Many Miles (YNR Post)

By Lincoln Penner

Actually, it’s kilometres since I’m in Canada, but for the sake of alliteration…

In the last 7 days I’ve ridden 242km. Actually, it was over only 4 days with a bunch of work days in the middle, but it’s by far the longest I’ve ridden in any one week period ever. By more accomplished Ironman triathlete standards, that would probably be the distance you ride in one day, but I’m still happy with my success.

I really feel like I’ve gotten a good feel for how my body feels at certain RPE intensities and heartrates. I’m not sure how things will change once I get to 100 miles on an Ironman course, but it’s looking like I can maintain a good speed and cadence on flat-ish terrain at 125-135 bpm. Obviously hills and wind have differing effects on this, but during an IM race, keeping my HR in this range (so I’m told) is very important for success on the run.

Total training time this week was about 10 hours, almost all of it cycling. I’m really happy with this overall because I think cycling is the sport I’m most worried about vis a vis my overall triathlon fitness. I haven’t been in a pool in months and I still feel that my cycling needs to take priority. I’m not sure what that says about me…

…probably that I just don’t like swimming that much.