Week #22 The final countdown to Unbound XL

 

Week #22 - 400 miles

Well it is just a few days before Unbound XL. I think that I am ready and have my bike prepared. The nice thing is I really didn't do much change from the setup for Iowa Wind and Rock. It will be nice to have aero bars back on the bike so I can have another position to get into when I get tired. Since IWAR I have done 2,343 miles in the last 6 weeks - 235, 413, 416, 478, 401, & 400 miles. I like to be consistent in my training. One of the big things I am trying to concentrate on is my nutrition / hydration during the race. I will have to make sure that I get a lot of food in me early parts of the race. While we don't have many stops, I need to really fuel up when we do stop. It looks like the weather is going to be favorable, but that could all change.

Week #21 Resting up & warming up!!

 

Week #21 - 401 miles

It was a good week of resting and still broke 400 miles. I rolled over 7,000 miles for the year, which compared to last year, is down, but still more than any other year. It has been nice not to try to push real big weeks but just keeping them steady and strong. On Wednesday was the Ride of Silence - for all of the cyclists that have been killed while out on their bikes. There was a good turnout even though the weather looked like it was going to rain. I think I have my bike figured out how I want it set up for Unbound XL. A couple of changes on the cockpit but otherwise it's dialed in. I feel like I am more rested going into this race than almost any other race. Hopefully that will pay off in the long run. The other nice thing is it's finally warmed up. It has seemed like it has been chilly for so long.

Week #20 Last training block complete before Unbound XL / New bike day!!

 

Week #20 - 478 miles

It's been 4 weeks since Iowa Wind and Rock and the body seems to have recovered well. With one down week (235 miles), I started back with a three week block of 413, 416, & 478 miles. Now I will have two weeks of resting up the body before race week. Unbound XL is going to be an extremely hard race since it is 350+ miles and we don't have that many opportunities to refuel. I have been working a little change up in the food I will carry and will try to stay really hydrated the first part of the race. All of these ultra events you learn a little more about what works and doesn't work.

Well I finally got my new Lauf set up. Not much different from my current bike , but I am back using aero bars. Still need to do a couple more tweeks to it otherwise it should be ready to go.

Week #19 500 days of riding!

 

Week #19 - 416 miles

Well I made it through 500 straight days of riding. Managed to get in 28,704 miles and averaged 57 miles per day. I never intended to do this long of a streak but it has been kind of fun. It really helped that last year there were not any races so I could just spend time riding. Actually I enjoy just training way more than racing any more. It is nice to see everyone and be competitive, but going out for a solo 8 hour ride is just as satisfying. That being said, Unbound XL is 26 days away. I feel like I have recovered well from IWAR and I will have a new bike tomorrow! Working on a couple changes for my nutrition that will hopefully work. Will try to get in one more good ride next weekend before resting up. It doesn't seem like I have been riding that much lately, but I have to remember that I have done a 200 miler & 340 miler already this year.

Week #18 Gettin' back in the groove

 

 

Week #18 - 413 miles

April - 1580 miles 

I was able to back to a 400+ mile week and got in 115 miles on Sunday. Not a bad week considering I got my second Covid shot and had to work all day on Saturday. For the most part my legs are feeling good and I only have 33 days until Unbound XL. I will probably get in a 140-150 mile ride in the next couple weeks but otherwise it is just maintain the fitness I have right now. Even though I don't feel like I have been riding that many miles this year, I am having by second biggest year ever. I hope to see if I can have a really big July again. I would like to shoot for 3,000 miles but not sure if that will happen.