Am I nuts?

[OakLeaf]

This isn't a tri question, but I'm posting here because it's a multi-sport training question...

I'll be 50 in November and I want to do something to commemorate that event.

Two weeks before my birthday is my local marathon/half. I'm only thinking about doing the half. Right now, my long run is 7 miles.

Three weeks before that is a very tough local two-day ride. One that I never had the nerve to do even when I was racing. But it's pretty much The Ride that locals have to do to prove their mettle. Last year, my conditioning was such that I probably would've been able to finish one day, but it wouldn't have been fun, and I definitely couldn't have done both.

Now, I don't have any doubt that I could do both events. But, what I want to get a sense of is how much commitment it would take. Having burned out very hard once before, I'm pretty serious about keeping my training half-assed. I don't want to put myself in a place where I'm too tired to do my gardening, for instance. Where I'm going to fret if I'm sick for a few days. And I know DH won't tolerate it if I can't throw myself into a vacation.

I know you all will have some wisdom for me. Let's hear it!

[Veronica]

What's the ride?

I don't think you're nuts. But maybe that's 'cause I'm a little nutty myself.

Veronica

[HillSlugger]

I won't address your general sanity but it sounds like you've got a long time to get yourself into shape where doing both of these events would not be crazy at all. I think 3 weeks inbetween events is more than enough to be ready for the 1/2 mary.

How tough is this ride?

[OakLeaf]

The ride is the Columbus Fall Challenge. It doesn't have its own website and the route varies from year to year. Typically it's 105-115 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing each day. Few if any climbs over 1 mile - we don't have many of those in Ohio - but many shorter ones over 15%.

The half mary is pretty flat. Amazing the difference in terrain a few miles makes... shows you where the glaciers stopped.

[jobob]

I'm pretty serious about keeping my training half-assed.

That is simply... brilliant.


There's a double century the weekend before my 50th and I've already booked the hotel room (cottage, actually). So I can relate.

[Veronica]

Solvang Fall Jo? Want company for your birthday bash? Maybe I'll feel like a double by then. Maybe the tandem will be done and you can suck our wheel.

My bike is collecting dust right now - 26 miles of running in Jan. 31 miles of biking.

Some time off was a good thing, I think.

Veronica

[tribogota]

Definitly think that if you will enjoy both events you should do both events. You don't need to go that fast or that strong, just go, so you can keep training at the sane level. I know people don't like to do it, but they CAN slow down when they are tired on the bike, AND, they CAN walk in a marathon....

[channlluv]

You know what? You only turn 50 once. I say go for both, and what a hell of a story your grandkids will be telling about you, if you have them. You can go on vacation after the events - a second honeymoon to celebrate what a lucky man your hubby is to have such a hot, fit wife.

I say go for it. Not a lot of 50-year-old women can say they've done a century and a half-marathon in the same month, much less ever.

Do it. You so totally rock.

Roxy

[SadieKate]

I'll be 50 in November and I want to do something to commemorate that event.

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la! I can't hear you!

This must be The Year.

I'm focusing on Bubba's 60th next month. 'Course I haven't done a darn thing in preparation. Sumthin will come to me. Ah, he's a guy. I can keep it simple.

[Crankin]

I say that if you can keep your training half assed and feel pretty confident you can finish both, do it. Otherwise, I am at the point where I cannot let this stuff run my life. I understand what you are saying completely.
Which is why I don't compete in any events.