Friday, September 23, 2011

40.5 miles in 3 hrs 35 min for 11.3 mph

It's hard for me to believe that I was having trouble maintaining a 10 mph average for 20 or 30 miles, just a few weeks ago. Today, as I was finishing my 40-miler, which included hills, I was feeling stronger than I ever have.

I started at 7:25 am and finished at 11:00. Three hours and 35 minutes. That included a couple of brief stops along the way, including one necessitated by my gear-shift getting out of adjustment again. That translates to a 11.3-mph average.

If you use the figure from the computer on my bike, which says I was actually moving for only three hours and 21 minutes, it works out to 12.08 mph.

Now, six hours later, I feel only minimally stiff, and full of energy.

I have four days' rest before my birthday, and in the past that much rest has just made me stronger and faster.

I don't want to sound cocky, but I don't see -- short of some random mishap -- how I can fail to finish my ride well ahead of the 8 hours I set for myself . This could be a problem. I understand some folks are planning to greet me at the finish line, presumably around 4 pm. At this rate I could get to the finish line before any of the greeters are there!

Well, I'll work something out. And post whatever I come up with tomorrow or Sunday. Right now, I'll settle for basking in the sweet irony of the situation.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Hugh, well it sounds like you are really cruising!!! Oh if we could only be at the finish line - in spirit I guess!!!

    Happy trails!!!

    Deb and Joe

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  2. Greetings Hugh!
    You've been on my mind so often these days. I love reading your blog!
    Stay cocky and confident!
    Here are a few "Olympic Rules for Living" by Olympian Bonny Warner,inspirational speaker.
    They remind me of you!!!!
    Rule#1: You have to have a Dream to have a Dream come true.
    Rule#2: Champions set a series of intermediate steps to achieve their goals.
    Rule#3: Champions never day no to an opportunity.
    Rule#4: All champions have to start somewhere and quite often it is at the bottom.
    Ride like the Wind,Hugh Ferguson!
    Best of Health to You,
    Dawn

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  3. OOps! Rule #3: Champions never SAY no to an opportunity. My enthusiasm is 20, my eyes are 49.

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  4. Dawn, thanks to you, I learned #1 several months ago. Deb and Joe, wish you were here!

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  5. This kind of fitness doesn't come easy. You've been putting in some serious time on the bike. It's bound to start feeling easier. You're gonna get stronger and faster. I suspect that your followers are going to know where you are on your route during the birthday ride. I wouldn't sweat the finish line. Just enjoy the ride.

    One training recommendation....get plenty of sleep the next couple days. Getting some good rest matters more a couple of days before an event than the night before an event.

    I'll be rooting for you on the 28th.
    Leslie

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