A Dark Tuesday Ride

This Ride: 22.2 miles
Month: 529.3 miles
2011: 6,448.9 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 12568.6 miles

The Severna Park Peloton is still in the normal weekly routine even though it is now dark for our entire ride. That means that today was Terrible Tuesday, and while the speed is not quite as fast as when it is light out in the morning, the rides are still very fast for me.

We had seven riders out this morning (once we were all assembled) and it wasn’t long until we had split into three distinct yet varying groups.  I was riding the Kona.  I decided I would try to increase my best time on the Old County Road section, and pushed it hard, passing most people up the hill.  My heart rate spiked to 178 and I kept pushing until I hit what I though was the end of the “course” (I’m still uncertain where it is).  Unfortunately, when I got back home and compared my time on Strava to my previous best, it was lacking by 1.8 mph.  I have no idea how I managed that speed earlier when I consider how I gave it my all this morning.  Burned out now, I was alone in the middle of the pack occasionally seeing tail lights ahead and glimpses of headlights behind.

Brian R was waiting for me at the turn around, and we rode back, picking up Bryan N along the trail.  We talked training, and Brian, who has training experience has promised to give me some decent numbers which he says will help me increase my speed.  I’m anxious to get them from him. I still work too hard for the speed I am able to achieve.

I’m quite a ways from my monthly goal, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to pick up 270 miles by the end of the month.  But the important thing is for me to keep going and logging the miles.  Maybe Brian can help me focus on specific ride goals a little more often.

Yesterday I tentatively scheduled foot surgery for January 6th.  I’ve been told that I need to stay off the bike for six weeks post surgery.  I’m not looking forward to those six weeks.