Recovery is over...
StumpJump is now a thing of the past and it's time to get back on schedule and think of the future. I have 1 more adventure race this year (the Buff Betty, where I gathered 3 of the top female racers in the SE to join my team. :) we'll have a ton of fun!). The AR season will pick back up for me in March, so meanwhile everything will be me gearing up for the Mt. Mitchell Challenge in late Feb.
I did enjoy some gorgeous weather yesterday on a road ride with Lisa & Rebecca. We started from our houses (how nice! certainly can't do that in Atlanta), went across the north side of Lookout Mtn, down a valley to the west, then climbed up Burkhalter Gap. I was warned about this... the first 2 miles were a slow steady grade. I did learn that with only 2 chainrings on my bike, I can't spin as slow as the triples (that L&R had), so I had to push ahead of them so that I could stay upright. I turned a corner and then saw what all the talk was about. The road went UP. I was already in the lowest gear and breathing hard enough. All I really wanted was to make it to the top without walking. After a deep breath I took it nice & easy, weaving a little bit to lessen the effects of the hill. I was breathing sooo hard, praying there wasn't a car coming behind me (even though the speed limit is reduced, they still fly). I pressed on and then bam, it was over. WOW. I did it! I pulled over to the side and huffed & puffed like I never have before. Although I didn't wear my heart rate monitor, I wouldn't be surprised if I reached my predicted max heart rate (204). It was unreal. I can't imagine doing it at mile 83 of the 3 State 3 Mountain (which I am hoping to do next May).
I've been talking with Tony at ATS on how to properly ramp up things, so hopefully I'll get feedback soon. I do know I need to integrate hill repeats and speed workouts into my weekly plan. I jumped on that tonight and did hills + a run with Jim... in the chilly drizzle. (not ideal, but once you get going it's not so bad). I also have a few other long training/events that should keep me on track with preparing for my first 40mile run:
- Nov 17: a midnight trail marathon in Dupont Forest (the actual race was held last weekend, but some folks are planning to do this the night before a bike-o event
- Dec 16: the Art Loeb Trail Adventure Run: a 30ish mile speed hike/run of the entire trail. Starts at dawn.. hopefully finish by sunset. weather conditions will play a key role in this. (some snow would be good practice for Feb).
- Jan 29: Mountain Mist 50k. 31 miles, with MUCH more elevation change than the the SJ.
Now the goal is to stay injury-free and healthy!
I did enjoy some gorgeous weather yesterday on a road ride with Lisa & Rebecca. We started from our houses (how nice! certainly can't do that in Atlanta), went across the north side of Lookout Mtn, down a valley to the west, then climbed up Burkhalter Gap. I was warned about this... the first 2 miles were a slow steady grade. I did learn that with only 2 chainrings on my bike, I can't spin as slow as the triples (that L&R had), so I had to push ahead of them so that I could stay upright. I turned a corner and then saw what all the talk was about. The road went UP. I was already in the lowest gear and breathing hard enough. All I really wanted was to make it to the top without walking. After a deep breath I took it nice & easy, weaving a little bit to lessen the effects of the hill. I was breathing sooo hard, praying there wasn't a car coming behind me (even though the speed limit is reduced, they still fly). I pressed on and then bam, it was over. WOW. I did it! I pulled over to the side and huffed & puffed like I never have before. Although I didn't wear my heart rate monitor, I wouldn't be surprised if I reached my predicted max heart rate (204). It was unreal. I can't imagine doing it at mile 83 of the 3 State 3 Mountain (which I am hoping to do next May).
I've been talking with Tony at ATS on how to properly ramp up things, so hopefully I'll get feedback soon. I do know I need to integrate hill repeats and speed workouts into my weekly plan. I jumped on that tonight and did hills + a run with Jim... in the chilly drizzle. (not ideal, but once you get going it's not so bad). I also have a few other long training/events that should keep me on track with preparing for my first 40mile run:
- Nov 17: a midnight trail marathon in Dupont Forest (the actual race was held last weekend, but some folks are planning to do this the night before a bike-o event
- Dec 16: the Art Loeb Trail Adventure Run: a 30ish mile speed hike/run of the entire trail. Starts at dawn.. hopefully finish by sunset. weather conditions will play a key role in this. (some snow would be good practice for Feb).
- Jan 29: Mountain Mist 50k. 31 miles, with MUCH more elevation change than the the SJ.
Now the goal is to stay injury-free and healthy!
posted by cathi at 7:56 PM
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