Yes, this day dawned, as they sometimes do on Midwestern spring mornings, rather chilly, in the 50s (Fahrenheit), so I had on a long-sleeved jersey and capri-length tights. These photos, which were taken by a reporter for a local newspaper, were shot near the end of the 63-mile course, and by that time the temp was probably in the 70s, but I wasn't uncomfortable even at that temperature. And yes, you may relate to S that I rode the full 63 that year, and the year before. It's really a nice ride.
This year we did the 40-mile loop, the "Shemp Shortcut." None of my friends had got much cycling in this year by May, largely because of lousy weather, so we weren't really ready for a longer ride. And because of my running, I had only ridden my bike maybe five times all year by this ride. Plus, I'd become somewhat burned out on cycling this year because in 2005 I'd done tons of it--almost 4000 miles. I did a brevet series of 200 km, 300 km, and 400 km that spring, and let me tell you, 400 km, which took us 23 hours and change, is way too much "fun." In 2006 I rode only one 200 km and a couple of century rides for fun, and I was pretty much burned out. I had got involved with RUSA (Randonneurs USA) in 2005, so my rides were sanctioned by that organization, and my name and times are recorded in the "big book" in Paris! For what that is worth.
A long-winded explanation for why I wimped out this year.
(the internet is a terrible tool for the very nosey)
Don't I know it, Ms. 3:19:46 (maybe?) in the Hastings Half Marathon. ;)
Wow! Wow! and Nah!halfofoneJune 10 2007, 16:51:08 UTC
That is seriously impressive cycling! I look askance at 50 miles. 400K is just gob-smacking. You are definitely let off the hook for doing 'only' 40m!!!
Re the Hastings Half Marathon: You might like to consider Caroline Allen's result at 2:42:23 crossing the line (2:38:34 adjusted by automatic chip timer) This was a lot slower than my previous 'best' of 2:17. Not exactly stellar I know. S did it in about 2:01 two years previous but she keeps getting injuries. I'm going to have a go at another one in October and try and do a little better.
One last Wow! SMG totally owns the flying nun award.
Re: Wow! Wow! and Nah!sr_m_grammaticaJune 10 2007, 17:04:30 UTC
Man, you are way too modest. 2:42 is stellar in my book. I can't remember my times in my half-marathons "back in the day," as my students inanely say, but a twelve-minute per mile pace is nothing to sneeze at. 2:01 is nothing short of astonishing, by the way. Atta girl, S!
My city has a half-marathon in October, as well, that I thought for about five seconds of training for. But then I realized I'd have to run 13 miles. Down that way lies burn-out. I have a tendency to get deeply into something then get sick to the death of it. See my above post. :)
Re: Wow! Wow! and Nah!halfofoneJune 10 2007, 18:09:49 UTC
I guess I was disappointed with the result because I had been training at slightly over 11 minute mile pace and hoping to get under 2:25 so it was a bust from that point of view.
Sorry I'm still reeling at the 400k cycle - it would take me a week!!! Susan loves cycling more than running but she has developed a neck problem that makes long distances really painful - she does 30 and 40 mile runs most weekends but she is extremely jealous of your achievements.
Re: Wow! Wow! and Nah!sr_m_grammaticaJune 10 2007, 18:51:51 UTC
Pshaw! A thirty- to forty-mile run (!!!!) puts anything I can do on a bicycle to shame. I have neck problems, too, and too much leaning over a road bike really exacerbates the problem. Tell Susan that if she wants to make riding a bicycle hateful, she should try a 400 km to be finished within a 27-hour time limit, although several randonners make it look easy (and fast). Perhaps she would be in that category. I'm slow, and I slowed down my riding partners. The upshot of the 400 is that there isn't enough time actually to rest, so most people just bust on through the ride to finish it as quickly as possible. In my case, I HAD to continue to ride with short breaks for food and fresh riding shorts (gah) or I would have been disqualified. We were really just one bad mechanical problem away from not finishing in the allotted time. Just as with my running, I never wanted to work very hard at my times. Just finishing is enough for me.
My friends went on to the 600 km and then a 1200 (Christ). The holy of holies, Paris-Brest-Paris 1200 km, is this year. You have to do a 200, 300, 400, and 600 km series to qualify in any year leading up the next PBP (held every four years). Frankly, I couldn't see spending four days on a bike with only a few hours snatched on the side of the road (sometimes quite literally) of rest. No. Cycling should be fun. But for some people, the endurance test is the thing, and to a certain degree that is true for me. But my endurance topped out long before the 400. Like the marathon, I'll never do another one.
Gawd, I am babbling.
You know, I had it narrowed down to two Carolines from London some time ago when I checked the website the first time and had pretty much settled on Ms. Allen, but today, I only remembered the other one. Sorry! No impugning of your time intended.
Re: Wow! Wow! and Nah!sr_m_grammaticaJune 11 2007, 06:06:34 UTC
The thought occurs to me here that by "run" you meant "ride," as in bicycle ride. That makes more sense. Still, that's about the most I do these days at a time. The gives me enough bike time for now.
Re: Wow! Wow! and Nah!halfofoneJune 11 2007, 10:10:22 UTC
You are quite right - You have to allow for the metaphorical shrapnel in my brain. Both words begin with R. My point which I clearly failed to make completely is that poor old S cannot manage more than 40 odd miles on a bike before it becomes too painful. She compensates by running (and I do mean running this time) 10 to 12 miles outings most weekends, several visits to the gym per week and weight training at home. Vacations are occupied with her favourite activity of all - hill-walking. I spend my vacations watching her rapidly receding backside as I steadily lose ground up some vertiginous slope - not a bad hobby now I think about it...she has been stir crazy for several months because of a leg injury and both me and the dog have had to avoid irritably discarded flying dumb-bells.
It has occurred to me once or twice that there is a slight possibility that she is addicted.
Sorry about the confusion - and I still think doing 400k in 23 hours is heroic.
Yes, this day dawned, as they sometimes do on Midwestern spring mornings, rather chilly, in the 50s (Fahrenheit), so I had on a long-sleeved jersey and capri-length tights. These photos, which were taken by a reporter for a local newspaper, were shot near the end of the 63-mile course, and by that time the temp was probably in the 70s, but I wasn't uncomfortable even at that temperature. And yes, you may relate to S that I rode the full 63 that year, and the year before. It's really a nice ride.
This year we did the 40-mile loop, the "Shemp Shortcut." None of my friends had got much cycling in this year by May, largely because of lousy weather, so we weren't really ready for a longer ride. And because of my running, I had only ridden my bike maybe five times all year by this ride. Plus, I'd become somewhat burned out on cycling this year because in 2005 I'd done tons of it--almost 4000 miles. I did a brevet series of 200 km, 300 km, and 400 km that spring, and let me tell you, 400 km, which took us 23 hours and change, is way too much "fun." In 2006 I rode only one 200 km and a couple of century rides for fun, and I was pretty much burned out. I had got involved with RUSA (Randonneurs USA) in 2005, so my rides were sanctioned by that organization, and my name and times are recorded in the "big book" in Paris! For what that is worth.
A long-winded explanation for why I wimped out this year.
(the internet is a terrible tool for the very nosey)
Don't I know it, Ms. 3:19:46 (maybe?) in the Hastings Half Marathon. ;)
SMG
Reply
Re the Hastings Half Marathon: You might like to consider Caroline Allen's result at 2:42:23 crossing the line (2:38:34 adjusted by automatic chip timer) This was a lot slower than my previous 'best' of 2:17. Not exactly stellar I know. S did it in about 2:01 two years previous but she keeps getting injuries. I'm going to have a go at another one in October and try and do a little better.
One last Wow! SMG totally owns the flying nun award.
Caro.
Reply
My city has a half-marathon in October, as well, that I thought for about five seconds of training for. But then I realized I'd have to run 13 miles. Down that way lies burn-out. I have a tendency to get deeply into something then get sick to the death of it. See my above post. :)
Nice time, Caro.
SMG
Reply
Sorry I'm still reeling at the 400k cycle - it would take me a week!!! Susan loves cycling more than running but she has developed a neck problem that makes long distances really painful - she does 30 and 40 mile runs most weekends but she is extremely jealous of your achievements.
Reply
My friends went on to the 600 km and then a 1200 (Christ). The holy of holies, Paris-Brest-Paris 1200 km, is this year. You have to do a 200, 300, 400, and 600 km series to qualify in any year leading up the next PBP (held every four years). Frankly, I couldn't see spending four days on a bike with only a few hours snatched on the side of the road (sometimes quite literally) of rest. No. Cycling should be fun. But for some people, the endurance test is the thing, and to a certain degree that is true for me. But my endurance topped out long before the 400. Like the marathon, I'll never do another one.
Gawd, I am babbling.
You know, I had it narrowed down to two Carolines from London some time ago when I checked the website the first time and had pretty much settled on Ms. Allen, but today, I only remembered the other one. Sorry! No impugning of your time intended.
You'll get 'em next year!
Best,
SMG
Reply
Cheers!
SMg
Reply
It has occurred to me once or twice that there is a slight possibility that she is addicted.
Sorry about the confusion - and I still think doing 400k in 23 hours is heroic.
Caro.
Reply
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