Building Volume

On August 20, 2011, I will be riding with thousands of others in Pelotonia 2011.

Last year I was a top 20 finisher, completing the course in less than five hours.

This year I want to do better. My goals, for now, remain mine. I'm not yet ready to share them!

I've ridden a lot this spring. Tuesdays I lead my spin class and then have my local group ride—two high-intensity workouts in a day. My Thursday commute into DC gives me a solid 50+ miles, of varying intensity and anxiety. Heavy on the anxiety. (All the near-misses are getting to me.)

I've also been triathlon training. Swim and run workouts fill the gaps (and make me tired).

But I haven't been building volume.

Getting Miles into My Legs

Hairless! Hooray!

I miss my long rides.

This is the time of year when honeysuckle and other early-summer flowers sweeten the air. It's a time for re-connection—with myself and with nature. It's a time for leg shaving and chamois cream. It's riding time!

I have the short stuff wired. I can ride in the pack, take long pulls, and have something in the tank for the sprint finish. As long as we're done in less than two hours.

So, it's time to get the miles into the legs. Not the high-intensity miles I will do in late July and early August—filled with hill repeats and sprint intervals. Nope. Now is the time for the five-to-six hour rides that build foundation.

Sunday was the first of these rides. Eighty-five miles. Five hours. Six thousand feet of climbing.

It was a pleasant start. Atmosphere was cool and moist, but not rainy. The overnight sheen remained on many of the roads. Deer and groundhogs everywhere. Birds singing. Nice.


I was riding solo. Nice.

I had a few issues. Between miles 42 and 45 I was shagged. I topped off my fuel and got my spirit back. Same again at mile 62. I need to be more conscious of my eating!

As I came into the home stretch, I put in a hard effort (as is my tradition). It felt good. I felt the power from my entire leg—bone deep.

Going deep is deeply satisfying. (I know, that was lame...but how else would you describe it?) It triggers hard-to acquire endorphins. It reminds you of how much work you have done. It inspires you to do more. It's truly a hard place to get to, but if you can get there, it's powerful juju.

I plan to revisit this weekend.

And the next.

And the next.

It's my training. It's my pleasure. It's real.

I'm getting ready.