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February 10, 2007
Cycling Endurance
If there is one thing I feel lacking in with my training it's long rides on my bike. Besides doing one century ride last summer I really haven't ridden much more than 2 or 2.5 hours at any given time. Okay for Olympic distance races I suppose, but not okay for 1/2 IMs! It will take, at the very least, 2.5 hours for me to ride the 56 miles in my one half iron this summer and so therefore I need some long rides. Fear no more - the long rides are coming.
Today was 2.5 hours and because I don't live in Austin and it's still just 11 degrees here (with a windchill of 0 no less) I was inside on the trainer. That's just a long time to sit in one place and keep pedaling. But that's exactly what I did. Pedal and pedal and pedal some more. Much like I'll be doing for those 56 miles in June. I had a target HR range to stay within (of course) that proved to be not too easy/not too hard type of thing. Just a nice, steady ride. And I have to admit - I watched MTV the whole time. I'm pretty sure I lost a few brain cells but I swear there was nothing good on. Plus I was kind of working hard so I couldn't really concentrate on something where I had to use my brain. You get my drift.
Looking ahead in my schedule I see I have rides of 3 hours, 3.5 hours and 4 hours. No need to worry about my cycling endurance any longer! In addition my mid-week rides climb up towards 2 hours also. I suppose cycling is a great way to build up that aerobic engine without tearing down the body (like running is liable to do). All I can say is, I really hope it's warm enough to ride outside by the time those 4 hour rides roll around. 4 hours on the trainer? If it has to be done, it will be done but poking my eyes out with a sharp stick might be more fun... :)
Posted by beth at February 10, 2007 12:42 PM
Comments
BETH!! If it's going to take you 2.5 hours to bike 56 miles how long is it going to take me!??!?!?!?!!?!? AHHHHHHHHHHH. My max ride to date has been 90 minutes. Clearly not long enough!!!
Posted by: Audrey at February 10, 2007 1:28 PM
...i'd seriously start considering connecting the bike to a generator...
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at February 10, 2007 4:48 PM
Hmmmm......hooking up the bike to a generator. Perhaps we can use the power for some type of heat source.
Posted by: O at February 10, 2007 7:40 PM