Oh crap, I just signed up for Death Ride

[Vireo]

Good point about the altitude. Coming from SF (sea level) and then jumping up to 6000+, I did the mammoth century last year, and found that I was gasping for air at about 60 miles.

(mind you, I hadn't trained for a century at all, so it could have been *that*, too)

Thank you SO SO SO much for the advice and encouragement! I'm going to spend all of March working on mostly cadence and endurance miles, and come June, it's DRILLS TO THE HILLS.
I'm excited tho! Even if I don't end up with a spot on the ride, I'm thrilled to have some crazy goal in mind. I work well with specific goals! And by the time Mammoth comes around in September, I shall be fiddle-fit!

-- gnat!

Am I reading this right? You aren't going to start climbing until June?

[gnat23]

Er, no...! I mean, I'm starting to build up my base now, and increasing mileage and altitude each week to get to where I need to be for July. I just shake my head every time I see my plan for the weeks of June, because the numbers look ridiculous to me right now! "That's not human!" I think. I'm sure it will be fine once I get there if I stick to plan, but man, that month looks like more miles and climbing than I did all last summer. I'm trying to psyche myself up for it!

-- gnat!