Of Mice and Marathons

PM: 5 hours 46' (101.3 miles). 196W. HR 141. 17.5 MPH.

Planned on a good 4-5 hours, but my pace was really solid through the first half as I was averaging in the upper 18 MPH range, so I figured 100 miles would be aroudn 5:20-5:30 so I  figured why not knock out another hundred this month. On the way back I got some solid winds that made portions unpleasant, but eventually settled into a rhythm. Hit Orion Oaks for a lap around 92 miles and around some of the the neighborhood roads to round it off. Felt a bit sluggish after 60-65 miles, but felt better a bit later in the ride. I don't think I ate or drank enough. I did do a 10' interval at 4 hours 30', That was 278 watts (284 normalized) 20.7 MPH HR 166. 

I think that is three hundreds this month. Last year I did 1 and I had only done 1 one other time in 2020. They are definitely getting easier. 

AM: 6.3 miles, averaged 10:27. HR 119.

PM: 6.2 miles, averaged 9:39. HR 123.

Saw 5 snapping turtles in under 3 miles in the morning. I guess the rain woke them up from the swamps or something. Legs felt very good in the evening.

PM: 90' on the trainer. 226W. HR 141. 

2 x 20'

Decided to do this session rather than a zone 2 ride or one of the shorter sessions I was thinking about. I was hoping for about 310-315, but I didn't quite push that power. Couldn't quite find my cadence. HR was solid. This was a good deal stronger than when I last did it at the end of September. 

302 watts @ 161 BPM

298 watts @ 164 BPM

AM: 6.4 miles, averaged 8:28. HR 143. 

8 x 45" w/ 75" Recoveries

Just a little something aroudn 5k effort to sharpen up for the half marathon this weekend. Got my hair cut and took a solid nap. Did some minor yard work here and there and fixed a few small things. 

PM: Off. Planned to run, but the time got away from me.

]AM/Lunch: 8 miles, averaged 8:11. HR 144.

PM: Thursday Night Dirt - 3 hours 13' (58.2 miles @ 18.0 MPH). 205W. HR 142.

Met up with one of my fellow Lake Orioners on the way over as I took a different route as my typical cross roads had been graded or sprayed or both. It was nice to chat. Decided to do A group and we turned into the group as they were headed up Sheldon. I wasn't sure how my legs would feel after running a bit steadier than I typically do in the morning on Thursdays. 

Moved up in the group so as to be able to draft but not have too many people around me. Moved up more as we headed up Dequindre and took a turn pulling. Intended to pull off for the next guy to pull, but a small group came by and I couldn't. I guess my pace was too slow or something, so they went by and the group latched on to them and a gap formed into the Proving Grounds and I never recovered. Ticked me off, but I guess they really didn't do anything wrong, just didn't seem proper. So I still ended up getting dropped in the Proving Grounds, but did better staying close earlier on. I think I will just need to be more aggressive. 

I played chase the entire ride and actually kept the pace I was on, even speeding up as my averaged speed kept climbing to over 19MPH inlcuding the ride over, so I knew I was solidly above 20MPH for the loop and hoping for 21-22. My power also continuted to climb out of the 250 range into the 260 range and up to 265, which makes sense given I was alone. My legs felt incredibly strong and I could have pushed even harder, but I was around 160 BPM and figured I was already working decently and didn't want to make it too much of a race. I was pleased with how I was able to push solo and never slow down.

Loop Data: 21.1 MPH, 262 Watts, HR 159

Chatted for a few minutes and then one of the guys asked if I was headed out, which I decided to do as I wasn't super keen on going to the bar. The food is subpar, I'm not drinking, and it was going to be cooling down rapidly. Best to conitnue riding anyway.

PM: 4.4 miles, averaged 10:09. HR 123. 

Legs a little sluggish, but that is what happens when I delay a recovery run or only do one a day. Warm and dry. Quite pleasant other than the cottonwoods shedding and giving me grief.

PM: 60' on the trainer. 207W. HR 121.

Decided to ride rather than run because I was worried if my legs felt would blow my confidence for tomorrow. Headed to Ann Arbor to race a half marathon. Weather looks decently cool for June.