At 78 years old it strikes me as against expectations
that I would be wondering how I can improve my Ultra Cycling performance. Being in good health and decent shape
supports what has always been my interest in mentally and physically
challenging activities.
Several weeks ago, I found myself testing my
capacity for intense heat tolerance while cycling. I was reminded of the difference between a reckless
risk and a calculated risk.
Here in Arizona during June and July the temps routinely exceed 100F /
38C. Cycling (at any age) in the midday
intense heat is dangerous. Over a two-week
period, I found my limits. It was important,
meaningful and satisfying. (https://psychling1.blogspot.com/2024/06/managing-intense-heat-on-recumbent-bike.html).
At my age limitations and losses are to be
expected and respected. In my work as a 2-day
a week private practice psychologist, husband, father and grandfather cycling
ranks fifth on my list of priorities. But
it IS a priority. The challenge that
fuels intense curiosity and discipline.
I began my interest in Ultra Cycling in 2009
on the recumbent (Bacchetta Ti Aero), setting two cross-state speed and
endurance records (Indiana and Illinois).
Over the years I’ve learned humility and respect. Many of my entries at ultra events have ended
poorly. Yet, it has been these losses
that have resulted in the most learning.
Painful and costly learning, but learning, nonetheless.
Looking back, I cite three events that I could not finish. (2010: Race Across the
West; 2017: Race Around Ireland; 2023: Silver State 508). The rest, I stopped due to lack of
conditioning or simply suffering.
Now, a few changes to my training regimen and
`mindset’ suggest that I may be able to successfully complete future challenging
ultra events.
First, due to the intense hot weather, I have been training indoors. I have the Bacchetta Ti Aero set up on a Zwift
Hub Smart Trainer (Zwift.com). Along with
the Fulgaz Indoor Cycling App I can virtually simulate riding/racing on vastly different
cycling courses all over the globe.
Training indoors offers significant
efficiency. Instead of the time-consuming
logistics of driving to, setting up for and driving back from outdoor training
courses I can hop on the Ti Aero and be `on my way’ in minutes. I can `ride/train’ instead of `drive/set up’. My hours on the bike have significantly
increased and the structure (hard days, recovery days, etc.) of my training has
significantly improved.
Without question there are downsides to
training indoors (boredom, etc.). It
takes a level of motivation and discipline.
And that is where a good indoor cycling app comes in. It mitigates a good deal of the boredom (but,
certainly, not all of it).
Second, `suffering’. As I have mentioned
in earlier blog posts, I have found myself `losing interest’ in long (time and
distance) events. Losing interest’ is
another way of saying I am giving up because a) it hurts, b) it is too
depressing from the neck up (stinkin’ thinkin’).
The latter (`stinkin’ thinkin’) is best exemplified by my failed participation in the Natchez Trace 444 Mile (https://ultracycling.com/calendar/natchez-trace-444-2024/).
Starting in the late afternoon it became very
cold. At 2:00 AM the next morning I stopped
and got in the van to rest/sleep/warm-up.
At daybreak I began riding again.
After another fifty miles I began thinking about how I was going to be riding
for at least another day before I reached the end. And thinkin’, and thinkin’, and
thinkin’… I stopped at approximately mile 208. I was physically capable of continuing. But … I stopped.
And here is where it is important to
consider, again, the difference between a reckless risk and a calculated
risk.
An ultra cycling event is, without question, destructive
to your body. And, especially at
advanced (78) age, it is important to pay close attention to the effect of
extreme stress to the body.
Finally willing to admit that I have stopped riding
due to stinkin’ thinkin’ I have the challenge of persisting in the face
of suffering and adversity.
Flash:
New training technique.
Indoor trainer.
Two iPads.
1. Synced to both the Zwift Hub and the Fulgaz Cycling App
2. The other mounted on the handlebar allowing me to read via Kindle while I train.
Big reduction in boredom, increase in time on the bike/trainer. Makes training more (time and distance) vastly improved.
Major `breakthrough'.
---------------------------------
At this point I have two competitive events scheduled
for 2024. The first is the Mid Atlantic
12/24 (https://midatlanticultrasports.com/)
on August 10th. The second is
the World Time Trial Championship (24hrworlds.com) on November 1st.
If I stick to my current `efficient’ training
plan I will discover if it is also `effective’.
Always learning.
