Share The Road - Training #6

May 2, 2005

All good in the hood. Not a long distance pull this morning -- a little concerned with the business of the day, so I probably pulled a solid 30-35 in a little less than two hours. That's not bad. Tomorrow morning might be a great time to pull out the long-awaited ride to Leo Carillo. It's about 64 miles round trip and just as pretty as anything. There are some serious hills along the way -- the Pepperdine hill not the least of them. But you know, the great thing is after riding Mt. Diablo, I've gained a lot more confidence so that these other hills don't seem nearly so bad.

This morning was a great example of that. I rode up Temescal Canyon from PCH (south Malibu/north Santa Monica). I rode that same hill about a month ago and it about killed me. It was good work this morning, no doubt, but I had the experience and confidence within me that I could handle it -- I knew how, I had trained properly and I would do it if I just set my mind to it. And I did.

So tomorrow -- we'll see. I'll try to get an earlier start so I don't get too blasted by the sun -- maybe 5 AM. A little ride in the darkness, but it keeps me out of the heavier traffic, too -- always appreciated. 

May 3rd, 2005

Man -- I had the hardest time getting going this morning. I know I've been pushing harder the last week and a half or so and that just might be it -- I'm going for longer rides now so it's just taking more out of me (and I do feel that during the day). I'm acutally really hyped up in my mornings (now) and okay in the afternoon, but I hit the wall around 6-7PM. That's a bit early for my taste...then again, I am getting up at 5:30 for the training.

It may just be a tradeoff I'm getting used to.

At any rate, the ride ended strong -- I think I was somewhere in the 40 mile range today. It's really hard to tell because many of my paths twist and turn and don't follow major roads so I can't mapquest them. Hopefully I'll have my meter reader soon so I can get a more accurate feel of my speed and distance. 

May 3rd, 2005

A note from a friend:


Dear Rob,
You keep going man. Sounds crazy, but if you got the heart, you can do anything!

Mark Tarrant

May 4th, 2005

Logged about 55 miles today and felt great. I really wanted to push for more but I had an interview with an agent today and the need for money is pressing, big time, so -- it is what it is.

Actually, my goal was just another 3-4 miles up the road -- Leo Carillo State Beach. The reason it's a goal is that it's one of my favorite places to camp -- just simple and nice and right across the freeway from the ocean -- nice.

It's fun to feel myself growing as a rider. I got a tune up yesterday and felt the difference in the ride. I get tired, no doubt, but my recovery time is quicker. And ya know -- that's the same way with life. We're going to have hills and be out of breath and struggle, but how we handle the hill and how fast we recover from the hill is the dealio.

It's all a journey.