For the next three months, I'll be working to build up my stamina, In late June (24th-30th), I'm registered to ride PALM (the Pedal Across Lower Michigan), and while no individual day will be a challenge beyond me (since my longest day's ride so far is 50 miles), stringing six long days together consecutively will be a good challenge for me. Their site shows the mileage as 41-46-45-44-41-31, and here is a map of the route.
Riding just shy of 250 miles in 6 days will be a challenge—but I fully expect the biggest part of that challenge to be the mental aspect. This is precisely what I experienced when I ran marathons in 1984 and 1991 (the Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota both time). Not that running 26.2 miles was anything to sneeze at ... but I found the contemplation of the feat to be tougher than the actual physicality of it.
So today was a first dipping of my toe in the water toward building up my endurance. I went out at 11:15 and rode consecutive round trips to Marsh Park for the first time since Feb. 22, completing the 18 miles in 2:12. I'm happy to note also that the snow and ice which impeded the sidewalk that takes me down to the beginning of the trail is now wholly gone (one hopes until November or December).
Today was a "milestone" day, in that I went over 300 miles for the year. I'm a little behind last year, as last year I reached the 300-mile plateau on March 11. In fact, I reached 400 on March 18, and 500 on March 29. So I clearly have some catching up to do. But I'm game for the challenge.
You go guy! Now you have me thinking about PALM again. rob
ReplyDelete