Goals, Miles, and training

Since it is virtually the end of July, I thought I would update my goals, miles, and training information.

So far in the month of July I have rode 206 miles at an average of 18.5 mph. I am planning on riding tonight on the trainer, and Saturday morning with the CA pools racing team. That should give me approximately 50 more miles this month.

I have set a goal to ride 1200 miles in a calendar year. I read on a website a long time ago that if you break it down its only 25 miles a week or 100 miles a month. It seemed easy but things always came up and I never could get to 1200 miles.

Last year was a wash because I my surgery kept me off my bike from April until September or October. In 2008 I rode 948.50 miles with an average of speed of 15.7 mph.

This year started out really busy. I started graduate school and I was working. I didnt ride much in the beginning of the year. In fact between January and April I only topped 100 miles once.

The last 3 months have been pretty high mileage and I think I have a good shot at breaking 1200. So far I have rode 753 miles averaging 16.6 mph. If my rides go as planned for the rest of the week I would be close to having a 100 mile cushion for the rest of the year.

Next year my goal is going to be 2000 miles. It will be a little harder but I am averaging 175 miles per month for the last 3 months and I think that I can keep that pace.

After I return from Europe in September I am planning on riding with the CA pools racing team on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They help me push myself hard and I feel comfortable leading the pack because I know that there isnt going to be someone there to pull me off if I fall off the back of the group.

My plan is to get strong enough to be able to pull during a race and still have the energy to finish well. This will be extremely important if I want to try to get in a breakaway and survive.

This year I have looked for a breakaway a few times but they are mostly unorganized and difficult to judge. I considered joining the break away in my last race, but I was worried that it would cost to much energy considering it was a CAT 4-5 race. The breakaway didnt survive and most of those riders quit when they were caught by the rest of the field.

Up next is the Brentwood criterium. Brentwood is a rich area near Downtown Los Angeles, and is the home of UCLA. I am looking forward to smooth street, big houses, and a fast peloton.