Brains and Heart - Smart Training.

A few years ago I wrote a brief blog post about the difference between Epic v. Intelligent Training.  At that time I was training for the Race Around Ireland.  (This is the Race Report for the Race Around Ireland).

I've learned a great deal about how to train for significant ultracycling events over the years.  I'm hoping that this year (2019) demonstrates what it is that I have learned.  In short: train from the neck up; race with all your heart.  

As the Spring weather has arrived and the snow and ice has retreated I find myself well on my way toward the three goals of training: 

1. consistency; 
2. volume; 
3. and intensity.  

Yesterday was `intensity': a very tricky, dangerous and powerful factor in effective training.  Compounding the training is a practical recognition of my age (73) and how that impacts effective training.  

I'm doing quite well with consistency.  Four and five days each week on the bike; either the stationary bike or cycling on the road (depending upon the training task and/or the weather).  Volume is picking up, as well.  A few hundred plus mile training events and several fifty mile plus training events.  

Yesterday I introduced (carefully) intensity to my training.  A sixty-five mile spikey course (Four Laps in Skull Valley).  This is a 16.2 mile out and back with about 725 feet of spikey climbing on each lap.  

Today was an active rest day.  That is, I put in two hours on the stationary trainer doing easy spinning.  I was tired from yesterday.  I felt significant leg muscle soreness from yesterday.  My body tells me to back off a bit. 

Tomorrow I'll be back on the Skull Valley course, probably four laps.  But with less intensity.  And the next day ... a combination of volume and intensity on a different course.  Next week, Saturday, I'm off to do a 200 mile invitational (Hemet, CA,).  Training task?  Volume.  

VULTURE MINE ROAD 200

The weather in central and northern Arizona has been unusually wet, cold and windy this year.  That means outdoor training has been meager.  At this time of year I would typically find myself driving hundreds of miles east or west to participate in cycling events.  But given the pittance of training miles thus far this year that would be an unwise expense.  

On March 23rd there are two 200 mile events that beg my interest.  The first is the RAAM Challenge in Texas.  The other is the Solvang California 200 mile recreational ride.  The Texas event would be a 2,200 mile round trip and about $500 expense.  The California event would be a 1,400 mile round trip and a $450 expense.  Both events would require at least two days of driving.  

The terrain near my home is exceptionally good and challenging for cycling.  So I've decided to construct a few local courses in order to get some long miles under my wheel.  

West of Wickenburg, (and west of Phoenix) AZ, is a good quality road that is lightly travelled by vehicles.  Vulture Mine Road.  

The Vulture Mine Road 200 - Flat or the Vulture Mine Road 200 - Climby is a 140 mile round trip and an $80 (gas and food) expense.  

So I'll probably be doing the Vulture Mine Road events at the end of March and beginning of April.  That should give me the training opportunities that are within my physical reach, mileage reach and expense reach.