Best of the Blue Ridge: It’s time to do the Ride

It’s raining and it may keep up.  It may rain tomorrow and the next day.  The next day is Sunday, ride day.

That would stink.  Riding 100 miles in the rain would not be fun.  But so far training for the event HAS been.

Thought I’d reflect a little over the past few months as I’ve been upping the ante and the distance of my bike rides in preparation for my first “century” ride in 15 years.  A “century” is the bike equivalent of a marathon for runners.  A marathon is 26.2 miles, a century is 100.

Thought number one – training for a century is easier than training for a marathon.  I haven’t felt near the need to train constantly, and recovery from a 70 mile training ride is much faster than a 20 mile run.

When you run 20 miles (or when I do) it takes most of the day to recover, and I’m sore and worn out for a couple days after.  In addition, overuse injuries often crop up after 20 milers.  That pain in your knee doesn’t show up during the run – it presents itself 4-5 days later.  Then you have to worry if it will go away, if you should train through it, or not at all.  No worries like that with this training.

The marathon requires almost daily devotion.  You must eat very well.  You should run 5-6 days per week.  Even when you don’t want to.  On average, I’ve been riding 3 days a week in preparation for Sunday.  I’ve pretty much eaten whatever I wanted.  Last night is was a reuben, today a cheeseburger!

I feel better between rides, and I don’t stress over finding time to do a workout EVERY day. 

My longest training ride to date has been about 80 miles.  I felt ok afterward.  Unless the last 20 miles is much harder than anticipated – this event may actually be enjoyable.  Marathons are rewarding, but I’ve never run one I’d call “enjoyable.”

So I cleaned my chain this morning and tuned up the bike.  I’m excited.  The training has been good.  No stress.  No injuries.  More fun.

Now if it just doesn’t rain on Sunday.