Training Log: March 31, 2010

I was flooded with Conference Calls today, so I did a spinning class at the gym this evening. I really enjoyed it - we worked on Cadence drills, break-aways, long climbs, sprints and progressive up and downs.

Spinning Class

1 Hour Fast Cadence

Approx. 16 miles

The funniest part...I was speaking with the instructor after class and we were talking about one of the shop rides here in town. I mentioned that the average speed was 15 MPH, to which she replied - that's slow - I usually average 20-25 MPH. Now, she was referring to a much flatter ride at sea-level (she's from Houston), but still - something to work towards.

Training Log: Tuesday March 30, 2010

Beautiful day outside today - 75 degrees and sunny - and windy - 20 MPH sustained and gusting to 28 MPH. When you hit one of these gusts, feels like you're hitting a wall - but a good opportunity to practice your aero-dynamic riding position.

Ride: Airforce Academy Loop

Time: 1 Hr. 42 Mins

Distance: 25 miles

Avg. Speed: 14.7 MPH

Good day riding - felt strong and maintained a good cadence.

Riding Lesson #274

• I'd rather ride with a Camel Back and not look cool than find myself dehydrated in the middle of nowhere
  
  - In addition to two bottles (32 oz each) in the traditional cage positions on my bike frame, I also carry 80 oz water in a Camel Back. On a four-hour ride, I go through both bottles and approx. 60 ounces of the water in my Camel Back - that's a total of 124 ounces. Staying hydrated keeps my muscles happy and my energy level consistent.
  

Training Log: March 27th & 28th

March 28th, 2010 - Good weekend of rides. Earlier this week it snowed and yesterday, the wind was blowing 25-35 MPH all day with a high of 38 degrees - not good riding weather. I was able to train inside on my trainer (you lock in the rear axle and ride against a flywheel that simulates a flat road).

Here are my rides from this weekend:

Sat, March 27th

Indoor trainer

3 hours @ 16 MPH

48 Miles total distance

Sun, March 28th

Ride CO 115 from the Giant Insect Museum to Penrose and back.

3 hours 53 minutes @ 13.9 MPH

54.2 Miles total distance.

April's Training Plan

April's Training Plan

Week-6 (10hrs)	M-Day off T-1hr W-1.5hrs R-1hr F-Very easy 30min	SAT-2.5hrs SUN-3.5hrs @ 95% of goal pace
Week-7 (11hrs)	M-Day off T-1.5hrs W-1hr R-1hr F-Very easy 30min	SAT-3hrs SUN-4hrs @ 95% of goal pace
Week-8 (12hrs)	M-Day off T-1.5hrs W-1.5hrs R-1hr F-Very easy 30min	SAT-3.5hrs SUN-4hrs @ 100% of goal pace
Week-9 (13hrs)	M-Day off T-1hr W-1.5hrs R-1hr F-Very easy 30min	SAT-4hrs SUN-5hrs @ 100% of goal pace

Time To Buckle Down And Train Hard

March 6, 2010 - RTR has an excellent website (http://www.ridetherockies.com) and provide excellent resources relating to training, nutrition, equipment, and safety.

I visit the Riders Area and click on the link for OptimizeEndurance.com to see what their training plans look like: http://www.optimizeendurance.com/training-plans-colorado/2010_ride-the-rockies-colorado-training-plans.htm

There's a Beginner plan and an Advanced plan - naturally (for those who know me) I click on the advanced plan which calls for 10-14 hours a week training. Here's what my new riding plan looks like:

March

Week-1(8hrs) M-Day off T-1hr W-1.5hrs R-1hr F-Very easy 30min SAT-2hrs SUN-2hrs @ 70% of goal pace

Week-2 (9.5hrs) M-Day off T-1hr W-1.5hrs R-1hr F-Very easy 30min SAT-2.5hrs SUN-3hrs @ 75% of goal pace

Week-3(10.5hrs) M-Day off T-1.5hrs W-1hr R-1hr F-Very easy 30min SAT-3hrs SUN-3.5hrs @ 80% of goal pace

Week-4 (11hrs) M-Day off T-1.5hrs W-1hr R-1hr F-Very easy 30min SAT-3hrs SUN-4hrs @ 85% of goal pace

Week-5 (9hrs) M-Day off T-1hr W-30min R-1hr F-Very easy 30min SAT-3hr SUN-3hrs @ 90% of goal pace

Did I Get In?

March 5th, 2010 - Pins and needles, butterflies in the stomach, waiting waiting waiting for that magic email telling me that I've been selected in the lottery.

I check the Ride the Rockies Facebook page first thing in the morning to see if there's any news of when people will find out if they were selected. About 30 other anxious RTR potential riders are also wondering. There's a rumor that your credit card will be charged the entry fee before you get the official email.

8:43 a.m. - the email notification from MarathonGuide.com comes through letting me know that my credit card has been charged! I don't think I've ever been so happy learning that $370 got charged to my card!!

========= GENERAL INFORMATION =========

Merchant : MARATHONGUIDE COM / Web Marketing Associates
Date/Time : 05-Mar-2010 09:43:39 AM
Transaction ID : 2877190738

========= ORDER INFORMATION =========
Invoice Number : RTRk109602
Description : Ride The Rockies Accepted Registrant Registration - Peter
Reed

It's official!! I'm in!!

Registration Day Is Here!

Feb 7, 2010 - It's registration day! As soon as I wake up, I'm on the internet to register...and get the following email:

This email is to confirm that your application for the 2010 Denver Post Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour was received.

All applicants will be notified of their standing on Friday, March 5th.

And now the waiting game starts. I have no idea how many people will sign up for the lottery or what my chances are of actually getting in - but I keep on training.

Fingers Crossed!!

Time To Start Training

January 10, 2010 - Ride the Rockies provides a basic training plan to get ready for the event. Exactly what I need. It's starts slow and then gradually increases in both mileage and duration up until the event. With a few modifications, here's the training schedule that I put together:

WEEK (START ON SAT.)	TOTAL MILES	# WEEKEND RIDES/TOTAL MILES FOR RIDES	#WEEKDAY RIDES/TOTAL MILES FOR RIDES
January 11	20	1/10	1/10
January 18	30	1/10	2/20
January 25	30	1/10	2/20
February 1	30	1/10	2/20
February 8	40	1/15	2/25
February 15	40	1/15	2/25
February 22	40	1/15	2/25
March 1	50	1/20	2/30
March 8	50	1/20	2/30
March 15	60	1/20	3/40
March 22	70	1/20	3/50
March 29	70	1/20	3/50
April 5	80	1/30	3/50
April 12	80	1/30	3/50
April 19	90	1/35	3/55
April 26	90	1/35	3/55
May 3	100	1/40	3/60
May 10	125	2/65	3/60
May 17	140	2/80	3/60
May 24	160	2/95	3/65
May 31	185	2/140 *	2/45
June 7	90	2/55	2/35 **

What Is Ride The Rockies Anyway?

January 2010 - Time to jump on the Internet and figure out exactly what I will be getting myself into...

Oh Boy...I find out that this year is the 25th Anniversary of Ride the Rockies. Here's what I'm in for:

The Denver Post Ride The Rockies is an annual bicycle tour that takes 2,000 cyclists, assisted by more than 100 volunteers, on a 7 day ride on paved roads through Colorado's Rocky Mountains each June.

In celebration of 25 years, RTR patrons will be treated to a seven-day, 532-mile trek, ascending four of Colorado's most scenic mountain passes including Red Mountain, Coal Bank, Wolf Creek and Poncha. Cyclists will also travel Molas Divide and experience two natural wonders in the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa.

OK...so that's a bit more than I thought - but I' still up for the challenge. So where do I sign up?

I check the Registration Page - and learn that registration opens up on Saturday, Feb. 6th., AND that it's a lottery. OK...so I'll add an appointment to my calendar to register and start training - just in case.

Who's Idea Was This Anyway?

June 2009 - At a bar in San Francisco, over a few beers, two work colleagues discuss the idea of doing Ride the Rockies. At the time, it's a general suggestion, not a solid plan, an idea planted in my sub-conscious that sits dormant for months to come, until...

October 2009 - I pick up the book No Opportunity Wasted (NOW) and start reading it. Here's a description of the book:

Written by Phil Keoghan and Warren Berger, No Opportunity Wasted (Rodale Press) aims to inspire people to break through their boundaries, challenge themselves, and live a fuller life.

Though Phil is known as an outdoor adventurer this book is not just about climbing mountains or skydiving - it's about seeking out opportunities to keep learning, exposing oneself to new cultural influences and fresh experiences, looking at life from new angles, and finding ways to enrich the lives of others around you.

NOW combines the appeal of an inspirational book with the adrenaline-rush of a thriller. Phil shares his dynamic philosophy, as he takes readers along routes leading from the Yucatan Jungle to the depths of an underwater cave to the top of an erupting volcano. Along the way, you'll meet fascinating people facing their greatest life challenges from the soldier in Iraq to the Hollywood film actor. Stories include a mailman who takes a shot at pro hockey, a nun trying for a triathlon record, an 89-year-old barefoot water skier, a young surfer who won't let paralysis keep him off the board, and a husband who helps his musician wife to finally shine in the spotlight.

This is no armchair adventure book. It is an urgent and inspiring call to action. Phil provides a clear, step-by-step guide to help you create a personalized "List for Life". Packed with practical suggestions and examples, and driven by Phil Keoghan's fresh, compelling 'NOW' philosophy, this is a book that will help us all seize everything our lives have to offer.

While reading the chapter "Test Your Limits", the Ride the Rockies event immediately comes to mind - and I add it to my "life list".