Training Log - 5/4/07 (Speed)

Distance: 21.3 miles
Max speed: 22.0 mph
Average speed: 17.5 mph

Total Training Distance: 961.4 miles
Total Time on trainer: 5.5 hours
Weight: 185.5 lbs

One of the guys I work with keeps telling me I need to strive to be in the top 10 finishers at Tahoe. Leaving aside how ridiculous that goal would be considering my average speeds don't really move me out of the category of recreational cyclist, finishing towards the front isn't my real goal here. Just finishing a 100 mile ride will be quite a feat in itself. I'm sure I won't be first and I'm sure I won't be last. According to the people who run the Team in Training program, this year less than one-tenth of one percent of the population will finish an endurance event--a marathon, century bike ride or triathelon. So, in my mind, just finishing the 100 miles will put me in good company.

Speed is something I am going to focus a little more on though, but not because I want to finish in the top 10. When I am riding during the week, I don't feel like I am getting as much out of the rides as I need because there aren't any hills here. Picking up the pace will give me a better work out. Also, I am a bit worried about the thin air in Tahoe. I figure the best way for me to prepare for that is to get my cardio conditioning in the best shape possible.

So tonight I pushed myself to finish my 21 mile ride with an average time better than 17 mph. I did that with room to spare. Now I need to work on an 18+ mph average time.

Only a month to go!