Training Bank

The second half of our training season is here! The team is at the point where all our training efforts will be put the test (and in some cases, exposed) as we begin the series of triple digit distance rides. Beginning tomorrow with the Grizzly Peak Century (GPC), on the training calender as our team ride. An event that is not for the faint of heart...not as much the distance as for the climbing. Without the level of training I'm doing as part of the Death Ride Team, I wouldn't attempt this ride on my own.

GPC is a great opportunity to motivate and ride for myself. Having a role on my team as ride support makes it tough to monitor where I'm really at in my training. Most weeks are spent being there for everyone else but myself. I enjoy this event because it allows me to work on my time management and assessing where my training or lack of has me this season. This has been my most challenging season to train. I have a schedule that leaves me very little time and energy to get in the type of training that I have been used to in past seasons. In spite of doing well at the team ride thus far, I do worry that I'm doing enough to finish the season strong.

Past seasons I would hit the road during the week. This season I hit the trainer and DVDs, riding "B", my first bike...a vintage steel Bianchi that got me through my first 2 cycling seasons. I sweat and spin as many evenings as my schedule will allow. But is it enough? I also try to fit in some strength training and yoga...but most weeks that isn't happening. The balance of life to training ratio is a tricky one. In spite of my inner turmoil over my training regiment, I have been feeling strong on the road with the team. What I have in my training bank will tell the story tomorrow at GPC. For today, I hydrate, fuel up, stretch it out, rest and prepare for tomorrow's challenge!

Riding through 2010

This was the year that I went from riding a bike to becoming a cyclist. My little idea of trying something new, quickly became a challenge to train & participate in endurance events and now has become my sanity and new passion. I'm so thankful for my little partner in this adventure, my bike "B". This old retired bike that I was able to dust off and give a second chance to (had been stored in many pieces in a shed for years) has been an amazing gift to help me on my journey. This bike had seen better days and took a lot of work to become my constant and reliable (most of the time) companion this last year.


With the limited abilities of this bike (est. 1998 Bianchi) and my body, I was amazed of what we have been able to accomplish together! I believe tenacity is our main ingredient for success. I have ridden well over 2000 miles this last year between events and training. Having had the opportunity to ride all around the bay area and see the most amazing places has been wonderful! This year I traveled to Solvang, Moab Utah, and Lakeport California to ride in their endurance events as part of Team in Training (TNT). Each event was amazing and special to me for different reasons.

Outside of TNT I entered and rode The Cinderella Classic, Diablo Century and The Tour de Asti with friends. All beautiful and fun rides that I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing with my cycling buddies. It was a great year and I felt very accomplished with my cycling goals. I definitively exceeded my personal expectations for year one of riding.




So now what...tomorrow is 2011 and the start of a new year and cycling season? Well, I continue to ride at least once a week and more if weather and my schedule allows. I've also begun to formulate my goals and rides for 2011. Part of my criteria involves riding with friends. So far, I have not actually entered any rides but plan on riding The Cinderella Classic, Tahoe/AMBR, The Konocti Challenge and The Tour de Asti. I'm positive that the list will grow as the weather and my motivation improves. I want to ride in some different events and expand on my current ride list...I'm sure new opportunities will present themselves.


Happy New Year and ride safe in 2011~