Steep Is As Steep Does

March 18, 2009 -

I was Forrest Gump today on the bike. That is the only reason I can think of that I would voluntarily throw in six, steep, half-mile hill repeats into my 90 minute bike ride. I found this ride that heads out on moderate hills for 10 or so miles and then stops. Where is stops however, it empties onto a street that has a steep half-mile hill.

I have been hearing about the importance of adding hill repeats into the training and getting more nervous about the hills at Wildflower (an unofficial 70.3 famed for its difficult hills, which I am doing as a training race in May), so I thought I should get busy.

First time up I stayed seated a little over half way up and then had to stand-up and crank a bit. Second, third, fourth, and fifth time up I was stronger each time and stayed seated longer each time making almost all the way seated.

I thought the sixth time up would prove to be the one, but instead, it proved to me that my legs were dead. Hills are like a box of chocolates, you never know which one is gonna suck. For me it was six. I had to stand up similar to the first one, a little over half way. I cranked it out and then headed the 10 miles back.

Day 77 Training Log - 90 minute bike ride today turned into a hill repeat workout. All in all, a great ride. It was so nice being outside. I feel like I forgot how freeing it is to be hauling on your bike outdoors. I have been trapped inside too long. It was 50 degrees, kinda windy/kinda sunny, and all good.