Your Total Outside Miles 1/1-6/30/07?

[indysteel]

First and foremost, let me just congratulate everyone on a great year so far.
Well done!

Since March 11th, I've done 2225 miles on the road. My goal for the year is 4500, and short a long stretch of bad weather, I think I'll make it (knock on wood). This is my first full season riding, and so far I'm having a much better year all the way around than I ever imagined.

I typically do two longer weekend rides (60 miles on average) and two shorter (28-32 miles) weekday "training" rides each week. On most weeks, I get at least 150 miles in and have some weeks closer to or in excess of 200, too. What's great is that long rides seem less and less taxing, and I'm now started to push harder and harder on them, having a better idea of what kind of energy I have at my disposal.

I also wanted to get faster and feel like I'm making progress on that front. As long as I'm working in a fairly efficient group, I'm averaging (on the flats mind you) 19-20 mph and am averaging over 18 mph for my solo rides. As I've said in a few other threads, the speed alone wasn't a goal of mine, but I wanted to be able to ride comfortably with more and more friends and groups. It's nice to be able to show up at a group ride and know that I can hang at or near the front. Also, given how flat Indianapolis is, it's also one of the few ways that I can continually challenge myself.

My biggest goal, however, is that I wanted to get better at climbing. I simply didn't have the strength or aerobic base to climb well last year. My first really climbing ride at the Hilly Hundred last October was a disaster. I've made it a point to do all the the rides offered by my local club that involve hills (keep in mind that you have to go out of your way to hit hills in Central Indiana). I also went to the Horsey Hundred in Kentucky over Memorial Day and did my first century. I'm happy to report that I am getting better. I think the hills (especially the short and steep variety that we have in Southern Indiana) are as much a mental thing as a physical thing. So, as my technique and fitness level have gotten better, my confidence level has gone up, too. I was even complimented by a group of guys I passed on a short, steep hill at the ride I did on Saturday!

I lost a few pounds when I first started biking last summer and got back down to what I consider to be my ideal weight. I've been able to hold it steady for the most part since then. I've gotten better muscle tone in my legs and, thanks to yoga, my upper body looks better than it ever has too. I would stress that until last summer, I was a bit of a couch potato. I had no energy and spent way too much time doing nothing much at home. I wouldn't say that I was depressed exactly, but you'd never know it from my lifestyle.

Cycling and yoga (which I started doing at about the same time) have utterly changed my life. I don't miss any of my old bad habits or way of life, and feel like I'm in the middle of a miracle every time I get on my yoga mat or get on my bike. I feel fit and energetic. My body is toned and strong. I've made new friends and challenged myself in some many ways. In short, I think of myself and my life in a totally different light.



Kate