Well, started my 3 day bike block yesterday. Objective is to ride 4 hours a day for three days straight. The largest amount of time in that period of time that I’ll have riden. Hoping to push the muscles and build stronger cycling legs.
Day 1
Decided it was time to start climbing the mountain and that day 1 would be better than day 2 or 3. Not sure if that was smart, but did it anyway. So did 3 hours 45 minutes. I know a little short of my 4 hour goal but some serious climbing in some good heat so I was done. The main climb is about 17 miles long from my door to the peak before the ski area parking lot. Mt bachelor is the resort near by and the elevation at the base is 6,300. I live at about 3,400, so the main climb is about 3,000 feet in the 17 miles. From there I dropped down the side of the mountain toward Sun River. Only went to the bottom of that descent, about 8-9 miles. Then turned around and climbed back up. The climb is shorter but steeper in sections. I’d guess another 2,000 feet of climbing for those 8 miles. The dropped down those last 17 miles home. About 55 miles in total at a super slow pace, but by far the most climbing I’ve ever done, probably 25 miles.
I was totally Trashed last night. Legs were heavy, neck was sore, and just all around fatigued. Ate a bunch and had a protein shake before bed.
Day 2
Woke up this morning and my legs weren’t as bad as I thought they might be. Headed out early to get in today’s hours. The first 2 hours were great, I didn’t feel too fatigued and managed a steady clip. Then slam, turned South to climb out of Redmond and had a bit of a head wind for the next 20 miles. My legs were fried, definitely feeling the climb from the day before at this point. As usual the second half of my ride brought my avg speed way down. However I was able to get in the full 4 hours plus a 20 minute brick run and kept my heart rate at a good level. About another 65 miles today.
It’s a bit frustrating being so slow on the bike, especially when Matt comes home and says he did 105 miles 
. But my own fault for slacking through the winter. I still have 14 weeks to prepare for Canada and feel I’ve made good gains in lowering my heart rate and increasing my time in the saddle. I just need to keep at it. My new pump me up after a slow ride song is The Show Must Go On by Queen. Gets me pumped and lifts the spirits to keep on going. Never Stop Tri’n.
Tomorrow I’ll be taking some pictures at the local race in town. Pedal, Paddle, Pole. Basically atheletes ski down the mountain, then cross country ski, then fly down on a bike to town, then paddle the river, then run to the finish line. Very big race here and highly competitive. If you win this you’re a God in this town. Most of the past winners have been Pro Nordic Skiers. They open up a huge gap and hold on, not to mention those guys are super fit. Should be fun.
Then I need to squeeze in my 4 hours of riding later in the afternoon. Might do it on the mountain bike to switch things up a bit and get some more climbing in, my weakness.
Attack the weakness and make it a strength
The endurance life and blog of Tribro. My journey to a more endurance lifestyle and Ironman WI ‘07.
bluebirdbiker said,
May 20, 2006 @ 10:45 am
Very nice Tribro. Keep up the good work. It will get the legs bigger in no time. Usually takes, as they say 8-12weeks to see benefits. As I am sure the boys (bros) have been telling you, eat lots o protien after and give’em a rest. Have you thought of just doing a 1-2mi brick after the rides to get that feeling? Pete Reid says brick as much as ya can as often as you can. It doesn’t take much after a long ride. It’s short and doable. I find that the bricks I always do after any of my rides have made my legs 100% adapted to the running after the bike. It’s very helpful. Just a thought. Keep it up. Nice work BTW.