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Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Been Away Too Long!
Yikes. I received a vm from an old friend the other day, letting me know she follows my blog. My what??? Damn. My blog...I nearly forgot all about it. Well, until now. Have logged a ton 'o miles since my last post, with 6600 YTD. My friend Pete Wilson was catching up to me in the mileage dept. and I figure the only way to be within 1-2 states of him in RAAM is to ride at LEAST as much as him. Pretty smart for a PE grad from Chico State.
The big race is now 2 weeks from tomorrow. I am ready...or not. Someone who know alot about training said, "the hay is in the barn," whatever that is supposed to mean. Seriously, I am feeling very ready. Of course, the big unknown is the ensuing fatigue that climbs on one's back as the miles pile up and the sleep times...unpile? Never mind.
About 5-6 weeks ago I was really no longer interested in competing in RAAM. I had completed a monster 400 mile race simulation weekend, my depression was kicking into high gear, and then I caught a virus at the lovely hotel I stayed in while in SF for a conference. Down for the count for almost 3 weeks, with little training and even less desire to get on the bike.
Well, I am back. The past 3 days I rode 300 miles at an average of 18.5 mph and an average heart rate of 120. The endurance is definitely "in the barn," as the experts say.
I promise to check in more often as the race approaches...
It's ALl about saving lives.
The big race is now 2 weeks from tomorrow. I am ready...or not. Someone who know alot about training said, "the hay is in the barn," whatever that is supposed to mean. Seriously, I am feeling very ready. Of course, the big unknown is the ensuing fatigue that climbs on one's back as the miles pile up and the sleep times...unpile? Never mind.
About 5-6 weeks ago I was really no longer interested in competing in RAAM. I had completed a monster 400 mile race simulation weekend, my depression was kicking into high gear, and then I caught a virus at the lovely hotel I stayed in while in SF for a conference. Down for the count for almost 3 weeks, with little training and even less desire to get on the bike.
Well, I am back. The past 3 days I rode 300 miles at an average of 18.5 mph and an average heart rate of 120. The endurance is definitely "in the barn," as the experts say.
I promise to check in more often as the race approaches...
It's ALl about saving lives.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
12 Hour Challenge
8,000 feet of climbing. 50 miles of punishing headwinds. As the day wore on, I had virtually abandonded the idea that I would be able to make my goal of 200 miles. With 3 hours to go, a 3 mile wrong turn and a 15 mile stretch straight into the winds whipping off the Delta, I settled in to just complete the race. 190 miles I figured. Not bad for a first time doing anything of the kind.
Forget that! Once I hit Winters and entered the 18 mile loop around the orchards, I quickly realized that 200 miles was within reach. To make it would require a final 18 mile loop at over 19 mph average. The afternoon winds were ferocious.
My mind wandered back to 25 years ago (this month) to the final 6 miles of the Boston Marathon. Heartbreak Hill. Winds coming off the Atlantic. As the screaming crowds pressed in around the runners along Commonwealth Avenue, my legs screamed louder: Quit!
Back then, and 25 years later on the farm roads outside of Winters, there would be no quit. 200 miles was within reach.
The significance of yesterday is really quite simple - less than 2 years ago I weighed in at 235. This is all about the power of the human will and the incredible feats of the human body. Yesterday, I was pretty impressed with what was accomplished yesterday. Notice I did not say that I was impressed with myself. I am amazed at what virutally anyone can do if they have a dream and go to work to acheve it.
Find something to fuel your ambition. Go to work toward it, day by day. You will be impressed at the outcome.
Forget that! Once I hit Winters and entered the 18 mile loop around the orchards, I quickly realized that 200 miles was within reach. To make it would require a final 18 mile loop at over 19 mph average. The afternoon winds were ferocious.
My mind wandered back to 25 years ago (this month) to the final 6 miles of the Boston Marathon. Heartbreak Hill. Winds coming off the Atlantic. As the screaming crowds pressed in around the runners along Commonwealth Avenue, my legs screamed louder: Quit!
Back then, and 25 years later on the farm roads outside of Winters, there would be no quit. 200 miles was within reach.
The significance of yesterday is really quite simple - less than 2 years ago I weighed in at 235. This is all about the power of the human will and the incredible feats of the human body. Yesterday, I was pretty impressed with what was accomplished yesterday. Notice I did not say that I was impressed with myself. I am amazed at what virutally anyone can do if they have a dream and go to work to acheve it.
Find something to fuel your ambition. Go to work toward it, day by day. You will be impressed at the outcome.
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