YEAR OF THE BIKE
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Fri, 29 Jun 2007 by Michael Pajaro
I just signed up for Ironman Coeur d'Alene in June 2008. That's a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. I have ridden 112 miles before; I have run 26.2 miles before. But those events were separated by several months, not several minutes. So I have my work cut out for me.
As I hear time and time again, the key to doing an Ironman is being strong on the bike. A marathon is more strenuous than a century ride, but if you're not feeling good at mile 1, you won't make it to mile 26. Somehow you have to be not only fast on the bike (I will be fighting the 17-hour Ironman cut-off time) but energy efficient as well. Pacing yourself for an 8-or-9-hour bike ride (if I'm lucky!) so that you feel fresh to start a marathon is no easy task.
I have one year to become an expert cyclist. Sounds doable. The main problem is that I am not a morning person, and if I expect to get all the mileage in that I need, I am going to HAVE to start doing some early morning rides. To me, 5am sounds scarier than 112 miles.
