finally 3 1/2 hours after I started, I coasted back home finishing all 60 miles. I guess the lesson learned was that you always wont feel great, but as long as you stay focused on your goals you will eventually catch the sun! Let's hope today is a little different!
Kyle
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Group Rides or Good Friends!
As much as I have read about cycling over the years, has always inspired debate over training alone or in a group. Since I have been training for several events, whether it has been the Marine Corps Marathon, Boston Marathon or one of the many triathlons I have completed, it has always been alone. I find that the solitude out on the road clears my head and provides a certain bit of motivation. I have read hundreds of running and cycling magazines that praise the camaraderie of group training, but to me it is the long lonely day in the saddle that is most grarifying....with one exception!
A few years ago my neighbor Eric bought a bike and began to accompany me out on my weekend rides. Eric and I would go out for several hours on the bike, each taking our turns on the front to cut the wind. Due to my training for the Etape this year, I started riding much earlier this year, which has prevented Eric and I from getting many training rides in together. We were able to get out on the bike yesterday, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. 85 degrees, sunny, and very little wind. Sunday was a recovery day for me, and we enjoyed a nice easy 21 mile spin through some very beautiful farm country. When I go riding with Eric, there is always an adventurous spirit about the routes that we take. We often try new roads, just to see where they lead us. Thanks again to my good friend, for all of the great conversation and laughs during our rides, I guess that some training partners are worth their weight in gold! Thanks buddy!
This week's training has included some very interesting elements. An indoor spin on the trainer, a very wet and dangerous 20 mile Wednesday night ride, and a very fast 55 miles on a gorgeous Saturday in 3 hours and 4 minutes. My bike came back from the shop on Friday riding better than it did the day I bought it! The weather looks good for this week........I hope these good training trends continue for me!
Kyle
Thursday, April 23, 2009
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