The 4 hour barrier

[CR400]

Remember time in the saddle is ultimately dependent on how far you want to go and how long it will take you. If it only takes you 4 hours to do the 70 miles then great. Jump your training rides up to 80 or 90 to get the extra time. Oh and by the way if you can ride 80 miles you should go out and try the 112 somewhere. That is only 32 miles more then the 80. All you need is to be able to do 3/4 of the distance comfortably to be ready for the whole thing. My first year cycling I did a ride that was 60 miles long and then turned around the next week and did a century. Untill then my longest ride was a 50 miler, a few weeks before.

[Wahine]

Those are really good points CR400. I'm pretty sure I can do the 112 right now. I just gotta make myself do it. The tough part is that I want to do it several times before I race, and then some. So I know I can get off the bike and run my marathon with a fair amount in the tank. That's where I'm having trouble. I'm not worried about finishing anymore, so I tend to be less disciplined. It's easier to blow off workouts when you're not faced with the threat of not finishing. But at the same time, if I want to PR, I need to put the time in like you said.

But all these responses are going to help me get through the next long ride.