Today is Sunday and Coach Joe calls for a long ride, 3+ hours. We just had about a foot of snow in the Chicago area the roads are slippery and snow covered. The only sane option is riding inside at the bike gym. There is a cross-country ski option but skiing by myself for 3 hours is totally not appealing.
I begin to psych myself up Saturday by repeating the mantra: I ride with a bunch of great people, I love the banter and the camaraderie. Before I describe the ride let me set the scene. We ride in a large open space, 30 x 30 with 20 computrainers in 2 rows of 10 at the front of the room. There are 3 large flat panel TVs and music blaring to provide motivation. The music is usually alternative rock or horrors rap. The TVs display a course that has been preprogramed. There courses are area Triathlon rides or other made up rides. On the screens we can see gradient of the road, from flat to plus or minus 5% grade, total watts, average watts, distance, calories, and position in your group of 8, this will be important later. The computrainer controls the ease of pedaling depending on the gradient. (The pictures above is of another computrainer course we ride and my cadre of mature riders.)
The room is usually cool when we start, in the low 60's. However the room quickly heats up as 20 bodies work up a sweat. It would not be unusual for the room to get as warm as 70 by the end of the ride. But enough of the background I an burying the lead.
Hear is the magic question. What do we do inside on the bike for 3 hours? Today I was between Scott a triathlete and Dennis, my usual riding buddy and new VQ member. The first hour goes by quickly as we get use to the course.
Dennis "I am not doing the course I am beat from yesterdays ride this looks insane." The course is 4 repetitions of rolling hills, there does not seem to be any flat areas.
Me "I had a stomach bug for the last couple days so I feel fresh; I am definitely doing it."
Dennis "OK I'm doing it also."
That is how we start and then we spend 30mn just settling in. I lean over and talk to Scott, we catch up on each others week, I learn more about his goals for 2009 and he asks about my goals. Then we enter into a really deep conversation about riding hard and goals.
Scott says the key is to have a positive goal like "I am going to podium," vs. a negative goal like "Don't finish last." Then Scott asks the 64 dollar question, "What is your goal?", which hits me like a kick in the ass. My goal is mostly to survive or to beat a certain time. Basically I am just getting used to being called an athlete. I still consider myself a weekend warrior. I feel that I am not worthy of a podium goal. However last year I worked out for an average of 10 hours a week and road over 5600 miles, a new personal best. I have to admit, I am not a weekend warrior I am fully committed, or at least I am ready to be committed.
What is my goal? In my mind I go over the facts- I have been riding hard for 3 years. I have improved 25%, I have lost 10 pounds, I am riding better than I ever have. But my age group is very competitive. The A riders are significantly better than I am, these guys are Cat 1-3. I am a Cat 4-5. Cat 1/2 riders will average 25 mph on a ride that I will average 18-20mph.
What is my goal? The goal has to nourish my competitive spirit, provide me with motivation to train hard and to ride hard. Riding the ETape in 9.5 hours does not seem good enough. I am going to bike camp in a few weeks, Solvang. The big event at bike camp is a monster race on a very hilly coastal road. Last year I came in 34th, the middle of the pack and was totally spent by the race and the week of incredible cycling. This year there are less participants but I would like to be in the top 1/3, that means top 12. That seems ridiculous. I also would like to chop 15mn off my time and finish in 1:30 or better.
My goal? Finish the ETape in 9 1/2 hours and finish the Solvang race in 1:30. I've done it now I am committed.
The goal discussion has taken 1/2 hour after a 1 hour warm-up. Wow on 1 1/2 hours to go. I wonder what other scary things we can talk about to pass the time?
