Today’s ride was no joke. Well, some of my friends on their 4th pass at Death Ride right now may snicker (if they have the breath). But for a recovery week, this ride was more than I expected.
Here’s the Strava link, for the bike geeks out there: http://app.strava.com/activities/66861556
From Danville, I rode from the South Gate up Mt. Diablo to the summit, down to the North Gate, back up to the junction, and down the South Gate back to the start.
I rode with George, a teammate and strong athlete, who pushed me a little harder than was probably good for either of us. We’re fairly similar in speed, but George got competitive and flung himself up the mountainside, and so I tried to follow. I ended up PR’ing the 4-mile stretch from the Athenian School to the south pay gate. No wonder I felt so tired at the top!
When it was time to make the last big climb, from North Gate to the Junction, miles 27-34, rising from 425 feet to 2079 feet (i.e., gaining 1654 feet in 7 miles) at high noon, completely sun-exposed on the flank of a barren mountain in July with temperatures around the mid-90s, well, let’s just say, that’s when shit got real.
I wanted to quit at 4 different points in that 7-mile stretch.
My heavy panting made my mouth perpetually dry. The sun baked my skin. The 6% grade was occasionally interspersed with a 7-8% section that spiked my heart rate and made my legs cry out. I was not in pain, but was so very tired. My legs felt like jello. They were done. I wanted to quit.
But I didn’t.
I saw a few cyclists taking breaks on the side of the hill, but I think that may be more harmful and helpful, in the bigger training picture.
At this point in the season, much of the physical work is done. My quads are strong. My calves are enormous (Capri pants get stuck at my knees, rebuffed by the bulge of my gastrocnemius). I store great power in my glutes (that ass has to be there for a reason). I have the muscles; I just need to keep them toned.
Mt. Diablo is brain training.
Wanting to quit but pushing ahead anyway builds exactly the type of brain muscle memory that will get me through the Ironman.
You don’t stop because you’re tired; you stop when you’re done. That’s the brain muscle memory that will help me run a marathon after my 112-mile bike ride and 2.4 mile swim.
Finish lines are there for a reason. They tell you it’s time, finally, to stop moving. Until you see the line, the cheering crowds, the guy with the medal, until then, it’s one foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other.
I think brain training is paramount. My calf muscles could be a smidge slimmer, as long as my brain is in fighting form. Often, I use visualization of the race day and the finish line to help me push through a challenging workout, but sometimes, all you can do is just hunker down, grit your teeth, Iron up, and get it done.
That doesn’t happen on its own. It happens with practice. It happens by heaving myself up the north side of Diablo even though I wanted to quit 4 times. My legs are tired right now, but my brain feels strong!
Countdown: 71 Days to IMLT
Here’s the Strava link, for the bike geeks out there: http://app.strava.com/activities/66861556
From Danville, I rode from the South Gate up Mt. Diablo to the summit, down to the North Gate, back up to the junction, and down the South Gate back to the start.
- 44 miles
- 5700 feet of elevation gain
- 3:36 ride time, but with plenty of time spent off the bike, gasping for air
I rode with George, a teammate and strong athlete, who pushed me a little harder than was probably good for either of us. We’re fairly similar in speed, but George got competitive and flung himself up the mountainside, and so I tried to follow. I ended up PR’ing the 4-mile stretch from the Athenian School to the south pay gate. No wonder I felt so tired at the top!
When it was time to make the last big climb, from North Gate to the Junction, miles 27-34, rising from 425 feet to 2079 feet (i.e., gaining 1654 feet in 7 miles) at high noon, completely sun-exposed on the flank of a barren mountain in July with temperatures around the mid-90s, well, let’s just say, that’s when shit got real.
I wanted to quit at 4 different points in that 7-mile stretch.
My heavy panting made my mouth perpetually dry. The sun baked my skin. The 6% grade was occasionally interspersed with a 7-8% section that spiked my heart rate and made my legs cry out. I was not in pain, but was so very tired. My legs felt like jello. They were done. I wanted to quit.
But I didn’t.
I saw a few cyclists taking breaks on the side of the hill, but I think that may be more harmful and helpful, in the bigger training picture.
At this point in the season, much of the physical work is done. My quads are strong. My calves are enormous (Capri pants get stuck at my knees, rebuffed by the bulge of my gastrocnemius). I store great power in my glutes (that ass has to be there for a reason). I have the muscles; I just need to keep them toned.
Mt. Diablo is brain training.
Wanting to quit but pushing ahead anyway builds exactly the type of brain muscle memory that will get me through the Ironman.
You don’t stop because you’re tired; you stop when you’re done. That’s the brain muscle memory that will help me run a marathon after my 112-mile bike ride and 2.4 mile swim.
Finish lines are there for a reason. They tell you it’s time, finally, to stop moving. Until you see the line, the cheering crowds, the guy with the medal, until then, it’s one foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other.
I think brain training is paramount. My calf muscles could be a smidge slimmer, as long as my brain is in fighting form. Often, I use visualization of the race day and the finish line to help me push through a challenging workout, but sometimes, all you can do is just hunker down, grit your teeth, Iron up, and get it done.
That doesn’t happen on its own. It happens with practice. It happens by heaving myself up the north side of Diablo even though I wanted to quit 4 times. My legs are tired right now, but my brain feels strong!
Countdown: 71 Days to IMLT
Week 35 Mileage
Tuesday, July 9 Bike - 1 hour 30 minutes, 21 miles, 2100 ft gain 3 Bears out and back Wednesday, July 10 Run/Core - 55 minutes Hill repeats, stair repeats, core intervals, all-around awesomeness Thursday, July 11 Run - 45 minutes, 4.75 miles Friday, July 12 Nothing Saturday, July 13 Bike - 3 hours 35 minutes, 44 miles, 5700 ft gain 4:20 total time Sunday, July 14 Swim - 35 minutes, 1 mile Run - 1 hour 35 minutes, 10.5 miles Seals were playing at Aquatic Park. Saw 3 of them, a little close for comfort. | Totals: Swim - 35 minutes, 1 mile Bike - 5 hours, 65 miles Run - 2 hours 20 minutes, 15.25 miles Cardio/Core - 55 minutes Total - 8 hours 50 minutes While I was climbing Diablo, my teammates were having a 5-hour spin-a-thon in Danville to support the cause. If their efforts or mine inspire you, consider a donation: www.ironlaura.com. |