Up till now all of my training has been indoors on rollers. I know that my rollers don't fully simulate road work, beside the fact I don't need to steer or watch where I'm going. And so I've tried to really push my training so I could be as prepared as possible when I finally could make it onto the road. I've done a good job. Last weekend I did 82 miles in 4:40, which works out to 17+ mph average. Not bad. The first time I did 80 miles on the rollers it took me 5:37. In just a few weeks I dropped over an hour off my time. the first time I did 40 miles, I averaged about 12 mph. All this tells me big improvements in short periods are possible.
I had the opportunity this weekend to take a bike on the road. After spending a chunk of Saturday adjusting the bike, I did a bit of climbing today in an empty parking garage. I did an hour on my rollers first.
It was a humbling experience. If I were one to be discouraged, I'd be sad right now. However, as I look back on where I started and how much I've improved on the rollers, I know with focused training I'll improve by leaps and bounds. As tough as today was, it was easier than my first day on the rollers. And my positioning needs some improvement, which will help. The rest just involves time and effort. That I can do. In the end all we can do is our best. In the end everything works out
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3 comments:
Rachel, congratulations on reaching this important milestone. Do not be discouraged, and know this... because you have the heart of a champion, the victory is already yours. I only hope my words can inspire you 1% as much as yours have inspired me.
Please continue training and blogging, write down anything and everything that you feel matters. I believe that you probably have a much bigger following than you can possibly know. I for one, read blogs often but yours is the first one on which I've felt a need to comment. Think of this, for all of those who have already discovered this great blog and those who will soon, no matter what you write; all of it will touch someone in some way.
I once heard Arthur Ash state that he learned to love tennis as much when he was getting beat as he does when he is winning. You seem to embody that same spirit.
I don't care if on my mile you only average 2 MPH, or 30 minutes (I like the math games too) I'm already crying tears of joy, pure joy for your great performance. The next time it gets tough, and it will, just know that this weekend one more fan found your blog. And I'm out here in the Ether shouting silently at the top of my lungs: 'you go girl, you're looking great'! God Bless You.
Jim B.
one day at a time
Your experience is like mine when kayaking. At the start of the season I struggle to complete a 2-3 mile paddle in slow times. Within a short period of time my time is reduced and distance traveled increases dramatically. I think there are multiple physical and mental reasons for this improvement. I just wish they made an adaptive paddling machine for dry land usage.
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