…and I finished five minutes faster than I ever have before! Over a 1:15 course, that’s a small but significant change. Usually it takes me between 1:20 and 1:30 to complete the Portola Loop (from my starting place in Menlo Park). I’m psyched.
(Granted, I was pushing myself harder than I have in the past, but still, that’s quite a difference. I was expecting it to take me more like 1:25.)
So anyway, I’m happy. I think I can more or less stop thinking of myself as “out of shape” – I’m in about as good condition as I was in October, when I stopped training regularly.
Onward and upward!
Hi Tien,
Hope you don’t mind this message. First, congrats on winning a lottery slot, and good job on the Portola loop. This year I failed to win a ticket. I have been leaving requests like this on BBS’s and Blogs: If you know of someone who has a ticket and cannot make use of it please have them consider me. More than willing to pay market price. My email is left with your blog.
Thanks for listening.
Regards,
Brian
Tien,
Looks like you are now, where I was last year – training for the Death Ride!
I finished all 5 passes last year. I had never done something at this level before in my life.
One piece of advice – get this ebook, read it and live it.
http://www.arniebakercycling.com/books/b_ace_dr.htm
If it wasn’t for Arnie Baker’s book, I would not of finished the entire ride.
Before getting this book, I was training on too step of a climb, not using a trainer to practice pulling up, and didn’t have a heart monitor.
You’ve got 3 months to go. You should be able to to 70 miles in a day with 7,00 of climbing by now.
Training and preparation is how one get’s thru this ride. Luck has nothing to do with it.
The feeling of completing an epic journey like this will stay with you forever! It’s a wonderful feeling.